friday. phew. (on saturday)

Today was Andy's Mother's Day Tea at school. He's looking like such a big boy compared to the first tea we attended two years ago.

Wishing you a very happy mother's day this weekend! 

xoxox

head, shoulders, knees and toes.

enjoy this moment.

it won't last. There's been a lot of fighting going on between these boys lately. At any given moment, you are more likely to find someone in time out than all three playing in the same room together.

Here's one more for you. And it really doesn't count. Because they are watching tv.

"I'M NOT GRUMPY! I'M HAPPY!"

What's worse than the terrible two's? A terrible two's toddler who thinks he's not terrible.

Rowan was terrorizing the table at lunch on Sunday, all the while insisting that he was feeling happy-go-lucky. I can only hope -- for all of our sakes -- that this lack of self-perception does not remain throughout the rest of his life.

Don't be fooled by the pictures. We were the talk of the restaurant. I just didn't have the hands to take pictures when things weren't somewhat calm. And trust me, every calm moment we had, is captured right here.

and this is why I love spring.

This weekend we took the boys to the arboretum to run around and enjoy the spring flowers. It was so beautiful, words can't do it justice. You'll just have to see for yourself:

 

friday, phew.

Today I had a date! It was a first date, actually. . . and, to say I was nervous about it ahead of time is an understatement! I find that, while I was nervous for good reason, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be, and we might -- might -- have a second date. But probably not for a while. Let me know what you think?

Here's my date when he picked me up. He's handsome, right?

But when we got to the restaurant, he acted a little odd. . . almost. . . manic. He was pouring salt and pepper all over the table. And playing with all of the sweet n low packets in a reckless, rambunctious way.

But he had good taste. He took me to a really cute old fashioned soda shop. I thought it was charming for a guy that seemed so rough-and-tumble.

He was really mesmerized by the colors on the architectural detail of the place.  At first it was cute, but then he just kept yelling out the colors "Pink!" "Green!" "Purple!" "Blue!" And after a while it went from cute to a little embarrassing. Like, I get it. . .you know your colors, dude, but settle down!

He was super-impatient waiting for our food. Which got me sort of nervous.

 Thankfully the food came and he was calm for a bit. Until he poked a hole in his water cup with his straw and water poured all over the floor. And then when I was getting napkins to clean it up, he poured my  whole water cup on the floor. That was really embarrassing.

We ended the date getting him an ice cream cone. He was fairly gentlemanly eating it, and he let me feed it to him, which again, was really nice of him.

Until he wouldn't. And then things got messy. Which is when I had to wrap it up.

So what do you think? Should I go out on a date with him again? Or should I see if he has a brother.


Here are some fun links as you think it over:

• This video of a monkey demonstrating basic ideas of fairness reminds me so much of my own kids. 

• I've told you I'm a sucker for journals. Here's a great idea I'd love to do with each of my boys, even if only for one year.

• I adore this print by michelle armas.

• Here's an easy lunch recipe (made with chickpeas) that we tried and enjoyed this week (scroll to recipe #2 for the one we tried).

• Finally, here's a risotto recipe that we cheated on and made over basic pasta instead. It was tasty and different for a change. Plus, it used some of those pretty green asparagus that are in season right now! 

• Speaking of in-season, here's a helpful chart to let you know what is in season in your area at any given time.

Have a great weekend!

running up the mountain.

Every day when we drop Andy at school, Andy asks if he can "run up the mountain." It's a hill in front of the building, and all of the kids love to run up and down before and after class. Yesterday, for the first time, I let Rowan out of the car to run up and down before the big kids got out of class. Let me tell you, he's not the only one. Lately it feels like we are all running up the mountain with the way things are going. Let's just say the relationship with our broker has been less than pleasant. We are looking to make changes, but everything takes time and patience. Something I am not particularly blessed with. It has definitely been a learn-as-you-go process, and we are covered in grass stains right about now.