Spring. It's in the air.

Today it was in the mid-70s and I feel like a new person.
We started our week with some serious playground time, visiting not one, but two parks nearby.
I think my body doesn't know what to do with all the vitamin D it absorbed today.
Seriously, I think I got a sun rash on my arm.

The warmer temperatures couldn't have come at a better time.
The last week or so has been bitterly cold, with freezing rain, and sleet, and snow. I was at my breaking point.

But then today happened. Blue skies and a shining sun and warmth.
And I am reminded that nothing lasts forever.

Everything is still brown, but the promise of new growth is in air.

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Speaking of new growth, there have been marked changes in our household recently.
As with all change, I often don't notice the difference until after the fact.
This weekend Aleks headed to Seattle for a conference and I was home alone with the girls.
And we had a really wonderful weekend.

I had a couple rehearsals, taught a few lessons, did some sewing, cooked several delicious meals, went to see a musical, took my girls out to breakfast, finished a novel, did the weekly grocery shopping, even went to the gym twice.
And while I did these things, the girls played Frozen.

God bless the writers and songwriters of that movie.

There wasn't even a single meltdown at bedtime.

It's really kind of miraculous. People told me it'd get easier, but it's hard to believe them when you haven't seen the other side.

Nothing lasts forever.

Don't get me wrong, we definitely missed Aleks.
It's just that I wasn't curled up in a ball begging for wine when he got home.

We renewed our membership at the Y and added in the Kid Zone option. Because Ruby WILL WILLINGLY GO TO THE KID ZONE.
She even went without her sister.

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Today was Read and Romp day at Maia's school.
It's a day where the children visit different stations that feature a book which is read and then participate in an activity that relates to the story.

I volunteered to help out and was assigned to the book The Dark, Dark Night, by M. Christina Bulter and Jane Chapman, which is a whimsical book about shadows. After listening to the story, the children were able to create their own shadows behind a sheet.

I had planned to have Ruby sit with me for the duration of the morning classes while I read the book.
But when Maia's class came through my station, Mrs. Burcham offered to let Ruby tag along.
And off she went.
At the end of the morning the class went to play on the playground and Ruby didn't even glance my way. She just headed to the swings with the older girls.
And then after getting Maia's backpack from the locker, Ruby trotted up to Ellery's mom and said, "You know what Ellery's mom? Ellery hasn't come over for lunch. Can she do that sometime?"

I think she might be ready for preschool.

There's the inevitable tug of longing for the cherubic pre-toddler days and the worry of what's to come.
But I've made a conscious decision that I'm going to embrace each new phase and growth, excited to get to know these girls who are becoming such fascinating, lovely people.

So, here's to spring.
And new seasons.
And growth.

By the way, have I mentioned that Maia has 2 loose teeth?

Hold me.