An Evening Indoors

I took the girls to Marquette Park for a good part of the afternoon. We spent the evening indoors (this is the norm).
The girls colored for a bit. My youngest favored blues, reds, and purples today.


My preschooler decided to make a "Princess Coloring Book":


This is the cover featuring: Rapunzel, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, and Tiana. I love 4 year old art!


Later we pulled out pipe cleaners. See, Mom? A headband!


A balloon:





My husband joined in and made me a fabulous ring ;)

The End of a Preschool Day

Every Thursday, our daughter's preschool class goes to the Mackinac Public Library.


Today, I biked past them on the way to pick her up.


They hold a rope. I had the privilege of being a teacher's aide last year, so half the class knows me well :)


I knew we had a minute, so I let my little one play on the playground. Of course, she didn't want to leave.


The Governor's residence is visible in the distance. There is a crane there, I think they are working on the roof.


These are pure and unedited. The icy straits and clouds are stunning!








No room to pass. Construction makes things take longer.


Hi guys!


I edited this photo from yesterday- it's my favorite!

The Village Inn

At 10:00am, it was 32 degrees and snowing- I hoped to snowmobile to school. Looking out the window at 11:00am, the snow was not staying on the road (it was up to 33 degrees). The burley had a flat tire, so I pulled out the stroller and walked.

My youngest made it past St. Anne's Church on foot!





The Mission House is getting new siding!


George and his team are about to pick someone up:


And she wanted to walk after we dropped her big sister at preschool.


Ice?


But there was open water here yesterday?!


Here's essentially the same shot, as it looked yesterday:


It is amazing what can happen in less than 24 hours:


We turned up Market Street. Daddy was at the Post Office. We decided to meet and eat lunch in town!


She spots Daddy!!!


So excited!


Yay!


Too cute!


We hadn't eaten at the Village Inn since the Grand took it over. So we did!


The food was took a bit, but they provided crayons and Wikki Stix (which are awesome, by the way).


The Wikki Stix wrapper:


Waiting:


The restaurant has had some work done. The booths each have their own TV... Nifty! (The new wallpaper is a little distracting, though!)


French onion soup:


Mmmmm:


Our toddler ordered Macaroni & Cheese. She always chooses this when we go out to eat.


It came with fancy applesauce and steak fries:


Phil wanted chicken tenders (this is actually from the kids menu but they obliged):


Today's special was a meatball sub ($8.00). I couldn't finish it, but I did pop it in the oven for dinner! These steak fries are fabulous!


The ice was gorgeous!


Beautiful!

Location:Mackinac Island

No Paczkis

I wondered whether Paczkis would be available on Mackinac Island. Turns out they are not (as far as I could tell). I wasn't surprised; it would be a lot of work to get them here. Plus, I didn't grow up with them, so it wasn't a huge disappointment. I wasn't introduced to Paczkis until college.
Lake Huron is looking very ice free.




Ice free towards the Mackinac Bridge:




Ice free towards both lighthouses.




I called Arnold Line Ferry today to see if they had an estimated date of return. Not yet. Last year, ferries didn't run until April due to ice. I'll try again next week! (I want to teach Sunday School at our church on the mainland, and it's too expensive to fly every weekend).
What should you do when approaching a parked emergency vehicle with its lights flashing and you're on a bicycle? I don't know. But I rode on the sidewalk just in case. (Riding bikes on sidewalks is not legal on Mackinac Island, but I'm hoping it was okay in this situation.)

Location:Mackinac Island

Construction Blooms

There's not much ice. Mackinac Island was above 40 degrees much of today. I can still bike to school. I never put on my gloves.





Construction on the Bicycle Inn continues. (I loved that I caught the shadow on the neighboring building!)


Such a difference from just last week!


This home on the east end of town is really taking shape too. It's across the street from the Mission Church. The girls had been anxious for the house to get its roof!


Today, February 20, 1926: Richard Matheson was born; he is the author of the book "Bid Time Return" which he then wrote as a screenplay- it became "Somewhere In Time"! This photo shows the Soundstage of Mission Point Resort- most of the movie was actually filmed here!


Not much snow. You can see where some snowmobiles squeak by on the edge. I think it makes more sense to bike. The sound of a snowmobile on a snowless road is not pleasant, plus I'm afraid of abusing our machine.


My little blooms! A grumpy flower:


A happy flower:


Sisters!

Location:Mackinac Island