SPRINGin' Forward

It's SPRING and the kids are loving the sunshine, short sleeved shirts and smells of the season. The cherry trees are in full bloom as the daffodils bring color to the barren areas of the yard. The ferns are cut back, the grass has been mowed once, we've had our first grass stain appear this week and the project list is half a page long already! The swings have been already worn in and been put to great heights by all the neighbor kids. Tim is now official with his motorcycle license which makes me thankful for his respect for life, but also thinking I may be finding myself driving behind him going places as he is IN LOVE with the hobby finding every use possible for two wheels.

Today Addison was studying the Pig War on Orcas Island, so I'm pretty certain that means it's time for a field trip to Roche Harbor and have a Northwest afternoon island hopping and exploring. Our trip to the tulip fields is planned for mid week in attempts to beat big crowds and everything but new spring shoes are ready for Easter Sunday. I'm just amazed how opinionated kids get at such young ages in regards to what's cute, uncomfortable and in style. Feet never stop growing and the gap between one daughter to the next has many years of storage ahead of us. Charlie is much more content to holes in the knees, muddy shoes, and hair going every direction but the same. I'm very thankful for my mom who is sewing too short leggings and soft pants into shorts for the kids!

Myriam's list of rules is growing as she continues to be two and challenges us as parents to find new ways to really make her understand what 'NO' means. The list of rules began as she was kicked out of the nursery a few weeks ago due to punching kids. (sorry to the kids who were on the receiving end of this gesture. my apologies to the kids and parents. completely embarrassed about that one.) The list went like this:

no punching
no kicking
no pull hair
no biting
keep diaper on

As of this past Sunday, we have added "no spitting" as said child drank water and attempted toddler baptism during class. Again, my apologies to Teacher Roxy and those children in the spray zone. Myriam finds discipline entertaining. She feels no pain; has no fear. I'm open to suggestions from parents who have walked this challenging road before!

This morning my brother came over for a haircut and stayed after to let the kids play. Once the rain started we came inside, but some children snuck outside and found themselves content to play IN THE BUNNY CAGE!!! AGAIN!!! I found her two hands full of bunny goodness as she went straight to the bathtub after locking the cage and making sure Sandy was okay.

Next on the list of rules: no bunny cage

The rest of the week looks promising with limited clouds and sunshine so we look forward to afternoons outside and maybe picnics at the park. I'm always leery to get my car washed as it seems the next day it rains so whats one more day with a dirty car? Think of it as saving you a day inside to face the cleaning that always seems to be patiently waiting it's date with Mr. Clean and Mrs. Windex.

Here's a little of what we've been up to this spring so far…

{ The kids ask to visit Grandpa Haak's grave weekly. Their favorite memory is Grandpa chasing them in his wheelchair! Addi asked to bring flowers and got yellow as she remembers Grandpa telling her it was his favorite color. He mentioned to her that the Easter dress she had on before he died was his favorite. She'll never forget. }

{ Better known as 'the Grandpa with the blue hat'. }

{ Climbing trees and climbing on Uncle Jason as he sits with his little ladies. }

{ As fun as it may be for the kids to watch our deer friends explore our yard, they are also a reminder for me to get my Irish Spring out so they don't eat all the flowers! }