Three Signs that Summer is at Hand!

1. Yesterday Brian and I had some Rita's I-talian ice, and sat in the shade to beat the heat ... a little.

2. I felt it was finally safe to plant things in our mini garden plot today.  I know nothing about gardening and have low hopes for our "crops."  But it is fun to dig in the dirt and watch things grow!

itty-bitty zinnias

itty-bitty carrots

Now we've just got to get a weed whacker
for the rest of the space!

3. This afternoon, Elizabeth asked about getting out our sprinkler elephant.  I wanted to say no, but had no good reason not to give it a shot.  I'm glad she suggested it; they had a blast!

It's not officially summer yet, but these last few days have me looking forward to it!

Park Week!

This mom declared it Park Week in honor of the amazing weather.  Each day we are visiting a different park we have never been to or have not been to recently.  Naturally, I've neglected to take my camera either place we've visited so far.  Here's what we've done.

Birmingham Bridge in background

Day 1: afternoon visit to the by Ormsby field in the South Side, adjacent to the Birmingham Bridge.  We've seen this little park on a couple of trips over to the South Side and have wanted to check it out.  Challenges here: one parent using inappropriate words with (her own) and around the young children playing); one child  calling a girl Elizabeth was playing with "dumb as a donkey" several times in a mocking tone; leaving early because Elizabeth's foot started feeling like it was "splitting in half" because of the overuse of cheap flip-flops lately.  (She wore supportive shoes today for soccer and was fine; phew!)

Day 2: morning visit to the Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side where we met up with Hilary and Miles to play, picnic, and enjoy the sunshine.  The sunshine did not disappoint!  Nor did the ducks who are practically tame - so many folks feed must them they expect it and swim toward people on the banks of the pond.  And the company was lovely.  Challenges here:  Brian wet his pants; Brian disobeyed and soaked his spare pants in the pond water.  He was really unfazed by both, but since we weren't heading home afterward, I had to pick up some shorts for him at St. Vincent de Paul's.  This all worked out really, because it was 1/2 off kids stuff day; I scored three (very much needed) pairs of shorts for Elizabeth too!

Reflections on "Park Week" thus far:

• Elizabeth will need to wear supportive shoes all summer.
• Living in the city means being near people who are different from you; I'm just glad I can be available to answer my kids' questions when they arise and that Jesus loved me while I was still a sinner - so I can call behaviors wrong, not the people.
• Remember to take Brian to the bathroom.
• I'm thankful that Elizabeth has not had to encounter much meanness from peers ... yet.
• Allegheny Commons is BEAUTIFUL and I could will go there at least once a week this summer: small playgrounds, open green space, pond with bridges and an island, train tracks (for the boy!), Hilary and family near enough to join us, beautiful north side architecture, and the aviary.
• Take along extra clothes for all on the above mentioned visits.

I don't know how the weather is where you are; but if you live in a place where it's grey for a while, when you see multiple days of sunshine and warm temps in the forecast, I highly recommend declaring a Park Week.

Tomorrow it's the all-wood playground in Highland Park!  You in?

A Blessed Home

We moved into our new home in January.  With the beginnings of spring, we're getting outside more and have discovered a couple of things in the flower bed.

Inside the house we've found many miniature statues of Jesus, angels, and saints, in addition to many Sacred Heart Auto League stickers on windows.  This home was at the very least inhabited by someone religious, if not a devout follower of Jesus, and I like to think she prayed for the next family that would live in her long-time home.  In a way, I feel connected to that spry old woman who I may never meet.  God binds us together in that way, doesn't he?

It's a lovely spring day here today.  We're seeing the first sunshine we've seen since I returned from Boston.  All the rain brought on a lot of GREEN; the grass and plants are looking so lush.  It's beautiful!

This is what our back patio looks like (imagine the panorama.)

We're getting a few things started:

lettuce, carrots, zinnias.

 Some final signs of spring to share with you before signing off:

The windows are open!

The yard is in use!

Elizabeth's wearing capris!

I do hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods, city, country, or suburb today!  We're feeling ultra thankful for it here.

The Pittsburgh Zoo in the Cold

We went to the zoo for our January end-of-the-month field trip.*

It was freezing.

I bundled the kids in their snow gear, slathered their faces with Aquaphor, and we had a great time!

parking wasn't a problem

pacing tiger, waiting for something

he kindly walked by this window, even rubbing his giant head against it,
like he wanted us to pet him

the elephants indoors

LUNCH!

got to see the polar bear dive in for a swim;
he too graciously swam near to say hello

the three baby tigers were out by the time we left!

The monkey house was CRAZY!

I think the animals are more fun when it's cold; my brother had mentioned this to me a while ago.  There aren't as many of them, but they're certainly more active than in the summer.  The Pittsburgh Zoo is really a lovely place.  If you come to visit, we'll take you along!

*A new school tradition we established this year is to take a field trip the last day of the month, preceded by a "fun" breakfast (ie: better than cereal).  It keeps me using our memberships and it's good to just have fun; school can sometimes get to be a little monotonous.

Playing in the Leaves with Cousin Isaac

I can't really get enough of the fall leaves. Oh the variety of trees expressing themselves through the autumnal rainbow of colors! I know the winter will be upon us with its lifeless browns and greys, so I now savor the crunch beneath my feet, the glorious views of tree-covered hills, and the vigor of raking up a jumping pile for my kids.

Last weekend we spent a little time with my sister and her son, Isaac, taking advantage of the leaves in my parent's yard.

SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMERTIME!

Playgrounds, Picnics, & Pools

Slip 'n Slide, Sandbox, & Swings

It's tiring, but being a mom in the summer is also pretty stinkin' fun!

The Chahls Rivah

The Charles River has played a large role in our life while here in Cambridge. We will miss it. Fortunately we're going to a city with three rivers, so we don't have to go through withdraw! Last Sunday we headed up the river a little to stroll along the bank. I love the Charles River Reservation. And I like these pictures so I wanted to share them.