sprung

spring has sprung. the warm weather activities are exploding around us. flowers are blooming everywhere we look. neighbors are out of their houses. carousels are open, markets are bustling, joy in the excitement of the newness of spring and sun and warmth is all around.

i'm not about to let a sun-shiney day pass me by without getting out to something, even when my children resist, and won't put on day clothes, and everyone is tired. nope. we are GOING to the terrace, the farmer's market, to see the baby owls, to visit friends. fortunately, no one disagreed with me these past two weekend. (well, no one disagreed about the activities. james clearly disagreed about the day clothes issue, and won the right to stay in pajamas).

farmer's market capitol steps frolicking 


and bike riding.


terrace sitting, duck viewing, flower wreath wearing. 

baby owl viewing on the lakeshore path.



 carouseling. in pajamas.

a birthday party, with outdoor fun and flower wreath making (ramona continues to wear her flower head wreath on a pretty regular basis). (also, it is worth noting that this birthday party was an absolute breakthrough for our shy girl: this is the first birthday party that she chose to leave my side, play and have fun, and did not cry and hide instead of participate in the group photo. she'll always be shy, and that's more than ok. but she's also learning to find joy in a group setting, which will serve her well as she heads in kindergarten. GULP. anyway...)

a heart warming chalk welcome sign for non other than me, MOM, waiting for me at pick up time at preschool.

close inspection of the early magnolia bloom.

a little ride down sherman in the early evening with a neighbor friend.

and the annual spring shearing. good bye beard, hell-OOO amazing mustache. 

all sure signs of warmer weather and easy living, for sure.