A little sunshine goes a long way!

While we are very aware that winter is far from over for us East Coasters, a couple of mid-sixty days these past few weeks has done wonders for us! It is a little peek of Spring, a small indication that warmth and outdoor happiness are just around the corner. These little bits of glorious sun are nature's little whisper to us: " do not lose heart, stay strong, fight the steady fight--I will send you Spring yet!" Oh, to be certain, we will see more snow and we will still shiver just running outside to start the car in the morning, but with these hope-filled days so soon behind us, and the promise of more very soon before us, we can persevere, we can stand, we will breath deeply and let these warm whispers sustain us until we can be together again--we will survive!

Here is Meg testing the temperature last week and then escaping to turn a few spins outside:



It's been a long and very cold winter, so please understand these musings come from a place deeper (and colder) than normal! Even my Meg danced a little dance and begged to eat breakfast on the deck this morning! Brian and Meg were awake, dressed and playing outside by 8:00 am. Brian dug Meg's little garage sale tricycle from last fall out to the front yard and was astonished that she could now ride it (she rides bikes at pre-school, silly daddy) so they rode up and down Larch rode as far as the sidewalk goes in both directions. After a really wondrous morning spent mostly outdoors (alongside snow still piled up against the house and in shady spots), we all headed off to Barbie's 4th birthday party! I just adored how sweet Meg looked when we left, so I snapped this picture, figuring that if I wanted a picture I had better get a good shot before she was covered with cake. . . or worse. So, here she is BEFORE:

Well, Barbie's party was over the top with kiddie excitement, including a face-painter! All the little girls had sweet little flowers and butterflies and princess tiaras painted on their sweet little girl faces, but not my Meg. She requested a monster face, and had to repeat this request several times for a surprised face-painter! So, here is my little Meg AFTER:


Tonight after Meg's bath we let her stay up and play for "a few extra minutes" during which a very tired daddy fell asleep on the bed. Meg then decided to bring him a few animals to sleep with "to help him feel better" then brought him an extra blanket which she arranged a dozen times to make sure it covered both his feet and shoulders. The best part of this story is the happy ending. When I finally called an end to the evening and announced bedtime, she put every single animal back where they belong in her room. I had gone downstairs to get Meg a cup of water and when I came up she showed me and said, "look, mommy--it's all cleaned up! Does that make you happy?" It certainly does, Meg. It certainly does!