A week with too much illness

This week I got to try out a cool new restaurant while taking mom out for a much belated Mothers Day.

We went to Vini Culture a wine bar in downtown Frederick.

They have an interesting angle. There are wine vending machines and a token card and at each table a menu full of details about each wine. 

You put the card in a slot and chose dispense size (1 oz or 4 oz or a full cup) Mom tried a super expensive ($120) wine and an organic wine and something she had heard about on the radio. She had a really good time. The kitchen made their own hummus and tapanade and some very good veggie options. I also had a good time.

I got a new fish for my desk named Hector.

I finally got some automation going at work. This is what I was brought to the group for and it is working very well. I am relieved to be doing something useful and unique.

I got another new fish for my desk name Andromache.

It rained all week again.

After baseball Kiernan and I even saw a rainbow.

I have a friend at work named Michelle. She used to do bird rescue/rehab. It is good to work with biologists.

We have been going on walks and she has shown us lots of baby birds and active nests.

This little chick is fine and dandy.

This nest from a Baltimore Oriole.

These prints are unidentified. 

Its all been very birdy and sweet around here.

On Friday I took Megan to the Library.

We had a very solid few hours with no rain. I ran out of the house to sun myself and get warm.

Pax decided to join me on the hammock.

After that was the gym. I majorly didn't want to get off the hammock.

I feel like I should get a medal for going to the gym.

Megan wanted to stay home too. She was watching princess play doh videos.

I bribed her with a trip to Noodles and Company.

Once Kiernan got off school he got to go to California Tortillia and then to get a much needed haircut.

On my work walk Friday evening I saw two cool things.

I saw a turtle laying eggs and a small wild  pansy.

On Saturday we got rained out from both baseball games so we went to Scearce's.

We hung out and gave poor David (still sick) a little grown up time.

While there we ate fresh brownies and some pizza.

The kids got to pester grandpa and splash in mud puddles and run about with abandon.

On Saturday night we were to go into the woods for a big campfire and bridging ceremony.

A bridging ceremony happens at the end of the scouting year when scouts who intend to proceed to the next level (assuming they have completed the requirements for their current level).

It was of course raining.

We had our ceremony at the regular pack meeting site.

Megan and David left after dinner (for which I brought our own veggie burger patties).

Kiernan crossed the bridge with real excitement.

He took this picture of himself in his new Wolf Scout  colors.

On Sunday morning we started getting the house ready for company.

David was tired and sore from whatever he has (Lyme disease test came back negative) but he plugged along with the vacuum.

Kiernan had some morning energy but didn't eat. By the time the guests arrived he was sick and sleeping.

We ate lots of food and hung out with family.

Megan and Kaleb were particularly entertaining together.

We got to show off the new water world that we had invented for the turtle.

Plus the half frozen frog that I found during the morning clean up.

This frog is a very temporary addition but it felt good to save a thing.

It felt especially good as I was completely unable to help my poor boy with his horrible stomach cramps and vomiting well into the night.

Lets hope next week is sickness free!