Warm Weather Fun

We're out enjoying the nice weather! I hope you're getting some fresh air too, wherever you are.

New Life

It finally feels like spring, and there is new life everywhere. This season has been long awaited after an especially sickly winter. New life is just what we need.

Late last week, I had the honor of attending the birth of a brand new baby boy. My dear, beautiful friend delivered a 9 pound, 5 ounce boy at a local birth center, surrounded by her husband and five sympathetic women. It was such a privilege to be counted among those women.

Then yesterday, we found this nest in a tree flanking our front porch. I was reminded why spring is my favorite time of the year, full of beauty and new beginnings.

Egg Beater

At 21 month, Oliver is already really handy in the kitchen.

Little Sculptor

Ellis takes great pride in these block sculptures he creates. He spends most of his day working on them, creates elaborate stories around them, and, most importantly, no one else is to touch them. The other day he said, "I want to be a sculptor when I grow up." We were quick to point out that he's a sculptor now. No need to wait until we grow up to be what we want to be. 

Here's the artist himself among his creations:

I love this photo because Oliver is singing "Happy Birthday" to himself in the mirror

Kites 2013

I'm a sucker for rituals and traditions. I love the feeling that I get when I say, "We do this every year." I love that we are creating memories and traditions for the kids that will add up to be their childhood. Last weekend was our family's annual trip to our local kite festival (last year's festival photos). Unlike last year, when we could plunk Oliver down on a blanket and Ellis was content to play with friends, they were both exploring all over the place--and most of the time in two different directions! It was definitely a team effort to keep track of them. Thankfully, we brought Yia Yia along for an extra set of eyes and hands.

This year was definitely colder, but we did have more wind, so we actually got to see some pretty cool kites get off the ground. The boys' favorite was a giant squid, and my mom liked the ones that whipped around in loopty-loops. All in all, it was a fun day, and I'm glad to have another year of this tradition.

Ellis was excited for a legitimate excuse to use the binoculars!

Lemonade break with Yia Yia

Ellis got his face painted as Spiderman earlier in the day. And yes, both my kids eat lemons.

The sun was super-bright; forgive our squinting.

One Year Ago Today...

Two precious babies working in the garden...

...and toothless smiles. 

Boy, how things have changed. One day at a time, one tooth at a time, one phase at a time, these boys are growing up right in front of us. 

Please let us remember to take it all in, as much as we can. 

Amen.

Bespectacled Ollie

Watch yer eye, buddy!