Bring on the Summer!

Rockin' and Rompin'

Best-kept secret for parents and kids who like rock-n-roll: Memphis Rock-n-Romp. There are several of these orgs nationwide, and we are so lucky to have one right here. Real local rock bands play to a horde of parents and young children in someone's backyard, usually in Midtown. This weekend, the weather was perfect to start the season off. Molly and Rebecca played in the sand (Becca was buried in it by a group of kids who then took turns themselves--always the trendsetter, that kid!), danced to the music, enjoyed potluck snacks and popsicles. I just sat back on my quilt, had a cold beer from the keg and enjoyed the music...

Yay for Mother Earth

One of my very favorite spots in Memphis is Lichterman Nature Center. It's this amazing woodsy oasis right smack-dab in the middle of the city where forests thrive, creatures frolic and bird sing. Their annual Earth Fest was last weekend. The girls dug for worms and learned about vermiculture, planted sunflowers, blew bubbles, painted with berry and walnut ink, and found caterpillars. What better way to honor the Earth than to bask in her gifts!

8 Minutes

The house was clean. Amelia and I were home on our own. The baby gates to the stairs were in place. The cabinets that had previously enticed little hands were child-locked. So, I hopped in the shower for one of those quickies only a Mom can muster. (You learn very early on in the Parenthood Journey that being swift is a virtue. You no longer chew your food--you inhale it, never knowing when the child who is next to you calmly eating her Cheerios will decide she's all done and you cannot eat another bite. You no longer try on a few different shirts to see what looks best--you sniff briskly, check for visible stains, and run.) I literally took 8 minutes to shower, brush my teeth and get dressed. The pictures below illustrate the damage/mischief an 18-month-old can demonstrate in only eight minutes. Remarkable.

Pics in the Park

We enlisted Papa--our favorite photographer--to meet us at the Botanic Garden for pictures in Easter dresses. These are wonderful!

Of course, no one's had any fun if there's no dirt, so by the end of the shoot, Rebecca's panty hose were ripped and covered in dirt, all three dresses had stains, and everyone's face was smudged. Thank goodness for Oxyclean!

Easter Weekend

1. Tent in the playroom!
2. Dyeing eggs!
3. Photoshoot at the park in dresses (see next post)!
4. Kites!
5. Bike riding (no pics)!
6. Easter bunny leaves fun baskets!
7. Egg hunt on Easter morning in the backyard!
8. Church (again, no pics)!
9. Granna and Papa's for Easter lunch!

He is Risen! And we are tired! :)

Hippity Hoppity

Easter's on its way! Though the weather has been testy and unpredictable, we have had a few super-lovely days lately. We have enjoyed grilling out, eating on our deck and lots of bike riding (Molly FINALLY without training wheels!). Our azaleas are blooming, the tulips and daffodils are out.



Our church had its annual Easter Fest, complete with crafts, games, egg hunts, and pony rides. Amelia's daycare class had an Easter party yesterday--I made duck-shaped turkey sandwiches for that one! And today, Rebecca's sweet preschool had its Easter Egg hunt and party. Peter, Papa and I all came to hide the eggs (as much as one can hide eggs in a field of mowed grass!) and watch Rebecca enjoy her treats afterward.