The Doldrums

We didn't have a winter this year, but we're having an extended sorta-spring/sorta-winter season instead and it's icky. However, the next week is looking incredible. I am not the social type of mom who feels the need (or desire) to be out at classes and groups every minute. In fact, I kind of hate that. But somehow we're starting to spend a lot more time out of the home, and at this point it's about 60/40. With school starting in the fall I know the split will trend even further to "out" and I realize it's inevitable as kids age. I also was aware of how lucky I was when the kids were tiny that I could just cozy up at home 95% of the time, so I don't regret this change too much; I was able to "be present" and soak it up. All that to say, we have met some fun friends at our Thursday ItoI playgroup. As in, the kids like the kids and I like their moms. That's kinda rare. It's taken 5 years, but I think I've found my mom friends. For this season in life at least. And now we're playdating up a storm. Group on Tuesday and Thursday, park get-togethers on Wednesday, Friday we've been going to an "Auntie"'s house to help her grocery shop and get loved on (that's another thing; after living this whole time away from family, in the past six months we've had 3 older woman move into our lives that are acting as surrogate great-aunts, aunts, and mentors. The kids are spoiled rotten, and I'm loving their wisdom). Weekends of course are for adventuring and church, so that leaves just Monday to do "nothing".
The coming two weeks are going to be packed, we have visitors back-to-back, and then Steve is taking the last week off. To do what, we don't know, but we're terrible about intentionally taking vacation time, so we're just having a week to goof off. So what have we been up to for the first two weeks of the month?

There was this one warm day....

Lunch, every day. Roasted broccoli, cauliflower and mushrooms. For the last 5 minutes add chick peas that have been soaking in Franks hot sauce, maple syrup, and sriracha. Addicting. So, so, soooo addicting. And of course kombucha, because it's "healthy" and caffeinated, and also addicting.

Spent one very rainy Saturday car shopping. I went into the lot, spotted the car I wanted, and Steve kindly bought it for me. (He also dealt with all the logistics of getting it mechanic-reviewed, inspected, repaired, all that nonsense). I'm hoping my track record for picking out cars holds true, the scan and select method has so far served me very well. 

Papa has been giving the kids lego sets and they're pretty in love with them. Especially because they're pirates. 

And then it snowed

...and the kids built a snow turkey

Lunch date at Potbelly's. Henri ate an entire meatball sub (that child loves her meatballs!).

Hudson had to have blood drawn, so we went out afterwards to treat him. He did fantastic, just wanted Henri to hold his hand and he held perfectly still and had a few tears at the start, was laughing and smiling by the time they were done. He also said his name for the first time ever when they asked him identification for the labs. Up till now he'll just say "me" when you ask him. But he's in the middle of a huge speech explosion and it's so fun to hear what he's been thinking about all this time. I get a whole story about what the squirrels have been up to every afternoon when I get him from nap (he likes to watch them out his window).

After nap time one day Henri handed me this and said she'd made it for me. Pretty sure she's never read Treasure Island, but she's uncanny for a kid her age so who knows....Been looking over my shoulder ever since. 

Flowers survived the snow.

Back to sunny but chilly weather. Didn't take any pictures, but on Sat we raked the yard, the kids planted their garden, I weeded and mulched the flower beds, and we cleaned up the South hill. 

Sunday afternoon we walked the Battle Road Trail with some friends

They ended up coming over for a casual dinner afterwards and to watch the end of the Masters and it was pretty idyllic. Might attempt a repeat this week since it's supposed to be in the 70's!

We go for a longish walk every day, and each time have to end up here so Hen can watch the speed monitor and see which cars are following the law, and Hudson can play with stones. 

The Grey Betty came home! Nothing terribly fancy, another Honda Civic. But we've upgraded to 4 doors, and this is newer by 6 years (and 140K miles...). We're now a 2-car family, and after seven-and-a-half years of nightly conversations about transportation logistics, it's a huge change. Getting the kids into carseats is going to be much nicer on our aging backs as well :)

The kids are pretty excited about the new car, although Henri noted during her inspection that there are no cup holders for the kids. There's a chance I'll stick with my old car and Steve gets the new one after all....

Finally getting the good stuff down here! Wasn't a fan of the Chunky Monkey, the chocolate brownie was OK, but this!!!!! Oh wow, insanely good. I'm guessing also caffeinated, because after eating half  the pint I was awake pretty much all night. Totally worth it. 

And park meet-up today. I love this park, it's got tons of running space, and the structures are challenging climbing ones that I can get a fantastic workout on (who am I kidding, I can barely climb any of it...), and it's not busy. 

Despite running for 2 hours straight with his friends, Hudson is wide awake so I guess nap time is over. We'll head back out to take advantage of this great weather while it lasts. :)