Weekend Wrap-up

The official first day of spring is on the 20th, but it may as well have been this weekend. We are enjoying the most lovely weather. Mid-March or not, who cares, it's wonderful and rejuvenating. The birds are back and chirping, the trees are budding for new leaves, and our yard toys have found their way out of the garage storage. Spring is lively and living. It does good things for my soul.

The first peeks of crocus.

This weekend we also celebrated St. Patrick's Day. I called the girls my little leprechauns, dressed them in green, and took their picture wearing funny Irish hats.

Anna's St. Patty's day lucky Fruit Loop rainbow.

Brent takes Anna to a gymnastics class on Saturdays. She has been going for about ten weeks now and she has done really well. It has been a huge boost to her physical confidence and she gains skills and ability each week. At the end of every class the kids go to the big foam pit. This week was the first week that Anna jumped into the pit all by herself ... such a huge step for her and Brent said she loved it. She jumped in over and over again!




Backyard fun has begun. Outside toys, chalk drawings on the driveway, bouncy balls, the charcoal grill. Anna loves being outside and she is content to play with simple buckets of hose water, measuring cups, and sponges. Emily is exploring the outdoor surroundings, all which are brand new for her. She discovered the water table this weekend and loved playing with the water and her big sister.

"Blossom by blossom the spring begins."
Algernon Charles Swinburne

A lovely little Sunday

Sunday is probably my favorite day of the week. One more day to enjoy the weekend and time off before the busy week begins. I like the focus of Sunday morning, which consists of breakfast, baths, and getting to church on time. After church there is lunch and time for an errand or something fun before nap time. Then dinner, play time, catching up around the house (not always in that order). I admit I groan sometimes at the thought of Monday ... Brent back to work, me back to juggling the two kids and chores and schedules. But it's not all bad. Weekdays bring library trips, Sesame Street, and family dinner after 5 o'clock. Lots to do and look forward to. But Sundays are special and we had a good one today.

This Sunday started with turning the clocks forward - spring forward for daylight savings time. The extra hour or two of daylight begs for spring and summer and evening walks after dinner. But that seemingly tiny time change messes with the kids' routines a bit. Like today, Emily was ready for her morning nap 15 minutes before we were ready to leave for church. I stayed home so she could sleep and Brent took Anna to mass. I spent a quiet hour at home cleaning up around the house, praying for a few friends going through hard times, and opening some windows to let in the beautiful 60-degree breezy, sunshiny air.

A bouncy, happy Anna came home with reports of who she said hello to at church. We ate lunch and then off to the park. The weather was perfect and we drove with the windows down. Except for Anna, who wanted her window promptly rolled up - "Too windy!" she said as her curly hair blew around in all directions. At the park we enjoyed the playground, Lake St. Clair, and each other.

Most importantly, each other.

Monday musings

Monday, Monday. The girls and I are spending our Monday at home enjoying some quiet playtime. It's cold outside again today. But it is sunny which makes me look even more forward to the predicted 47 degrees for tomorrow and 58 (!) degrees on Wednesday. Maybe a trip to the park and maybe even to the zoo on Wednesday. Think spring!

A keep-me-busy activity for Anna today....fill up and sort pretty beads in a cupcake pan. Why not?! She loved it. She calls the beads gems. Very princess-y and beautiful, which Anna is all about these days.

As for Emily, she has suddenly developed an aversion to her bib.

Over the weekend we made a trip to Trader Joe's. It's always a fun shopping trip. Fun store with friendly employees who give Anna stickers. Plus they have kid-size carts, which Anna adores pushing around and filling with our groceries. Among our purchases were these two things....

A shamrock plant. Gearing up for St. Patrick's Day. I don't believe I had ever seen a shamrock plant before. It's a lovely little plant and now one lives in my kitchen. Brent and Anna named him Sherman Shamrock. I love this plant already .... it has dainty little white flowers and the leaves and blooms close up at night and open again in the morning. Sherman has a little personality and its like he goes to sleep at night and wakes up to greet us again in the morning. It's really darling and a charming reminder of life.

We also bought these ... shortbread cookies with chocolate filling. Holy smokes. We always let Anna pick out cookies at Trader Joe's - they have all kinds and she's so cute pushing around that itty-bitty cart. Cookies just seem the right thing to do. She chose these this time and whoa, good choice! Awesome with hot chocolate. Awesome on their own, too. I gave up ice cream for Lent, but have been indulging in these little babies. Hmmm. Maybe I should also give these up for Lent. After these are gone, I will.

If you come across a shamrock plant or shortbread cookies, I highly recommend them. Each holds a little happiness.

Nine Months

Emily is nine months old today! They're not kidding when they say time flies. It feels just like yesterday that she was born. I often think of that moment when we first met her ... Brent announced she was a girl, her tiny body was so rosy and warm, she had lovely soft dark hair, we named her Emily Grace. We fell in love with her. I instantly loved her. The moment forever changed me as I held her and became a mother again. We took her home and she fit in so perfectly, a sister for Anna and another daughter for us.

That little newborn Emily has changed so much since then. Today a curious, active, delightful nine month old Emily looks back at us. She smiles to show off her six tiny teeth. She laughs heartily and makes us laugh even harder. She crawls everywhere and sometimes crawls very fast when she gets excited. She pulls herself up to stand. She waves bye-bye which melts hearts. She babbles da-da-da and ma-ma-ma and ba-ba-ba. She adores her big sister. She loves toys and peek-a-boo. She pulls my hair a lot, but also twirls between her fingers as she falls asleep. She claps her hands. She loves to eat and is very pleased to try new finger foods. She still doesn't sleep through the night, but we will forgive her. She loves to take a bath and will fuss if we end the bath too soon. She loves to rough-house with Daddy. She has sparkling blue eyes and long pretty eyelashes. She likes to sit and look at books with bright colors and pictures. She is often very patient and good when we go places. And she always gets called "beautiful" by people she meets.

It has been a beautiful nine months, Emily Grace. We are so lucky to love you, darling girl.