Welcome Spring!

Happy Spring! I am so ready for spring this year. The first day of spring this year is also "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day". It's been 40 years since The Very Hungry Caterpillar was first published - and he's still going strong! There's a neat video of Eric Carle talking about The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the link above. Enjoy the beginning of springtime!

first buddies

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic lately, so I couldn't resist sharing a picture of Marek and one of his very first friends, Talus, at a playdate a couple of years ago. Back when Marek was more of a blondie!!

late winter snow

We had a few hints at snowy days not too long ago where we live. Marek would wake up very excited to see snow flurries and then be very disappointed an hour or so later when there was no trace of snow left. Luckily he had the opportunity to be up in Washington state during a late winter snow last weekend. He'd been begging to build a snowman (with a carrot nose and blueberries for a smile) for a few weeks. He finally got his chance (substitute raisins for the blueberries)! I know most of my friends in Washington were not thrilled with the extra snow, but it made my little boy's day!

lambing season

It was lambing season at the local university's sheep barns recently. They have a few weeks during this time each year that the barns are open to the public. We didn't get around to visiting the barns until the very last week possible. But then we went about 3 times that week! Marek even managed to get an invitation to visit the cow barns (not usually open to the public). Those baby lambs were so cute. I always turn into a Little House on the Prairie-wannabe during trips to farms. Marek really enjoyed being at the barns, but didn't seem to want his picture taken. Posing with a little attitude for this photo!

love of my life

Seriously, need I say more? I love this little guy more than anything else in the world. I am one happy, happy mother to have him as my boy.

Supporting a Great Cause

This past weekend was an auction event for M's Montessori preschool. It was a really nice event and we had a great time! I think the event was pretty successful too, which is a nice surprise given the economy.

M spent the afternoon playing preschool. He really has enjoyed himself there and is growing a lot. He's become much more comfortable and I love how much he is learning there! I'm excited when he tells me about the topics he's learning about, the "activities" he has tried and "lessons" he's been given, sings song he has learned there, talks of the friends he is making, and shares his creative artwork with me. But I also love how he happily adheres to the rules of his classroom, is considerate and thoughtful, is orderly and conscientious... I feel blessed to have the opportunity to give him this education as his first school experience. He has an amazing, kind and gentle teacher as well. We just love her.

He's also been really getting into his bicycle, too. We've had crazy weather here lately, but on the nicer days we've been heading outside for active play and bike riding. I'll have to include pictures of it here soon!

Off to sleep and read....hoping all of you are having a good start to your week!

birthday celebration

When I came home for dinner tonight, Marek and his Grandma had made a birthday cake from scratch for Marek's stuffed animal, "Num". As you can see, Marek helped decorate the cake. It was so sweet to watch. Marek was so proud of himself! He sang happy birthday to Num, had the dog make a wish and then he blew out the candle. Right before we ate our slices of cake, Marek announced that he wanted to say a prayer. He said, "Thank you God for everything. Thank you God for cake and sprinkles and treats. And we hope we can have another birthday. Amen." Then he went on a prayer marathon, folding his hands and saying, "Thank you God for everything. Amen" over and over. The prayers occassionally differed a bit ("Thank you God for everything, well...not everything, but...well, ummm...Amen!"). So sweet and so funny.