02.28

Spring is creeping in.

02.27

My boys were so sweet today. I told them they were a pleasure to be with. We all just needed to fill our lungs with fresh air to get back to who we are supposed to be.

02.26

Today, I gathered my courage. I didn’t care if people were looking at me, wondering what I was doing. I took the pictures.

02.25

Contented.

02.24

Things that make me happy: buying new stuff, stuff that organizes, the smooth skin of a freshly bathed kid.

02.23

It’s not unusual for the birds to stop us in our tracks. We run to the window to watch them circle. We stop to listen to their eerie song. We stand mesmerized by their silhouette against the sky.

02.22

In nearly every corner of my life exist these little collections of randomness. I haven’t figured out for sure yet if it’s me or them. I’d like to think them, but I’m realistic. And untidy.

02.21

Today the gray was enveloping. I need more light.

02.20

Spring slipped away today. But it won’t be gone long.

02.19

All the characters and story lines and poignant moments are swirling together in my head.

02.18

The first time all year I only took one photo the entire day.

02.17

Around our house, preparations for visits from Grandma begin days in advance of her arrival.

02.16

He said, “Mom, look! It’s summer outside! It must be summer because it smells like summer. It smells like camping. Is it summer?” It was that kind of beautiful outside today.

02.15

I gave them reason to hope for three tasty treats by day’s end. I only accomplished one. But it was a double batch, so that has to count for something.

02.14

The sky was moody today. Sun to clouds to sun.

02.13

This is the extent of the Valentine’s decorations at our house this year. I’m trying to keep Owen from recognizing that. He’d be devastated if he knew we let a holiday slide by without the appropriate festooning.

02.12

It’s hard to appreciate a lazy, stay home Saturday without a week full of places to go and things to do.

02.11

He asked me the other day if my thumbs were bigger than his. I told them they were, but they wouldn’t always be. One day, I told him, you’ll be bigger than me.

02.10

Everything today was off. Out of focus. Blurry. Wrong.

02.09

She had described it to me, even drawn me a picture, but I still wasn’t prepared for the level of cute this cup possessed.

02.08

It’s so hard to know whether he wants to be taken seriously or he wants you to laugh at his silliness. I guess incorrectly most of the time.

02.07

I was so excited to find this deal of a lamp. Then I thought it was a big mistake. Now, it’s perfect and I absolutely love it.

02.06

Our football celebrations revolve around food: coneys, cheeseburgers, fries, Sunchips, mint Oreos, Chips Ahoy, cheesy pretzel bites, root beer, Gatorade. Hooray for the Super Bowl!

02.05

He makes his sets, I make mine.

02.04

Poor duck. Went from star of the show to carving board in less than an hour. His head would have looked great mounted over the mantle.

02.03

I can still feel the excitement and hopefulness and fearlessness and “ready to fail” mindset, but the adrenaline buzz is starting to wear off.

02.02

We figured out this morning that it was only technically his 96th day of school, but who can pass up a party like this?!

02.01

The ice wasn’t enough to cancel school, but because of the sickness, we were homebound anyway. Frozen to our spots the entire day.