So Much Going On

Our lives have been pretty full lately. So many things to write and show, but also warming weather which turns my attention quickly from an indoor focus to an outdoor one. We had a day near 70 this week, and I wasn't interested in sitting at the computer on a day like that. And even today, in the upper 40's, I spent an hour cleaning up the yard (so much yard work to do!!) and am headed back that way to work on some compost-spreading in the garden (already!) I'm trying to resist the urge to go spring crazy and be mindful of the fact that I don't need to have everything started in the greenhouse just yet, and that there will be many many beautiful days and ever warming windows of time to get the unlimited list of projects slowly pared down. To take it slow and enjoy things like Remick's face upon holding his first worm (REALLY wasn't so sure about it!) or Makili being fascinated with birds' nests and eggs, and collecting sprouting buckeyes. Here are some highlights of the week:

Makili's first sleepover:

Remick's obsession with rainboots. Never mind they are two sizes too big. If big brother has them, he NEEDS them!Renewed interest in the potty and face-painting crayons.



Finding a skateboard hidden in the junk in our yard!Getting laundry on the line

Digging in the compost pail (this has not been a highlight of my laundry pile.)
Looking for worms!!!
Makili's love for "his" garden, where he has already planted peas (a bit early, but can't hurt, right?)
Shrinking snow and gardens unleashed for the work of the season to begin! Happy SPRING!

Did it really happen?

My mom was here for a week and I almost feel like it didn't happen. This is a busy time for exchange student work and I had a huge training yesterday. I pretty much ignored my children all week since she was here and I feel like I barely spent time with her:( I think my iron must be low, cause I barely feel capable of functioning lately which doesn't help. My kids loved having Grammy here, and Remick in particular would completely ignore me if he didn't get the answer he wanted and turn directly to Grammy to get what he wanted. Sneaky little thing. We also we lucky enough to get a quick visit from my Aunt Suzanne who came up to spend a bit of time with us. It was SO nice to see her. I am such a lucky person.

I'm feeling a little down and sad this morning. I'm tired and my day started off with Makili crapping on the floor (he was naked and thought it was a fart!) and Remick coloring all over the couch while I was upstairs doing laundry. I'm trying to clear out the greenhouse but we still haven't built any shelves so I feel like I'm just moving mess from one area to another. And on top of all that, my mom is gone.

I'd pay money to see this.

She's a natural. That's all I have to say.

The everyday

At our house, waiting for the snow to melt, we spend a lot a time doing a few things:

Getting into stuff like mom's pin cushion.Whacking pillows with hockey sticks (thankfully not so much whacking each other.)
Some cheering each other on (mostly for the whacking but occassionally for other stuff.)
And a lot of dressing up, which I admit is my favorite.

I'm excited for the snow to melt and our focus to turn back outside. If only the snow melting didn't mean that I could see all the yard trash again...

Kid Parade

Some of our friends are moving to the West Coast later this month. We've been trying to help them move their entire lives, sell their house, etc by offering to watch their kids. They had a big garage sale last weekend and we watched their daughter Kili, and our other mutual friend, Phin, while they were working. It was a lot of fun. Raph made fun of me, because I had a case of little-girl envy. I was following Kili around cause she was just so damn cute and I just wanted her to play with me!

Like Old Times, But Bigger

We had a skate date with the McCall clan on Friday. It is unbelievable how big those kids are. It seems like 10 minutes ago that I was watching them - Morgan at Remick's age and Sam at Makili's age. They are like mini-adults now. So CUTE!

A little dose of the dude-man

Matty stopped by the other day for a little while with Gina, Rudy, and her friend Rhiannon with her baby Callum. She said to Makili, "Have you met my friend Rhiannon?" Without a breath, Makili replied, "No. But have you met my friend Grammy?"

Anyway, The Dude-man, as Rudy is known, is a big little guy and so cute with those saucer eyes. Gina and Matty are mad at him cause he doesn't walk, and I think that he does it just to piss them off. It's all very entertaining...

Happy in Wool

We put the floor down in our bedroom today, which is exciting. We took a little break to go sledding before the snow turned to rain, but overall it has been a day to cuddle up inside. Both my boys are wearing hand-knit sweaters, Makili's being the newest. It was a gift this week from Tamara, who whipped it out in a week! Cables and all! And Remick's is the sweetest little hoodie that Aunt Suzanne made for Makili as a babe. I think it's supposed to be 6-9 months, but I'm so glad we were able to squeak out another winter. I have knitter envy. I wish I could read those patterns and make such adorable things. But I am so lucky to have such lovely people in my life who share their talents with us.

Vacation

I think today we're finally done timing the tylenol and ibuprofin and on to other things, like stacking wood and getting some house projects done. Yesterday, I waxed our floor tiles with paste wax and then Raph cut them and put them down. Unfortunately I woke this morning with a wicked headache from the fumes. So we've moved onto trying some eco-friendly stuff instead. Why we didn't do that in the first place is a good question. We're going to try to get the barn wood floor down in our bedroom this week too! We even have window trim up in that room! Progress - slow but steadyish.

I found my loves sleeping together at nap time the other day...so cute.And tell me he isn't the cutest little thing ever.
We spent the 40+ degree day today stacking wood. And I have to say I enjoyed it.

Sick House

My boys are both a bit under the weather, so we've been sticking close to home a lot this week. Yesterday the boys discovered the costume bin and have been having a glorious time since then donning all sorts of creative outfits.

Fun with Tim and Tamara

We entertained Tim and Tamara at our house for once! Cause we have room! The kids were pretty genuinely convinced that Tim was there for climbing on and sledding down, and he was a good sport about it, though I'm sure they both went home and let out a big sigh of relief for being free of their crazy energy. We haven't seen them as much lately so it was treat to connect (and talk seeds and spring!) and of course to eat yummy food.