Memorial Day

Nick's class got up and personal with a Black Hawk Helicopter last week in honor of Memorial Day.  He didn't make it into the clip, but many of his classmates and his teacher did!

Click here to see

Thanks vets for all that you have given for our country!  I may not agree with the wars or decisions of some of our country's administrations, but I most certainly respect and appreciate the sacrifices that so many have made.

Here is a little more on the week's activities

Your Own Piece of Paradise!

The Sidell-Petersons have made the tough choice to sell their beautiful home in Levant in order to move closer to their jobs and family here in Hampden. Their place is spacious and gorgeous, plus located just 10 minutes from the airport. Anyone who's been to Maine in the spring and early summer has experienced the black flies and mosquitoes, but you typically get a break from them here; the beauty of Maine, without getting eaten alive. That is truly priceless! Please check it out below and pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested!

T ball

Tim decided he wanted to try T ball this spring and what a hoot it has been!





Thankfully, alot of parent participation is encouraged because most of the kids need direct instructions on what they are supposed to be doing at any given moment

Mother's Day Weekend Part 2

On Mother's Day, we continued the Sidell family fun with a morning visit from the fam as the Kettell Clan began their journey south.

The weather was fantastic so we ventured outside and roamed around the yard. The kids spent a little time collecting as many dandelions as they could (but they didn't even make a dent)


There was some playing


Spring was definitely in the air


and the mothers were celebrated


No party would be complete without a field trip to see the chickens


A great mother's day!

Birthday Celebration Part 2

We re-convened Chez Sidell-Petersons for the seond part of Soren's birthday extravaganza.

Thankfully, the rain held off and the kids could play outside


although they did manage to actual entertain themselves by actually playing the games in the game room


It was a bug-themed birthday party so we enjoyed some bug cake


and then proceeded to burn off some of the sugar (thanks Stan and Amanda P!)


while the paparazzi took it all in


Welcome to 4 Soren!

My big kid

Nick as an astronaut


Nick has also been working on a 1000 piece puzzle with Greg. It's amazing the patience he has! After working on the puzzle for a while, he said to Greg "Do you ever think that the whole world is just a puzzle and we didn't know it?" Move over Nietzsche!

Mother's Day Weekend Part 1

The Kettells came up from Massachusetts for a weekend full of excitement and fun!

We started with a little playdoh excitement


and Fiona had the pleasure of helping me pick up the boys from school


The kids knew that if they did a good job with their dinner, they would probably get some dessert so they all tried to trick the parents by unloading their vegetables on Tim, the only one who'd eat them.


On Friday, we pulled Nick out of school for a little family fun and headed out to camp.


Amanda and I started a fire with pine needles and wet wood (despite that we'd been told it couldn't be done)


The kids had a great time and all played together


while the moms huddled around the fire trying to keep warm


and then relaxed on the beach once the sun came out


There was the obligatory marshmallow roasting


and even some posing


The kids showing me their new eyebrows


and working together to unearth clay


kicking back with a snack


and going shirtless (don't ask me)


and showing off their pits (thanks Nick)


This of course was followed by several laps around the house


to finish off a great start to the weekend!