Signs of spring ;-)

  

the sap is flowing!

syrup!!

 

popsicle picnic with friends (followed by swinging, digging, trucks, and hours in a huge puddle, while us mommas knitted in the sun)

mud, mud, dirty, dirty

 

car washing

maple flavored everything

 

is it a lake?  a wildlife sanctuary?  nope, our neighbor’s flooded farm field

completely covered in geese (or ducks??)  (pictures do not even begin to convey how beautiful this, and the many other similar fields in the area, are)

animals loving life in the sun

 

checking the fence (and other outside chores)

 

walks and lots of play

and love in the air ;-)  (this is what I found in J’s pocket while doing laundry)

Potty talk

There is A LOT of this in our house right now.  Has been for quite some time (well, actually ever since I have known Brad actually, but now it is multiplied since J inherited his sense of humor).  Here are two little stories we found humorous:

The other day J was sitting on the potty and called me in.  “Look mom,” he said.  “It’s a happy guy!”  (I was dying with laughter, which of course encouraged him.) “He has a party hat on.  He’s going to a party . . . “  And some crazy story about Mr. Peepee going to a party ensued.  I was laughing too hard to remember it all. 

Another incident happened a while back, and Brad has always thought I should post it here.  Brad and I were looking at the computer in our room while J sat on the potty in the attached bathroom.  Suddenly the door opened, a sock with poop on it flew out, and the door closed.  No explanation.  Hmmmm.  “What is that?”  Brad yelled.  J answered calmly, “it happens.”  HAAAAAAAA!  It too funny too stay mad.

Lots of deliberate potty jokes also occur.  J’s current favorite is to blame his gas on someone else.  “You farted mom!” is about the funniest line ever to him.  Just before bedtime tonight Brad and J went on an extended songwriting gig about sitting on the potty set to the tunes of his Pete Seeger CD.  It goes on and on.  Well, laughing is good (even when crass)!

Snowy days!

"We are closed due to the storm. The select board has declared a state of emergency in the Town of Shoreham. Everyone is urged to stay off the roads. The state and local road crews have been unable to keep up with the drifts. Most of the roads are currently impassible. If you have a loader please contact Robin at XXX-XXXX. We could use your help."

This was the message yesterday at the Shoreham Town Clerk’s office.  We had quite a storm here!  It didn’t seem that bad to me, up on the hill here, but apparently it was record braking.  And certainly messy.  We got about 2 feet, maybe a bit more, with lots of drifts.  School and my work were closed both Monday and Tuesday this week, with convenient night before phone calls ;-)  Fortunately at our house no one had to go anywhere and we have been enjoying the snow.

 

We had tons of fun sledding down the driveway (AFTER dad plowed),

 

played on the snow banks,

 

tried out some new snowshoes we were gifted,

 

enjoyed the beautiful sunset after the storm was over,

 

shoveled many paths,

And played, played, played.

If I worked on the road crew or had a real emergency that necessitated leaving the house I would not be enjoying it so much.   Apparently Grandpa Fred had to jump out an unused door with no deck to get out of there house.  Postal service was cancelled and, as indicated by the messages, civilians were called in to help the road crews.  I left the house today for the first time and did pass numerous unplowed town roads, abandoned cars, and HUGE AMAZING snow banks.  It feels like driving through a tunnel; the banks are higher then the cars! 

Here are some photos that were on my camera from before the storm.  It was so springy and warm we took the animals out for some playtime!

 

And these are pics from an earlier snowday just before we went to Philly.  I took Joseph to the school playground for a bit.

 

And here he is practicing his hockey moves!

How to Really Love a Child

Be there.

Say yes as often as possible.

Let them bang on pots and pans.

If they’re crabby, put them in water.

If they’re unlovable, love yourself.

Realize how important it is to be a child.

Go to a movie theater in your pajamas.

Read books out loud with joy.

Invent pleasures together.

Remember how really small they are.

Giggle a lot.

Surprise them.

Say no when necessary.

Teach feelings.

Heal your own inner child.

Learn about parenting.

Hug trees together.

Make loving safe.

Bake a cake and eat it with no hands.

Go find elephants and kiss them.

Plan to build a rocket ship.

Imagine yourself magic.

Make lots of forts with blankets.

Let your angel fly.

Reveal your own dreams.

Search out the positive.

Keep the gleam in your eye.

Encourage silly.

Plant licorice in your garden.

Open up.

Stop yelling.

Express your love.

A lot.

Speak kindly.

Paint their tennis shoes.

Handle with caring.

*Copyrighted to SARK

This is a poem by Sark, of which we have a very large poster on the wall at my work (Addison County Parent/Child Center).  It is actually posted in a small bathroom right where you HAVE to look at it, many times I day.  I just adore the sentiment.  Also, at work participants and staff have written all over it, adding their own ideas for “how to really love a child.”  (Also, just a note, there seem to be many different versions of this poem.)