End of March

Playing at the park

Picking flowers

After learning about dandelions, she likes to blow on all the flowers she finds.

Ready for one of her daily walks. Sometimes John or I just take her around the block to give the rest of the house some time to focus without her mischief.

We got drinks at Taco Bell happy hour with a gift card my mom sent and they were excited to each have their own.

Working on his mud "asperients."

Trying out some clothes for Easter.

I told them they could change after, but Perry kept his on.

Little strawberry love

Looking too grown up.

Marching in the weeds.

Grogu girl.

Scott's braces are pulling his front teeth together nicely after the expander separated them so much.

Insisted on wearing her hat.

All the time.

After our one lavender plant was struggling, John bought a three pack for me and put them all together. They looked sickly, but then took off and have been thriving. Hopefully they stay healthy because I love the look and smell and using lavender in things.

Scott's Mario Lego creation. He made little characters for Perry and Jane to play with and they were so cute.

We picked up the school lunch one day and had a backyard picnic. 

Scott's penguin and baby penguin drawing for class. I love the little fish in his mouth.

Slowly making her way through her brothers' lunches after they got back to work inside.

She eats all day, every day.

Playing games with my little buddy.

While trying to keep Jane entertained.

The world's slowest scooter ride down the street.

Even with help, it was slow going.

Helmet on, ready to scoot.

Communication skills, writing practice, and manners.

A post-nap walk.

Sweetheart waving hi and bye.

So many people on me at once.

Playing in the patch of sun.

Visual sign on his door for our non-reader.

I didn't see her at first.

So long and lean back there.

Prepping food for our Tahoe trip. We made all the meals while we were there and our friend is gluten-free, so we did a few batches of rice krispy treats.

Ready to bake. And sample.

She can't walk past an elevated surface without climbing up, walking along it, and jumping off.

It's a toddler rite of passage.

Without fail.

Then we think she stepped on a bee and had a very rough time not putting weight on her poor puffy foot.

Perry pushed her around in this bucket.

And by the afternoon she could walk without shoes on, although she did limp a bit. Nothing keeps her down for long.

Playing hard outside made Jonah sweat right through his cap.

It may be haircut time again.

Lake Tahoe

We put off sending the older kids to school to wait for their teachers and us to be fully vaccinated. Our friends had their Tahoe timeshare rental again and invited us to join them. We figured it was our last chance to be able to isolate and visit anyone for a while, so we went for it.

We drove up and stopped for lunch. When we got there, they went straight to the snow.

The complex has undeveloped space around it to explore and play.

Reading before bed.

Up bright and early, unfortunately for our host's daughter who is a night owl and late riser.

Jane was not into the cold or wet.

Perry was unphased.

There was significantly less snow this year and most of it was older and packed down.

We bundled everyone up and went to the same sledding hill as last time. 

It had enough snow coverage to play and sled, and that's all we needed.

Little buddies. After so many months without peer interactions, it was good for the kids to be around each other.

Our sad little snowman attempt.

She's not sure why this is fun for everyone.

Sled chain!

Jane hitched a ride up and down the hill.

She preferred being carried up, which was not easy for my out of shape self at high elevation.

Taking turns.

Such a cutie. Perry liked throwing snowballs at me, but his hands got wet and cold quickly in his mittens.

Scott and Jonah could have sledded for a week straight.

They were completely insatiable.

Back at the cabin having some down time.

After dinner we went to the beach.

The water was cold, but the kids would've gotten in if we'd let them.

We stayed until the sun went down to keep them out of the house as much as possible.

Another day of play

I stopped at the grocery store and bought the boys proper sunglasses and waterproof gloves, which made all the difference.

Perry and Jane were more interested in sledding the second day.

Holding the reins, as usual.

Jane enjoyed the snow

and the sand.

We picked up pizza and ate at the beach to give them a little space.

With nobody else around, they could be as loud and free as needed.

John even dipped his toes in. Wild times.

Then it was time to pack up and head back to reality. We're so grateful for our friends for sharing their home so we could get out of ours for a bit.