Scenes from a lovely March

Goodbye March. Goodbye Winter. Hello Spring.

Though we're so excited for April and warmer weather, we won't leave March behind without fond thoughts. 

It was really good to us this year, with it's blooming pussy willows,

abnormally glorious weather, providing for numerous outdoor activities,

(including Spring-cleaning and prepping the garden (and eating dirt, in Ben's case)),

rain boot-wearing opportunities,

evening sunset views from our back hill,

precious time spent with old friends,

mama kisses,

and lots of dada time.

So, thank you March 2012. You were spectacular and cherished.

Welcome April. 

xox

Random Thoughts for March

February 29th delivered our season's first true winter storm, so March came in like a lion after all. 

We bought Ben a shiny new red tricycle last week (with a proper bell, I might add:)). 

The kid has 6 older cousins; 99% of his clothes and toys are hand-me-downs, which we love. But we couldn't resist getting him his first bike. He was thrilled. He didn't really know what to do with himself. It's still a bit too big for him, so he can sit on it, but his feet can't reach the pedals. So, in his excitement, he took his blocks and put them on the seat of the trike and pushed it around the kitchen, took the blocks off the trike, banged them together and started all over again. 

Ben helping dada put the trike together

We figure that, by the time the snow melts, he'll be big enough to ride the trike outside, properly:). For now, it sits in the garage, like a little red trophy.

Speaking of hand-me-downs, this stuffed animal was mine when I was little. It was called 'Froggie Froggie', as, apparently, I thought it was a frog. After a spa day, which consisted of a cycle in the washer and dryer, Froggie Froggie looks like new and now belongs to Ben. His new name is 'Polar' (pronounced 'Pol-ah'). 

A few weeks ago I cut Ben's hair for the first time. This morning, I took him to the grocery store and a sweet older woman approached us and said 'Oh, he's so cute. Did he cut his own hair? Don't worry; all of my kids did it. They all do at some point in their lives'.

Did I really do that terrible of a job that she assumed my 15-month old took a pair of scissors to his own hair??

No more haircuts from mama. This can be dada's job:).

I'm reading 'Bossypants', by Tina Fey. This book has me tearing up and laughing out loud. It's hilarious. Have you read it?

Happy March to you:).

xox

February stroll

We have a very long driveway

that leads to a very busy street.

But if you cross our very busy street, you'll find yourself on a very sweet side street.

We like to find ourselves there every now and then to enjoy views of a setting sun,

a beautiful, twisted old tree,

 a still marsh.

And during perfect summer evenings, a firefly-lit field.

These photos were taken during today's walk.

** On a side note, this has perhaps been the most mild winter of my thirty-one years. I cannot recall a February that looked like this. How is February from your home?

xox

Hello February!

Hello February

Hello climber

Hello blue sky

Hello shadow

Hello daffodils (eight weeks early....)

Hello pitcher's arm

What other delights/ surprises will this New England February deliver?

Happy weekend to you.

xox

January Moon

Me: 'Benjamin, where is the moon?'

B: 'Moooooooooooooooooooonnnnnn!!!!'

Happy end of January to you.

xox

walk it off....

Ben and I have been grouchy the past few days. His reasons for grouchniess are simple: he has two lower molars cutting through his gums. Fair enough (poor guy:(). Me? I don't really have an excuse. Perhaps it's the cold, wintry weather, perhaps it's the fact that I haven't been getting out of the house much (working from home, as lovely as it is, can do that). Who knows. But today, Ben and I were like oil and water. 

So we took a late afternoon walk, just the two of us. We bundled up, braved the cold and relished some much needed fresh air.

And I do have to say, I'm not sure if it was the bit of clean, cold air that did it, 

No matter how cold it is outside, the hat and gloves will inevitably be thrown off. 

or if it was coming in from the clean, cold air to a hot cup of cocoa and a crackling fire,

but we both seemed notably better upon our return.

xox

Holiday Cheer

Happy holidays!

It's really starting to feel like Christmas around here:). Though I couldn't get a decent photo of our tree, here are a few photos of our home, dressed for the holidays. 

I don't go overboard with Christmas decorations, but having a few splashes of red and dashes of glitter here and there really makes me happy.

(plus, with the 24/7 Christmas music that started in late October, we really don't need to go too crazy with the decorations, do we? It already feels like we have elves in the house:))

I do want to add some greenery to the railing in our living room (above). I'll post some photos of the tree as soon as I can get some decent photos of it, as I have some very special ornaments that I'd like to share with you:).

And this is the best snapshot I was able to take of our 2011 Christmas card. This photo was taken while we were at Cape Cod in September. I liked it so much that I decided to use it as our holiday card:).  I also fell in love with the vintage-y floral card design that I found on Shutterfly.

This weekend we're going to a local tree lighting and doing some last-minute outdoor prep for the winter. It's finally starting to feel like winter around here.... we may have a white Christmas after all... :). You?

Enjoy the weekend:)

xox