Spring Days

We're going on a week of 70-80 degree weather. I didn't have anything to wear in the closet (it was all long sleeved shirts and wool pants), so I decided to make the seasonal clothing switch. This usually takes a couple of hours, some sorting in the cedar closet (I love that we have that room!) and multiple trips up and down the stairs. It's done (at least, my closet is, and the downstairs coat rack). The down, the wool, the boots--gone! Welcome skirts, tees and flip-flops!

If we do get a frost again (and everyone I've talked to agrees it's quite possible), I am simply going to stay inside, with the heat up to 75, until May.

In the process of sorting and organizing downstairs, Grace came across her little pair of white sandals from last year. "Dis is Sea Sand Me? For Nana-Papa?" she asked. (Mom and Dad--she still quotes that book all the time. I tell her "It's lunchtime, Grace" and she sings out "Cookies, lemonade! Shade, shade, shade.") She asked why I was sorting the clothes and when I told her that winter was over and spring was here, she immediately said, "I want cherries!"

Here is a photo of Grace in her new sandals (she wore these inside all day because she thought they were so pretty) and a dress Nana made that still fits from last year.




Here she is dancing with the "Flat Stanley" flag, wearing the second dress we found that fits from last year. (She bathed her baby in the sink this afternoon while I nursed Donnie. When I came to check on her, I saw that she used about half a bottle of shampoo, which meant that Dolly got a quite a nice bubble bath, and so did Grace, hence the costume change.)


Yesterday we had Rita's ice cream (it's free on the first day of spring). Tonight we grilled hamburgers and ate on the porch. I love this season.

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Highlights

We had LOTS of fun with the Matthew Wrights.

Grace said today, "I like Clemmie."

Sorry that I don't have any of the boys! They were dears. And so patient. After a LONG day of car-ride travel, they came into our home and read books QUIETLY for AN HOUR while I prepped dinner. They are amazing. Grace studied Jackson the whole weekend, and he was kind and jumped obediently when she said, "Boo!"

Harry told Matt, "I don't like people to know that I know Karate." :) Harry also practiced his spelling, and wrote sweet notes that said "It is good to be here." The feeling was mutual, Harry!

On Sunday we went to the zoo.

Sheldon likes the zoo. And his Daddy.

Posing with the polar bear.

Thank you for coming! We love you, M, R, J, H and MC!

PS: David totally thinks we can do two nights of camping in West Virginia. Let's plan it!

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Reception

It was a long time coming, and it was good. It happened in a way that I didn't expect, all those years thinking of Easter entrances, but it was full of significance.



We were received into the Church on St. Patrick's Day. Our priest, Fr. Drew, had secured permission from the Bishop to let us in whenever it was mutually convenient, and we had thought to join earlier, but comps, Christmas and a baby kept us from focusing on it. So, we decided that a private mass, at a time that worked for our sponsors, would be best. We didn't see much reason to put it off until Easter. And it reminded me of my Irish Catholic Grandfather and Nana (not Irish, but Catholic.) Then Matt and Ruthie wanted to visit during Matt's spring break, and when they found out about our plans, they arranged to come at the start of his break, rather than the end.

I am so glad they did.

Ruthie noted the the Newman Center was at 211 Dithridge St. (a number significant to the Wrights.) 

We were in a tiny chapel, at the basement of the Newman Center, surrounded by our close friends, family and all their children. The mass was offered for our intentions--and we named my dad. We received the rites of Confirmation and Communion from Fr. Drew and Fr. Mike.



The moment of communion was not an overpowering mountaintop moment. (I rather expected something--especially when I felt a real sense of peace, that I was not expecting, during my first confession the week before.) But it's okay; I know that Jesus was really present, and that life with Him does not always consist of mountaintop experiences. I'm so glad I get to pursue Him here.

After we were confirmed and given congratulatory hugs from everyone, the little chapel grew quiet, and Gracie asked, as she is wont to do, "What happened?" :)

Our sweet friends gave us cake and punch and a crucifix after the mass. And then sweet Ruthie made us a feast for dinner. I was reminded of the first time, six years ago, that she made the St. Patrick's Day feast. And I am so thankful for God's grace. His grace led us gently, slowly to this new place, and He kept and strengthened the ties to our family. I am so thankful for my family, and for their commitment to me. And for jokes about "skinny dipping in the Tiber."

I learned on Sunday, when David and I attended our first mass as Catholics, that the 18th was Laetare Sunday--"Rejoice" Sunday. If we were going to join during the most penitential season in the church, this weekend was the time to do it.

"Hi Catholic wife," David says to me now.


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2mos

Donnie at 2 months: could not be a sweeter baby. He's been sleeping through the night since March 10 (and I know that could change, but I'm loving it right now). He sleeps great during the day too, and is easy to read (within 2 hours he's tired). When he is awake, he has a sweet spot of smiles and contented coos--which he will give to his mobile if no one is around to catch them. He is happy to be in his "bouncy-bouncy" as Gracie calls it, or the swing, for 20 minutes at a time. He is not able to sleep well in the carrier, or in large groups or with a lot of noise or light. He startles sometimes when Gracie screams (she has been screaming happily lately), but he loves his sister. Sometimes it seems that he's watching her warily (and with good reason), but the other day, he was cooing along with her as she sang to him.





He's a honey.

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What winter?

Today was 74 and sunny. I don't have photos because I was too busy lazing around outside, soaking up the sun.

I met Ellen and her two girls at Anderson park (we saw Niki and Natasha there too, for a total of 8 kids.) We all picnicked together. I spent the kids' nap outside too, and then we ate dinner on the porch--it was lovely.

The weather has caused such commotion that KDLA thought it newsworthy. Ellen and I were interviewed at the park--we're probably famous. :) But, it's also clear from the interview that I do not know how daylight savings works.


Because I don't have a photo of today, here is one from the Phipps Conservatory, one of G's favorite indoor pastimes. Tiny carts, lots of fake food; she loves it.

Ellen mentioned that she let Isla paint on her easle. How brave she is! But, when she said she started with watercolors, I thought I would give that a try. Plus, it was one more reason to be in the sunshine. I gave G some paints and a brush and a bit of water (water! Of course it would be a hit with her.)

And she loved it. Tonight at bedtime she asked, "Mama, what those colors called?"

"They're called watercolors. Or you can call them paints."

"I call them paints. What that brush called?"

"A paintbrush."

"What that bowl of water called?"

"A bowl of water."

We repeated the conversation when I went to check on her. :) I didn't realize how taken she would be with "the colors".

And because posts without photos are boring, here are some for the Grace and Sheldon fans:







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What to do with a toddler

Sheldon has been taking long, wonderful morning naps. This leaves me and Gracie tied to the house, with time together. Sometimes we go outside and blow bubbles, but yesterday I was feeling like this

(taken from Allie, HT to Barefoot and Pregnant) 

So I took off the shower curtain, liner, hooks and caddy and went downstairs. Gracie set to work washing the curtain hooks --

And then my make-up brushes.

Love that little girl. :)

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Games

One of Grace's favorite games (right after "Baby-Dolly-Picnic") is playing short-order cook. Usually we play this outside, and at Bartlett park there is a special covered table where we always play it. She'll say "what you want, Mama?" and I'll answer "lemonade". She'll run to the call station (I need to get a photo of it) and yell out "Mama want lemonade!" and then bring me a stick or a rock. This goes on and on, with me trying to think of new items. Yesterday I asked for cherries, but the response was "No, I don't have them. Cherries only in Summertime."

One, two, three, four: Mary at the cottage door.
Five, six, seven, eight: Eating cherries off a plate.

This little rhyme is from Lavender's Blue, a lovely collection. Grace fixated on the drawing when I first read it, asking, "what dat?" and "Gayce want some! Gayce don't have any." I had to explain that cherries are only to be had in the summer (when the carousel opens, and when she gets to be a flower-girl; these are her reference points for something in the distant future).

I saw the recommendation for this particular collection of nursery rhymes off of the Ambleside website. I found it on Amazon from a seller who ships from England (I'm picturing some place right on Charring Cross Roard!) and it's lovely.
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