03.22

An afternoon schedule I hope repeats: open windows, open doors, Reds on radio, boys riding bikes, dinner cooking.

03.21

It’s true that we should have spent more of our time outside today. But we made the time we had out there count.

03.20

No phase is the perfect phase. It’s hard not to focus on the current negatives and long for the easier days. But there is so much to enjoy now.

03.19

The day was full of color: circus posters, yarn, Legos, grass, peacock feathers, and more.

03.18

Today was simple. Today was full of meaning and memories.

03.17

It doesn’t seem right, putting them to bed before the sun has set. I tell myself I’ll push back their bedtime in the summer. But it might be hard to give up the quiet evenings.

03.16

A month ago, this little reminder would have been a lifeline. Now, I’m strongly swimming into Spring with no need of rescue.

03.15

It always seems like more trouble than it’s worth. Happily, that’s never the case.

03.14

Change the word from “bath” to “soak,” remove the threat of a hair washing, and suddenly it’s the best idea of the day.

03.13

It’s going to take us all a week to get used to this.

03.12

He won’t say a word when a smiling stranger asks how old he is (sticking out his tongue or covering his ears instead.) But give him a carnival game swamped by elementary school kids and he’s fearless.

03.11

I wonder when he’ll decide if he’s left-handed or right. Batting, there’s no question. Definitely a lefty. Everything else is yet to be determined.

03.10

A day of friends, some old, some brand new.

03.09

My brain is running wild with potential projects. Meanwhile, the stuff I know I need to do, I’m putting off.

03.08

He wasn’t doing it to be funny. It was just something he needed to try, I guess.

03.07

What do I have to be anxious about? Perspective is a thing that often eludes me.

03.06

It’s a big time investment, but everyone agrees, it’s worth the work.

03.05

Owen said it was the perfect day for staying inside and playing video games. I tend to think, even if it had been sunny and seventy degrees, in his mind, it would have been the perfect day for playing video games.

03.04

It rained all day, but we were prepared with our boots and jackets and umbrellas. The boys chose to get wet.

03.03

There’s scenery everywhere. Sometimes I’d like to pull the car over and get out the camera.

03.02

At the end of the day, the smell of the chilly spring air clung to our hair and our clothes. We all agreed, we were glad that Spring was beginning. We wished Winter farewell.

03.01

He called me over to show me that his was the first one sprouting. One of the only things that’s happened at school recently that he’s actually wanted to talk about.

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.