Checking in

Not too much to say today, but I figure I better check in with this space every once in a while. I know the posts don't come very often these days, but spring has come early and we are busier than ever. The regular old stuff of life mixed with busy summer planning. The garden needs a good clean up – I confess I didn't really put the beds to bed last fall. I'm putting some good effort into getting the canning kitchen in working order. And we've decided to get bees! My sister and I are going to be beekeepers! (Nate plans to watch from a distance for a while.) We will be assembling our hives tomorrow and getting things ready. Our bees will arrive in April. I can't wait! 
And, totally unrelated to all that, here's a few photos from our Saturday morning. 
Nate ran the Shamrock Shuffle, finishing the 10k in 45:47 – a personal record! Have I mentioned he's signed up for two more marathons? And he said he'd never do another one... 

While Nate was running, we took a little walk up Bascom Hill with Grandpa and Mary, visited Abe Lincoln, and showed Walter the dorm both Mary and I lived in. (Chadbourne Hall, in case you're curious.) 

Seeing Walter in shorts for the first time in months – the kid is a beanpole!
We finished off our morning with a trip to the zoo. 


Well, I guess I had a few things to say after all. Guess I should stop by more often. :) 

A spring day

You guys! The high temp today was 62°! Beeeeeautiful! A perfect evening to play outside in a Mama-made sweater. It's Tuesday – he said he'd wear it on Tuesdays. 

I've been letting Walter take some pictures with my camera lately. It makes him more willing to have his photo taken. He's learning how to look through the viewfinder and aim the camera. He took this one of me today. I think he's getting the hang of it. 

Sunday morning

He waits patiently for the coffee to be ready. 

Because when the coffee is ready, Mama is ready – to play! 

There's no way I could have built this thing without coffee. :) 






The marble game and the camera kept us busy for hours. The floors didn't get vacuumed, the laundry didn't get started, but really, this was a much better way to spend a Sunday morning.

Little Hoodlum

It's finished! Walter's sweater is done. Of course, he says he doesn't like it. It's the chance you take when you make things for kids. Or anyone for that matter. But he said he might wear it on Tuesdays. We shall see...


I had to bribe him with a prize to get him to put it on and pose for some photos. For every nice shot I got, I got about 16 silly ones. The pattern is Little Hoodlum by Julia Stanfield. Perfect name, I think.



One more down, one more WIP to go!

35 years!

Saturday was Nate's 35th birthday. We had a little party. In order to keep both kids and adults entertained, I decided we should have a little fun with our birthday boy. Everybody got a chance to decorate Nate. 





Nate, you've never looked so good! Happy birthday! We love you!

My Valentines

Oh, these boys! Nothing is cuter than having your 3-year-old bring you a handmade card and a bouquet of flowers at work. Nicely done, fellas! In return, I cooked them up a big steak dinner and we ate by candlelight. A little party in our kitchen, with heart-shaped cookies for dessert. Best Valentine's Day ever!

(Me and my little Valentine.)

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Walter's frog

Walter: Can we sew a frog, Mama?
Me: I don't think I know how to sew a frog.
Walter: I'll make you some instructions.

We followed them as closely as we could.



And, in case there is any confusion, here's the explanation I got:

Turns out, frogs are good for balancing on your head, too.