let's fly a kite

With the spring breezes blowing late into the evening, a sunset kite flight makes for the perfect end to the day.  This was our first kite adventure with the kids.  The little one was happier picking grass for pretend soup, but the big girl was delighted to see the bright kite in the sky.  Flying it herself and watching it dip and turn with the wind was quite the thrill for her.

big beds

Somehow it was easier this time around.  With our first, we had this day of the "big bed" moveover planned for weeks.  Yesterday, it just seemed time for our little one to make the move to the "big bed" in her room.  As with most parenting, I have found that decisions with the second child come so easily unlike the decisions with the first kid that I hemmed and hawed over for weeks. 

The twin iron bed on the other side of the room was stripped of its existing bedding and new sheets were proudly picked from the selection Momma has tucked away.  The butterfly sheets were washed and the bed was made with towel bolsters tucked under the fitted sheet to prevent any falls.

While naptime was reduced to 45 minutes from the usual 2 hours, I was delighted to have her in a big bed.  Last night it took some time to fall asleep in a new place with new shadows of light but sleep finally came and lasted all night.  With a little luck and a willing and excited new participant, I hope it will continue to be a smooth transition!

playing with fire {ants}

I turned my back for a minute to take some photos of the most amazing wildflowers while I was out in the greenbelt with my girls.  I thought they were sweetly smelling the flowers and picking the few that are ok to pick.  When I turned around I found them crouched down fiddling with something on the ground.

They both had large chunky sticks and were intently focused on what they were doing while ignoring my calls.  When I got to where they were, I found them playing with huge ants.  My big girl was pounding the ground with her stick as the little one watched intently.  Then the little one began stuffing the flowers she had picked down the hole of the mound.  Both were totally unafraid and unaware of how badly a fire ant can itch and sting.   

For a moment while I snapped this photo, I was in absolute disbelief that they weren't upset by the largest ants I have ever seen, but instead were happily beating them with sticks and stuffing flowers down their ant hole.  

Thankfully, we all escaped before they got too mad about their hole being plugged up with magenta-colored flowers.

beautiful roses

The roses are blooming and are magnificent!  Their large full blossoms remind me of hydrangeas but their scent is sweet like a gardenia.  I love the way simple cut flowers can quickly and effortlessly transform the ambiance of a room.

it's that time again...

Each year around this time we drive out to a charming little farm in the country to pick the sweetest strawberries.  This year they were especially red and wonderfully sweet from the warmer weather and spring rain.

  My kids love the thrill of finding the perfect red berry that smells sweet.  My big girl coached her sister the whole way out about the art of picking...

"don't get the green ones"

"pick from the stem, not the berry"

 

In addition to the sweet berries, there were tractor train rides and funny little goats to feed.

This little farm also sells their own strawberry jam and lots of local butters and honey.  It is wonderful to feast on homemade local treats.

A morning spent outdoors amongst ripe rows of berries and warm sunshine is quite the springtime treat!

we just can't get into the swing of things...

via

It is getting ridiculous, we just can't seem to get into the swing of things around here since the time change.  We are all officially goofed up.  Everyone is sleeping in, napping at odd hours, staying up late with the sun and I walk around in a drowsy daze all day.  Next week is going to be a killer when we actually have to be accountable with the new time.  This morning we had to be up for an appointment.  When I woke my big girl she asked why we were up in the middle of the night.  Poor kid, 6:30am feels like midnight to her.  

   I can't help but wonder why we put ourselves through this misery every 6 months.  Why can't we just leave the clocks and let the sun do what it wish at different times of the year?

Ahhh!

luck

Wishing you lots of luck this St. Patty's Day!  Maybe you'll happen upon a four-leaf clover!