Kairos in Spring

Spring is in full swing. It's beautiful! It's a full on Kairos opportunity.

I enjoy and appreciate the beauty of Spring a little bit more each year. I notice more each year older I get.

I love hearing the birds chirping. I can hear them before the sun is even up. When I take the dogs out to potty in the morning I like to stand still in the yard and listen to all the chatter of birds. I have several bird feeders up and I get so excited to see the birds at them. I can't wait to see my first yellow finch of the year! I've also noticed crows flying with twigs in their beaks. They are shoring up their nests for Spring time chicks.

This year the frogs have been very loud. I adore them! There are places in the neighborhood where the congregate and as I walk past I like to stand and listen. It's funny though if I get too close they all stop. Once I move on they begin the croaking again.

I enjoy looking at the trees and bushes and flowers sending out new buds and blooming. Everything bloomed early this year so we have had a lot to enjoy.

Kids are playing outside more, especially since it's light out until almost bedtime. It's nice to sit on my deck and watch my kids run and play. I also like to hear the sounds of other kids in yards up and down the street out playing. I don't have toddlers any more so appreciate the neighbor kids who are. Even when they are pitching a fit in true toddler fashion I enjoy it. Is that evil of me?! Hey, I've experienced plenty of those moments and am far enough away from them that I do think it's funny again.

The dogs are happy to find sunshine to curl up in...even if it's on top of the picnic table. Sheesh Rocket! I don't know how I'll break that bad habit. He also stands up on it so he can look in the window and say, "HEY, ya gonna let me inside now?!". Stinker!

The kids are growing by leaps and bounds. Spring is the season of high water pants. I think everyone needs new pants but I always just wait it out until summer when they give up pants for shorts. Even their pj pants are all looking like capri length pants.

Deck time has begun. It's been warm enough to sit out on the sofa and soak up some sun. Soon the rest of the furniture will come out. It's on of my favorite places.

So many warmer weather things to look forward to...and so much to enjoy right now.

Deck Fun

Our deck was finished at the end of last summer. But, we didn't have any deck furniture. Finally we bought a set. I love it!! It's beautiful and very comfortable and there is enough seating for our big family. 

You can see that the sofa is a great napping area. 

So far the temps have only been in the mid 50's to upper 60's but we have had lots of deck time. The kids bring out a blanket and cozy up. Most of the furniture is under the cover of the roof so you can even sit outside in the rain. Tuba loves the furniture so much that while I was doing dishes and cleaning up dinner he kept yelling, "Mama, Ahhhhhhhh!", to let me know nice it was. LOL...just what I want to hear while I'm cleaning. 

We moved the picnic table out to the end of our deck and it goes perfect there!! We need a couple new umbrellas to complete the setting. It's almost time to plant my flowers in pots too. It's going to be amazing! Come by for a visit and a drink....cause I'm never leaving!

The kids all love the deck. In fact Sis loves it so much this is what she wrote for her St. Patrick's Day craft at school. So fun! 

I've declared that it's Happy Hour every day between 4-5:00....give or take. Snacks, yummy drinks and put your feet up. I plan to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy the surroundings as much as I can. 

Spring Break

We had a fantastic spring break. Cam took the week off too. Vacation Baby!!

Usually when we have a staycation I don't really relax. It's hard to be home and look around at everything that needs to be done and yet relax.

But, this time I think I did it! Cam got the party started with a surprise trip to our favorite beach! Yippee!! He booked two nights at a beach front condo. It was CHEAP!! Best of all it was very fun.

We headed out on Easter Sunday (Western Easter to us)....we still have a few weeks to go yet. Our easter....Pascha is May 5 this year.

After coming home we spent the week hanging out and having fun....and trying not to do chores. :)

We saw The Croods. Very fun! We had movie tickets from Nana and Grandpa so it was a super bargain for us....$13.00 for popcorn and pop. Okay, that's not a bargain but it was all we had to pay for. It's really fun that the kids are all old enough to enjoy the theater now. Listening to the kids giggle was great!

We spent more time at the beach....our local rocky beach. The boys played catch with Cam and the littles ran and played and threw rocks into the water with Tuba. Then ice cream and french fries in the sunshine. Magical I tell you!

We went to a mid-week church service. It was so nice to enjoy a Lenten liturgy as a family. The pre-sanctified liturgy is one of my favorite services. It's truly beautiful.

The boys attended TKD classes with Cam. They had testing at the end of the week. We now have a red belt (Busy Guy), a second degree red belt (Mr. P) and Cam had a midterm testing....he's a 1st degree black belt.

Then we headed into the big city and played tourist. We took the kids to a very fun neighborhood called Fremont.

Fremont is full of fun things to do and see....for mostly free. The troll under the bridge is a must see. The big boys had just watched The Hobbit so they were especially interested in seeing this troll.

Then we wandered around looking at things. There are many statues and a rocket and ships and more trolls. We stopped for a hot drink at Fremont Coffee. They made fabulous foam art! The kids (and I) were thrilled. We sat on the outdoor wrap around porch and watched the people go by. 

Time to snuggle and visit.

Then off to find more sights. There were lots of fun shops which Sis and I wanted to go into....but we were outvoted. Ahhhh, another day.

We ended our week with church on Sunday and then it was time to get ready for back to school and work. Phooey! 

It went so fast...but it was so much fun!

Sunshine

Spring is here and we have had two days of sunshine and warmer temps. Yipeeee! I feel like a dark blanket has been lifted off of me. It is amazing what a little outdoor time can do for you. Since it's Confession Friday I'll confess that I do not make my kids play outside in the winter. I give it a lame attempt but fail miserably at it. So, from Oct. - Mar....or even April we play inside. I don't blame the kids. I mean 30-40 degrees and raining is not ideal for outdoor play. Plus, the muddy wet cleanup is awful so I just give in and let them stay inside. It would probably be better if I encouraged more outside play but it just doesn't happen.

This week I took full advantage of the nice weather and took the kids to the park two days in a row! I left a dirty messy house and went out to play. It is my New Year's Resolution so really I had no choice. :)

Tuba loves to push his siblings on the swings. What a good helper! We played at the playground, walked on the beach, looked at the airplanes flying overhead, got to see a train go by and saw a zillion dogs. A wonderful day!

Here's another confession for you. We are looking for our first family dog! Yep. Now, half of you are thinking, "Great! Every family should experience having a dog" and the other half of you are saying, "What are you nuts? The clean up, the extra work!". Well, I'm excited and the kids are over the moon. I always said when our youngest was potty trained that I would get a dog. And that time is here. I know what I want and think I have found the perfect dog. We are going to meet her soon and see if she is a good fit for us. Yipee! More details to come after meeting her. :)