Spring

There's something about warmer weather that puts a spring in my step. But not too warm, of course. Just perfect. The kind where you can leave the back door open all day. The kind where the air never turns on in the house, and neither does the heater. The kind that beckons everyone outside and seems to put everyone in better moods. 

Spring has always been my second favorite season....behind summer, of course because I just love the long, bright days of summer. It probably has something to do with winter being my least favorite. Spring offers hope. When I see new growth on plants after winter, I literally get a smile on my face. But after having children, spring has taken on a new meaning. After being cooped up in the house for the winter, spring allows all of us to get outside and get our energy out. Spring ushers in summer break (after all "summer" break technically starts during spring). And with summer break comes a welcome lax in schedules....which is ironic when just a couple short months later I welcome those schedules back with open arms. 

But those beautifully perfect weathered spring days usher in the lazy days of summer. When we don't have to set an alarm and don't have to do homework. When we get to meet friends to play and go on little excursions. 

Spring, you have my heart forever and always. 

Well, except for the mosquitos. I really don't like the mosquitos. If they didn't have to be a part of spring and summer, it would just be the icing on the cake. But one truly cannot have it all, am I right?!

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Easter 2018

And just like that, another Easter has come and gone. I am sort of sad we had to go back to school, rather than get the week off...or at least a day off to recover from the sugar high! Alas, spring break was last week, so back to the grind we are.

We actually did pretty much all our Easter festivities on Saturday this year, which was nice because it made Sunday a nice, chill family day. Saturday started out with an epic Easter egg hunt and my friend's mom's house (though I would count her mom as one of my friends too!). There had to be 40 kids there, plus all the parents. They only live a few blocks from us, so I walked with the kids and Callum fell asleep on the way there and slept through the whole egg hunt.

Isla was the first kid out the door when the big kids got to go hunt. Connor found one of the two prized golden eggs, which was drama all of its own because Isla tried taking it from him and when I put a stop to that, went into a full on meltdown. Thankfully she eventually recovered, but it was like, "gosh child!" Callum woke at the end of the festivities, when another toddler when into full on meltdown and the mom walked him into the room Callum was sleeping in. But, then Callum got to play with some playdough before we hit the road.

^^ Trina reading the Easter story to the kids

^^ My friend Mallory trying to keep the big kids inside, so the littles could have a go at the egg hunt.

^^ Of course my child was first out the door! 

^^ Filling up on some fennel during the egg hunt.

Then we went home and ate lunch and relaxed for a bit before round two. We met my brother and dad at church for an early Saturday service. Then we headed over to Ian's parents house for another egg hunt and dinner.

It really was nice getting everything in on Saturday because Sunday became a nice family day. My dad, brother and I went to breakfast. Then we hung out for a bit before my dad had to head back to LA. We did yard work, while the kids played in the yard...and attempted to swim before they realized we weren't lying when we said it would be freezing. Followed up by dinner and me going grocery shopping at a literally empty grocery store...that was super nice! Then bedtime and back to the grind.

It was a good weekend. No, a great weekend.

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Simple Pleasures

The amazing weather we have had as of late has been refreshing. Sitting in the backyard, basking in the sun, hearing the sounds of my playing children tops the list for things I love to do. I mean, anytime you can enjoy the sun in weather that is not to hot or not to cold is just about perfect for me. And the sunny days seem to be calling the kids names, leading them outside every afternoon.

Now I get that we need the rain. In fact, I would consider myself a bit of a rain lover. The puddle jumping. The dreary day spent up cozy inside the house. The sound of the rain on an umbrella or the top of the car. The look of the rain drops on a window. I love it all.

But every year, when spring comes around (yeah, I know it's too early for spring), it feels like a breath of fresh air. Moving from cozy days indoors to fun days outside. Slowing down to read a book while the kids play. Enjoying a la croix while I read...and trying to defend said la croix against little hands that want to steal it. It's all a bit blissful, if you ask me.

Spring time is one of my loves...well, if you take aways tax season and school schedules. But the weather. The time outside. The light. Everyone's moods. I'll take it all.

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Rain Play

It's no secret that I like rain. So this drought in California has kind of been killing me. Finally (seriously, FINALLY) we have had a few days of rain. It has been glorious. I love the sound of the rain when I am in my house and the sound when I am in the car. I love sitting on the porch watching the rain and I love playing in the rain with Connor and Isla. I just love it all. And thankfully, so do my cuties.

^^ Trying to catch the rain in his mouth

All the good puddles were in the middle of the street, so we went to the middle of the street to play. Like a paranoid madwoman, I kept looking back and forth making sure no cars were coming. 

After we played for a while, I got out umbrellas for more fun. I could not believe how excited the kids got over umbrellas. Somehow both of the kids kept ending up on the ground with the umbrella under them. And Isla ended up loosing her umbrella privileges after banging the umbrella into the car a few too many times (sorry Ian). 

And Connor thought it was great to hold the umbrella upside down. "Look at me mama, I funny." Yes kid, you are. 

Sometimes I think it would be fun to live again where it rains all the time. But then I remember that I wouldn't be able to just send the kids in the backyard to play. AND, there really is nothing like the feeling of the sun on your face on a cool day. But, bring this up in the middle of summer, and I just may be ready to pack up and head for a rainier (and cooler) place! 

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Hello Spring!

We welcomed spring into our 'hood yesterday with some rain. Unfortunately that rain only happened at night...such a disappointment. I was looking forward to taking the kids out and dancing in it. sigh.

Fortunately, we have been taking advantage of the springish weather the past couple weeks and spending time outside everyday has become a part of our routine. It happens in the afternoon, after nap time, in case you care to know. And it has been happening in the front yard. Connor refuses to go into our backyard (or playroom, for that matter) because of our neighbor's dogs. But that deserves, and will get, a post of its own at some point.

Where was I? Oh yeah, spring, outdoor time, playing in the front yard...

Basically how things have been going down is I take the kids outside to play. Connor stalks spots one of our neighbor's out playing, either the kids across the street or the jr. higher next door and is off the play with them. That leaves me and Isla playing in the front yard all by our lonesome. I know she would rather be playing with the big kids. She lets me know by pointing and squawking. She's not big enough for that freedom yet. So she is stuck playing with her 'ole mom.

I swear, the sun on your face can fix just about any problem...at least until I go back inside and see my sink full of dishes.

Today I noticed one of our blueberry plants have blooms. So excited for the blueberries in our yard and the ones we will go out and pick.

Aww, spring...I am pretty sure you are my favorite season.

Backyard Bowling

Yesterday while thrifting with my mom, I came across this amazing find...a little wooden bowling set. It is oddly heavy (duh, Jessica. It is solid wood!) and I feared it could be used as a weapon by a certain little man against his sister. But, I swallowed my fear and got it anyway.

After eating dinner outside (yea for spring), I set up the bowling set, Ian drew some lines and Connor had some fun. By the end, he stopped throwing the ball from over his head, but I still don't think he fully got the concept. It was cute non-the-less.

A Day in the Park

When it is sunny in Scotland, no matter the temp, everyone heads outdoors. Yesterday was no exception. With it hitting the high 50's, it was by all accounts a nice spring day here in Scotland. So, Connor and I headed to the park.

Given that he can pretty much sit up on his own now, I thought it was time to try out the swings. Honestly, I don't even know if Connor noticed he was in a swing or even noticed that he was moving. He was much more into all the other kids in the park. Anytime a little person gets near him, he stares at them and smiles. I have a feeling he is going to be quite the sociable tyke!

Staring at the little girl next to him...

The only photo I got of him sitting in the grass not grabbing his shoes! He is SO into them!

Another Spring Post

I know I have posted a lot lately about spring...it must be my mood (or the weather). Today we took a trip out to a garden center with our friends. We loaded up the car with plants and headed home. Ian and I took to our patio to plant our plants...some flowers, a tomato plant, a blueberry plant and some sweet corn. What can I say, we were in a food mood! Since we were already out on the patio, we decided to clean up a bit...cleaned the windows, swept and more. It looks really nice.

The blueberry plant really is the most exciting for both of us. Being that it is rather large already, it seems rather legit. It is supposed to produce fruit in July or August and we can't wait!

Hopefully we will actually stay on top of our plants and not let them die! And, hopefully they will produce more than our plants last year...two strawberries and a bell pepper that was an inch tall!