It's here!

April 16th - mark it! It's the first day that it's warm enough to sit in the sunroom with bare feet up on the couch. We've played basketball and softball catch at the park and had swim class. I had a nice chat with my neighbor over our fences... it's been months since we've done that. And we're barbecuing with friends tonight. I'm hoping to have some seedlings planted by the end of the weekend and tomorrow is the first day for softball and soccer. Hurray for Spring!

springing

After a week in California, where we frolicked in the sand and sun, played at the park, "without jackets, Mama!" and spent much-savored time with family and friends... we are back. And as I write this, it's snowing. Yesterday we stayed at the park with neighborhood friends until 7pm in 72 degree weather. The day before that it snowed.

This is true Springtime in Chicago. And, I'm looking for the humor in Mother Nature's show. I assume She knows best because I have daffodils trying their best to appear upbeat and sproingy even while they're blown about by tiny snowflakes and 40 mph wind gusts. Back to school this morning with a spring (intended) in our step... we were early to all drop offs and everyone was excited to go their separate ways. My path led directly back home to clean up the messes left by 3 young children after a few unstructured days of play at home between birthday celebrations, laundry, and tax season. Adulthood can be very overrated at times.

Celebrations! Yesterday Evelyn turned Two. Our springtime baby girl. She's solidly a toddler now and holds the place of Most Beloved Little Sister/Baby Girl. She had barely come downstairs yesterday morning when she was bombarded with kisses and frantically hand drawn birthday cards and a specially selected present from her older brothers, who were half-dressed themselves. The birthday excitement of a 4.5 and 6.5 year old was infectious enough for all of us. Evelyn is definitely into birthdays now! We had a few friends over, a few presents, a little birthday brunch and chocolate cake (her request!) with raspberry buttercream frosting. She's still a berry lover.

Evelyn is quick and quiet, a bit surly when she wakes early from a nap, surprisingly eloquent, loves her Mama and Daddy and adores her brothers. Sometimes she addresses them as one entity which is the sweetest thing, "I need help opening this Brothers!" And one or both of them rush to her aid. Lucky little lady.

I've just visited the old Flickr page and see that my last update of photos was last year at Evelyn's 1st birthday! I have catching up to do. They're all changing so much, so fast. Assume that I'm just trying to keep up and internalize as much of it as I can if this space or the photo page falls silent for a long time. It's good right now. Happy Spring!