Easter

I'm always grateful for Easter Sunday. It's a beautiful time to reflect on the life of our Savior and celebrate new life in the world.

It's also fun to wear matching outfits, eat copious amounts of chocolate, and enjoy the day as a family.

And while I don't really need an excuse, it's a good time to make Walt pose for a few photos. :) It was a little harder this year without Landon there to make him smile, but we did ok. (Check out old Easter photos here)

Even though we weren't together on Easter Sunday, we managed to make the holiday special. We dyed eggs, saw the Easter bunny, and did a scripture countdown, which Walt loves. I love it too. It helps me focus on the reason we celebrate.

Well, the main reason. Let's be honest, a holiday devoted to Mini-Cadbury eggs would not at all be out of line.

Happy Easter!

Baby Bear

Dear Walt,

You are growing by leaps and bounds. At the end of each day, I am completely exhausted and my heart is full. I can't believe I get to be your mom. I'm trying to enjoy these last few months that you are my baby and I get you all to myself.

Today we didn't do a whole lot. I had to catch up on chores so we just hung out around the house. Luckily you were pretty obliging. I love the way you have re-discovered the baby toys that we just pulled out, and have been happily playing with them for three days now.

I love the way you lick all of the peanut butter off whatever vehicle I'm trying to serve it to you on: celery, apples, crackers, toast...and how you get so excited about the little things I put in your lunch. Like "Craham Bears" AKA Teddy Grahams. I love how you are still singing Christmas songs in February, because you had so much fun this year. And how you know every word to every song in the Disney movie "Frozen." Your singing lights up our home and my life.

I love your way of pretending. I love that I get to be a new character in your story each day. From Prince John to Anna from Frozen to "Bobby the Tomato," I've pretty much played them all.

Your witty comments keep us laughing, like when you caught Daddy sleeping in Church and said "Mommy? Is Daddy saying a prayer?" loud enough for those sitting around us to hear. Your happiness for life is infectious, and even on hard days, you create so many amazing little moments that help me get through the rest of the not-so-awesome ones. :)

I love you for making me a mom, and I'll always be grateful for the time I get to spend with you. No matter what changes in the months ahead, I think you'll always be my Baby Bear. Keep being you, sweetheart, you will do amazing things!

School! (Kind Of)

There are moments, I confess, when I long for the days when all of my kids will be at school during the day, so I can be my productive self once more, without a somewhat tyrannical 2-year-old dictating the ways I spend my time.

But honestly, they are pretty few and far between. Because seriously? This kid?

He's got me wrapped around all ten of his fingers, and at least 6 of his toes. 

Don't lie, he's got you in his pocket, too.

This year we were invited into a small preschool co-op with some of our friends. Even though Walt is pretty young, he's super smart and I know he'll have a blast with the other kids, so I said yes. It also means I get a 2-hour block all to myself on Wednesday mornings about 3 times a month, which is a nice perk. :) I'm not really considering this as his "first day of school" experience, because he probably won't remember most of it, and it is super low-key. The kids get together and learn about a letter, listen to music, read books, and whatever else the mom in charge wants to throw in. It's only once a week. 

We've been talking about getting ready for "going to school." He was pretty excited, even if he didn't completely understand what that meant...Daniel Tiger goes to school, so that was good enough for him.

Today was the first day. We agreed that for the first week, we'd have all the parents stay for the whole thing so that the kids could get acquainted and feel support.

Walt really did pretty well. He doesn't like coloring all that much, so it was a challenge to keep his attention on those tasks. But he really enjoyed interacting with the other kids and having some structured activities. He surprised everyone when the teacher asked the kids what words start with the letter "A" and he chimed in with "ambulance!" Only my kid, I swear. I don't know where he gets this stuff. 

It's hard not to feel a little emotional about this new adventure in Walt's life. I can't believe he is big enough to do something without Mom. I worry that because he is the youngest in the group, he'll struggle or get frustrated. And of course, I'm excited for him. He loves to strike out on his own, to play with friends, and to learn new things. I pray that this experience will give him confidence and help him find out how smart, talented and capable he is.

Go get 'em, my darling (sort of) pre-schooler. You got this!

Happy Easter!

Reasons We Love Washington - Puddles

Read other editions here.

There are always - always - puddles to be jumped in.

Add the green grass in February (don't be jealous) and we're sold on Washington.