A Walk in the Woods.

I had better intentions of writing this last weekend, when I was a bit more hopeful about spring.  When the ground wasn't sodden from not just rain, but sticky snow that insisted on reappearing later this week, suffocating my already struggling daffodils and blanketing the yard with a scene of what you'd expect in February. Then I remind myself, this is Maine.  And July, August, and September are around the corner, and it's during those months that I remind myself, THIS is why we live here. It'll get here.  

Meanwhile, last weekend, it wasn't terribly springy out, but it was at least sunny, (well, only on Saturday, but I'll take it!) and after what seems like an eternity of being cooped up indoors, we spend an inordinate amount of time exploring outside.  Examining new buds popping up on the trees, searching for hope that days would soon get (and stay!) warmer. And so explore we did...both at home and on a local trail, just to be outdoors...and as I mentioned in my last post...to just be.

So despite the biting wind, G and I visited our favorite playground, deserted as no one in their right mind wanted to be out in this crazy cold, but we bundled and braved it.  And definitely had fun.

But home is good to roam and play too, especially if there's a Gabby. And it's good to take snack breaks.

We love family walks.

And it's good to know he's looking out to make sure I'm still with them. 

We did a little rock climbing.

We like to yell "Apple pie!" instead of "Cheeeeeeese"!

It's also very important to chase away the trolls with a stick.  

I was here too. Really, I was. Tho we can't quite master getting the three of us AND Gabby into the same shot.

Then the weekend was over, but when we got home on Monday, we still wanted to play outside.  It was just too nice out.

Gabby's turn to show me some love.

So ok, maybe Mother Nature is delighting in playing tricks on us this season by giving us these bleak days of mist and chill.  Here's hoping that what it really means is a promise for an even more fantastic-than-usual summer.  Come on summer, we're ready.

Time passages.

March madness.  March. The longest month. It was an arduous slog toward the finish line. At Bates, it's been petitioned more than once to just remove it from the academic calendar. The demands! The rigor! For the K-P clan, it was no different.  Tumbling classes, birthday parties, visiting friends, friends visiting, Easter. Add in a sprinkle of daily obligations and a dash of unpredictability and there's one whopping recipe for busy.

As we inch (crawl, skulk, creep...) toward springtime in Maine, I find myself becoming acutely aware of the passage of time.  Spring, if and when we ever get there, signifies regrowth, rebirth, rejuvenation! We're seeing glossy-eyed farm babies popping up across the landscapes, and somehow the air has changed from the bare chill of winter to the fresh and dewy breath of spring.

And, we are now less than a month away from a newly minted three year old.  THREE! 3! T-H-R-E-E! Time passages, indeed.

March does have its redeeming qualities. Last year, it was the nearly 2 weeks of 75+ degree weather. An anomaly not seen in these parts very often, for sure.  This year, with out-of-town guests to impress, we tackled a long-standing pine-tree state tradition in Maine Maple Sunday--where local farms open to the public for a snapshot of the maple syrup tapping biz.  Pancake breakfasts, all things maple, all fun and delicious.  Our farm of choice? Jillson's in Sabattus.  Petting cows, maple on ice, maple on a stick.  All the ooey gooey goodness one needs to ward off the late March chill.  Garrett and his two new pals enjoyed exploring the farm and all its delightful offerings.

Next stop, Popham Beach for a little post-winter, early spring exploration. Not quite as enjoyable as a day in July, but almost.  Gabs enjoyed herself too and made new friends. 

We ended the weekend at a special picturesque place and good restaurant...Cook's Lobster on Bailey Island.  Shenanigans ensued.

March also saw Grammie's birthday.  Garrett and I took a half day from work and daycare and drove south to take Grammie and Grampie out for lunch.  Boo loves his Grammie!

And so, after all of these wonderful times, where we spend quality moments with family and friends, I tend to become reflective about how fast it goes and how little of it we really have...time, that is.  In an age where everyone is so busy, busy, busy, it's important to stop and put ourselves in check.  Put down the smartphone, tuck the computer away, and just be.  It'll all be there waiting for us, but for now...be active...be attentive...be patient.  Just, well, be.

A tisket, a tasket...a green and yellow Easter basket.

This past weekend was chock full of fun as we celebrated the end of a grueling month (more on that in another post) and the hope of Spring.  Saturday saw tumbling and the holiday haircut (an hour wait, as no doubt all momma's had the same thought of sprucing up their little one's unruly mops).  Several errands were run and Garrett  remained a trooper throughout.  I admit succumbing to a tad bit of bribery in order to squeeze out a little more cooperation.  As in, "if you hang in there for just a little longer while we go to X, Y, and Z places, we'll go to Reny's and get a balloon."  Needless to say, after a long morning that was quickly stretching into the afternoon, Bert the Balloon came home with us. (Bert to go, of course, with Ernie the little rubber ducky Garrett had gotten as a prize at the haircuttery.) Whatever it takes, people, whatever it takes.

Post nap, we had our first forage into egg decorating.  Someone mastered that pretty quickly.

Meanwhile, this front and center green egg came out with some sort of gorilla-like face.  Ok, so it's not the Shroud of Turin but still. Creepy.

That evening, long after someone was tucked into bed, the Easter Bunny compiled a basket full of hot wheels, squishy dinos and snakes, and a few goodies to satisfy the sweet tooth. Of course, the basket had to be hidden out of range from some curious kitties who could be tempted to munch on the fake yellow grass.  No Easter-morn trip to the emergency vet, please and thank you.  

Sunday brought an early wake up, an egg hunt, and time to get into our Easter-best and venture to church.  

Oh, Church, where within 8 minutes, Garrett announced rather loudly that he had to go potty.  Twice.  Then it was snack-demanding. As I said to all the little old ladies who were cooing at how adorable he was, let's see how adorable he is when he's actually trapped in a pew. Ah well...

An excruciating hour plus later, we were cruising south to Grammie and Grampie's.  Thankfully, he slept the whole ride, and despite the utter groggy affect on arrival, the sweetest moment of the day came when he spotted his Grampie in the door, let go of Daddy's guiding hand, and ran to launch himself into Grampie's waiting arms.  

After hugs and hellos, Garrett and his cousins set off to find the Easter eggs that had been hidden and opening the Easter treats, all while chowing on carrots and dip.  

After awhile, it was time to get Garrett out of his monkey suit and into some comfier play clothes.  He and the girls then started a game of catch with the Tigger ball they'd given him. (Note to self--interrupting said game of catch could result in momma and child colliding heads--in this case, Garrett's bowling ball noggin and nearly giving me a black eye.  I'm pretty sure a mild concussion has ensued.) 

Meanwhile, Pooh takes a contemplative break.

 Ah, the kids table.  Enjoying the Easter tradition of kielbasa and deviled eggs.

The giggles, singing, and silly games continued throughout the afternoon.  He may not fully understand who/what the Easter Bunny and Easter is, but he sure does love his family.