I have my eyes closed and my face is turned into the warm wind. It’s here. I can feel it, spring.
Such a fickle season, spring, barely stopping by for a visit between the too long visits of gloomy winter and the scorching heat of summer. Those precious few days when spring actually visits are spent outside, only outside.
“Hey Mom!” Carson exclaims. “I have an idea!”
“What is it Carson?” I ask, though knowing what he’s going to say.
“Let’s eat dinner outside, okay?”
So we eat dinner outside. Because we can.
Spring, stick around for awhile, will ya?
*****
I drew hopscotch on the patio for the kids, at Carson’s request. I don’t even know how to play hopscotch.
“Mom, we hafta get a rock. See? I fro it and jump.”
Ella tries to mimic Carson, but still doesn’t quite have the balance to jump.
They both fall down, one with skinned elbows, the other with a skinned ego.
With the warm weather, I suspect there will be a lot more of that going around.
*****
My stance on early bedtimes is wavering. I can concede (Finally!) that sometimes it’s okay to stay up late.
Instead we play outside (because we can) until what used to be their strict bedtime. Around and around, Carson totes Ella in his monster truck.
Battles over whose turn it is and crying that lasts a little too long over minor scrapes clues us in that it’s time to go inside. They barely put up a fight, their sun-kissed bodies are simply too tired as Tate and I scoop them up and carry them inside.
*****
At the end of a busy day of playing outside, I hold her tightly on my lap before bathtime. I press my nose into her hair and smell dirt.
That’s the sign of a day well spent.
Love spring! Things like this make me feel like a brand new person.
Shelly´s lastest post..Mr. Pickles
Yes, yes it is. We’ve had some outside dinners too. I love them.
Rayne of Terror´s lastest post..
Well said! I LOVE spring! I’m like you, I can’t stay inside when the weather is spring-like. And I refuse to wear closed-toed shoes unless I absolutely have to. Dean had his first taste of dirt the other day. Potting soil, to be exact.
Jen L.´s lastest post..How bout a little audience participation?
I also love spring. Watching the kids play outside was something that I have so many photos of because I wanted to cherish it always. Now most of my outside spring time is spent chasing down The Chicken who hasn’t told me that she was taking off on a bike ride around the neighborhood.
Domestic Extraordinaire´s lastest post..Haiku Friday-The Us edition
LOVE spring! Especially after such a crappy winter up here in NH. We’ve had a couple of glimpses, but it hasn’t fully arrived yet. Can’t wait to stay outside long enough to play hopscotch
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday: Who did that?!
So true! Spring seems like it’s only here for a glorious instant! Welcome fun afternoons! We’ve missed you!
Hillary @ The Other Mama´s lastest post..Holy Spirit v. Holy Ghost
UGH. WE still have snow. A lot of it. However, it doesnt’ stop us too much from trying to get outside, for everyone’s sanity.
Springtime is the best isn’t it! We’ve been spending tons of time outside (although it’s been chilly lately) and we’re just loving it.
Enjoy!
supermommy´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday: M-I-C-K-E-Y!
i wish we had spring in toronto…but, sigh, we have cold cold cold until june and then BAM! boiling.
I emailed BEFORE i read this. Ahhh I see you already have it figured out.
Because we can.
The shadow picture really is awesome.. but you already know this yes?
Amen, Jennifer. Still waiting for that breath of spring here in MA.
Trenches of Mommyhood´s lastest post..To Nap or Not to Nap…That is the Question
Amen.
I Live in Vermont. Eez no springs here : (
juliet´s lastest post..Diversity Myth
I love the spring cant come fast enough
most beautiful time of the year
Jesse´s lastest post..Waiting for megadrum pcb
What a great post — I love spring…and I love hopscotch too! How did you grow up without playing?!
Maggie´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday: Itty Bitty
Unfortunately, spring hasn’t sprung here yet. Darn, Seattle! I’ll have to live vicariously through you guys for the moment.
A day well spent and a day well played. I love spring too.
Our early bedtime routine has gone out the window since daylight savings :-/ I used to be a strict 7pm’er, but it’s so hard when it’s light out and they’re clearly not sleepy yet… I miss my extra hour at night!
MommyNamedApril´s lastest post..Cooking is Overrated. Chinese Food is Underrated.
Spring is sooooooo lovely, isn’t it?
Those are indeed great family days. I’m looking forward to many of them in the months to come.
Maggie´s lastest post..Another Giveaway
spring. yay!
the planet of janet´s lastest post..(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Quilted
When our boys were very small, we always made it a point to spend the first nice Spring Saturday we could, at the zoo. One in the stroller – one on my shoulders. With a Hot Dog and Coke, and Hot Chocolates at the end of the day to get our warmth up – because eventually the day would get too chilly and it would be time to get the boys home and warm.
Ah, memories. Thanks.
lceel´s lastest post..100 Word Challenge – Myself – and a Photo
excellent! you really capture the season.
mpotter´s lastest post..sweet memory for someone else
“I press my nose into her hair and smell dirt.
That’s the sign of a day well spent.”
I love it, the whole phrase feels like spring!
Sigh. I love this post.
Miss´s lastest post..I’m just…
Indeed.
I am so looking forward to Tyler learning to walk and interact. I read this and I long for it.
Soon, Joe…. soon.
Joe @ Irrational Dad´s lastest post..He Has a Future in Lawn Maintenance
Yes, yes.
BRING IT ON, SPRING!!
the new girl´s lastest post..Fun Fact Friday!!