Spring

In no particular order...

Daisies and tulips, some bought for my girls' weekend, some for Mother's Day.

Mere moments till this one is walking, I'm sure. He spends most of his time standing these days.

Dinner at Logan with my dear friends from college. The weekend deserves its own post.

Climbing...everywhere.

Anna happens to be into climbing right now...trees instead of stairs.

Blake came home and showed her how it's really done in our apple tree.

A mere three days left of preschool. The kids made a zoo, complete with animals (including a parrot, of course). In just days I will have a kindergartener. 

In the back yard.

Three More Days

My girlfriends from college will be here in just three days for our annual reunion. I cannot wait for this time with them. I am so tired, both physically and mentally, and it's always so revitalizing to spend time with these wonderful women. I get to host this year, which means, despite my exhaustion, I've been in spring cleaning mode. Clothes have been donated or sent to Mo D's garage sale - yes, I reluctantly (because I'm sentimental, not because i want another) parted with handfuls of bins containing Anna's and Leo's baby clothes - I passed along maternity clothes, and cleaned out and organized closets, cupboards, and drawers. All if this has, of course, been done in short spurts of time when I can find a few minutes. It means, as usual of late, that I haven't been blogging. I have some cute photos of Anna at her first gymnastics meet that I need to download from my camera, which will probably happen after the weekend. For now, I have plenty of phone camera pics to illustrate our lives this past week or two.

The full moon this month...made our kids bounce off the walls.

Their first bath together.

Papa and his mini-me.

First picnic on the deck.

A little boy lives here:)

Aunt Kaity's graduation from UM Engineering!

Izzy came for a visit with Papa and Mo Mox...Anna fell in love.

Minestrone soup.

More rough-housing.

Green eggs and ham for dinner.

Planting purple and white flowers in our pots with Mo Mox.

Anna and me at the hair salon. She watching Rio, of course.

So proud to have mastered standing on his own.

Golfing with Daddy and driving the cart way too fast!

Another proud grin.

Nine Months

Two days ago, Leo hadn't babbled a consonant sound. One day ago, literally overnight, he started vocalizing mama, nana, dada, and he did it over and over again, as if he'd been doing it for weeks. Such has been the last month for Leo. He was barely sitting up unassisted at 8 months, and now he is not only sitting on his own, but he is also crawling, climbing over us when we are on the floor with him, and pulling himself up onto his knees and, today, to standing. I fear he will be walking in just weeks. I fear because it is so hard to keep a house safe for little ones constantly putting everything in their mouths when there's also an almost five year old running around with pop beads, markers, and a hundred other objects unsuitable for this oral phase. And, because this child already finds the one or two things he cannot have in a room full of perfectly acceptable items.

Leo is so very sweet. I'm sure I say this with each monthly post. He loves to snuggle and give big open mouth kisses. He is so in love with Anna, and if she sits on the ground, he is quick to climb all over her. It is surely one of my greatest daily joys watching them play together, or more appropriately, watching Anna attempt to engage and entertain Leo while he grabs at her and the toys she's playing with. She loves him so much, too, and she tells him regularly.

We may be tired and worn out beyond belief, but this little guy brings so many smiles to each day. I can't imagine our lives without him.