Hello, Spring.

I've come to love and accept something about myself this year. I hibernate. When the wind pipes up and we flip our collars skyward, I retreat. I bask in the blankets and cocoa, and I let myself shut down that manic side of myself that insists on things like hyper creativity and new experiences. I hit the proverbial "off" switch and let myself slip into the routine and wonderfully familiar. Like watching Dr. Suess's Mr. Grinch one too many times. Even in after Christmas. Even after Valentines Day, for that matter. And while I fought my "laziness" at first, I've come to accept this side of myself. Holidays. Tradition. And yes, maybe just a little bit of laziness, too.

But when spring rolls in? I deck the halls in all of it's wonderful, energized sensations. It just so happens that St. Patrick's Day seems to hark the herald of creativity inside of me. I suckle at the breast of warm weather. Yes. I just said I SUCKLE at the BREAST of warm weather. Because I am *that* unabashed in my fanatics for this season. For shizzle, homeslice.

And there's no way to greet the dawn of spring like a picnic with dear friends, and letting the littles get their feet wet. Literally.

So we went to Nockamixon. It's a quaint little park, really. And I happen to have quite a lot of fond memories there. I remember venturing there with my great uncle. It was then that I realized his uncontainable zest for nature. I remember trips with my family -my dad, mom, and sister- before the split. I remember my dad grabbing a tree vine and swinging and bellowing with all of the fervor of Tarzan himself. And we laughed. I remember sneaking off in the early AM hours to meet Scot when we were engaged. We shared sunrises and whispers of a future that we now possess. And now, I remember my girls. My sweet, soft spoken eldest leading her young sister to the water and allaying her fears like all good big sisters would.

And while Scot and I get snarky with one another more than I'd care to admit... I love moments when that all dissipates because I am amazed by the way he fathers his daughters and I am left fumbling for my camera to capture these moments because despite the fighting, despite the uncertainties, the love between a father and daughter is REAL.

I have proof.

And the trust that a daughter has for her father is unmatched.

 I know that feeling. Dare me to fall. I will be caught. And you will, Scarlett. You will.

 Spring is a time for awakening. It's a time for impromptu trips. For daring to do something that you feel totally ill prepared for. Spring stirs within us what has been hibernating all winter long. And this spring, as I churn the soil of my life, I meet friends and adventures.

And don't we all need new adventures?

It's only April :) More to come.

Life is Marvelous.

Easter Sunday could not have gone more fabulously!
We took the girls to the park, and after a short bit of playing on the playground, they decided the pavilion was where the fun was at.

 And once Daddy showed up on his bike and decided to take Scarlett for a spin... Well, she was just smitten.

And I am just in love with her shy smile :)

Spring is full of all sorts of awesome wonders. Perhaps one of the more simplistic ones - yet one that never ceases to lift my spirits - spring clothes. After being bundled up all winter long, cozy beneath over-sized sweaters and goose down jackets, fewer things are more liberating than feeling a the warm breeze swish your skirt, or feeling the hot sun on your bare shoulders. 

 

Fall has been my favorite season for as long as I can recall. I love the excitement of pulling that gooey pulp out of hollowed pumpkins in anticipation of your jack-o-lantern creation, the giggles of littles bumping happily on a hay ride, that smokey smell of bon-fire, and wandering clumsily through mazes of corn, towering above your head on either side. There is something special about fall. Yet, I find myself beginning to fall in love with spring this year in a new and wonderful way. While fall has fun festivities... Spring has LIFE. Oh yes. Raw, real, resounding LIFE. 

It's breath-taking. Yesterday evening we went to my in-laws for an Easter celebration. When we move, I will miss being able to walk the three blocks or so to their house. I picked a dandelion for Scarlett which she proudly gripped the entire way there.

It was a magical day. After stuffing ourselves with sweet potatoes and green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes, delicious breads and meats and corn in an act that could only be considered pure gluttonous delight, we wobbled our round bellies outside to enjoy the wonders of spring together. And Scarlett is growing up. We picked some flowers, ande in a very Arielle-of-the-little-mermaid way, Scarlett plucked pretty pink petals off one by one and watched them flutter to the ground.

 

 

 

But after that, it was see-you-later ma! And off she ran with her uncles and cousins to bounce on the trampoline, play with silly-string, and swoosh through the air on the rope swing. So Cecilia and I found a nice spot on the grass in the back yard and listened to the shrieks of delight and swells of laughter coming in waves from happy children on the other side of the big house.
  

And in that moment, I felt like I was in the garden of Eden. The setting sun's golden beams slipped through the magnolia tree's blossoms and cast a glow on the earth. Sitting there with my beautiful little girl, surrounded by brilliant hues of green and pink and purple and red, filled with the zest of spring, satiated with delicious foods, and enveloped with family, friends, and LOVE - I was blissful.
 

I hope you all had a spectacular Easter! For us, the Easter merriment is not quite over - today we're venturing to Grandma and Grandpa's house where Scarlett, Cecilia, and their spunky cousin Oliver will be having a grand Easter egg hunt!

Life is marvelous. Be happy.

Flowers, Sidewalk Chalk and Bare Feet

Yeah, you heard me. Flowers, Sidewalk Chalk and Bare Feet. It can only mean one thing: SPRING!

Just in the nick of time, too. Winter chill and mounds of fluffy snow is nice around Christmas time and all, but I mother nature out did herself this year. I'm just glad she decided to give us entirely glorious spring week! I am pretty sure the girls and I spent every day this week out under the sun, and it's been nothing short of magical! I love watching them discover the world in the spring time. So I decided to share :)

And so I've found a new form of therapy:
SIDEWALK CHALK!

Don't think I'm joking, either! Try it and I bet you'll agree! Something about getting that chalky pink dust all over your hands and knees, it's rejuvenating! And I don't think it's a coincidence that our yellow piece of chalk is the most worn. Sidewalk chalk calls for sunny, happy colors.

This spring I've also come to a decision that has been quite liberating, and so I suggest you try it too. Bare feet. Yes, I've made a promise to myself: unless we are leaving the neighborhood, we will go barefoot. When you give birth, the nurses, doctor, and lactation consults will all give you this nugget of advice: Skin to skin contact. They say it is very key to bonding with your babe. I've definitely found that to be true. And now I am a firm believer in skin to earth contact, too. There is something about walking, running, skipping, frolicking, etc... BAREFOOT all across the thawing earth that is healing. Like an affirmation of life. You are connected to the earth in a very real way. So. We're bare foot and we're loving it.

This weekend we also went on a little exploration with Daddy. It's amazing how little kids re-discover the world around them when the seasons change. It's magical, I swear. Exploring the world through the eyes of a child is the best spirit-lifter I know! This Saturday we took the girls for a walk through the park and oh did we explore! We found lady bugs, and spiders, and flowers. Daddy even let Scarlett dip her feet in the creek before our little picnic.