Sunday, March 9, 2014

Mobile Moments, 3/3-3/9

I feel as though the past week has been driven by the topsy-turvy weather.

It started off slow and peaceful, covered in brilliant, blinding, white. However, as we approached mid-week and the snow began to melt away, revealing dead grass and dark muddy patches, my mood sunk lower with each drop of moisture that I could hear constantly falling from trees, rooftops, and overhangs.

Once the rough patch was behind me, I began looking ahead again, putting to use some ideas I'd let brew for awhile unheeded. I pounded out some new playful poetry. I documented Mia's latest look. I made it out of the house to a Mom's Night In, and trusted Tom to bedtime alone for the first time with three. (He did amazingly.)

Then, suddenly, with the weekend came beautiful warmth and sunshine. Somehow, motivation seemed to tag along, and for once Tom and I took advantage of the unscheduled days and got some work done in the basement. Even the lost hour did not dampen our spirits overly-much. It actually made it easier for us to get out to church this morning, since the kids woke on the early side rather than the late side with the time-adjustment (though it did make bedtime a bit more interesting).

Of course, the opportunities provided by the weather could not possibly be denied, so Tom made sure to fit in a walk with the older two. The walk took them by a park, which Abby was clamoring to visit, and though that visit ended in filthy kids and muddy feet, the excitement and vigor still coloring their faces as we carefully carried them back through the front door left me cheerful even through the mess-cleaning that ensued.

Every winter, I forget just how welcoming the end of the season can be. That is, until I'm teased with a day or two like these have been. After a tantalizing taste of what's coming, it's suddenly hard to wait for Spring to finally arrive.


Little Shepherd Girl


Jelly Face! (Miss Jelly Face, to Abby)


Sometimes, even big girls need to snooze (especially if they run a random temperature in the afternoon one day).


Michael rediscovers a toy that Abby once hated, and now loves to fight with him over.


Mommy forgets to dress Abby in the morning? No problem. She gets to be a fairy princess over pjs all afternoon.


Little reader (this always precedes little eater-of-paper-goods).


I love the hair, she loves the spoon. Couldn't pick just one.


Don't let that innocent face fool you. There was a lot of mud on those shoes.


Overheard this week:

Abby

(Mid tantrum) "No, Mommy- that's not the deal!"

Between Tom and Abby

T: "Okay, Abby, looks like you're coloring, so you're good. I'll be right here if you need anything."
...
A: "Wait! I need something."
T: "What?"
A: "To color."

Michael

"Hot. No, no, no, no, no, noooooooooooooooooooo"
(I've got to say, I've never loved to hear the word "no" spoken so much. He may be saying no, but he is speaking, after all.)

Mia

"No."
(I'm sensing a pattern here. How about you?)