Picture post...

I'm thinking on a post about routines and change and the passage of time tonight.

But it turns out that the routine and change and passage of time that I am living with this week, is not allowing any surplus for brilliant composition.

So here are some pictures.

Today, I will do what I can and let that be enough.

Last Friday: Parent helping at Ivy's school.  I could get used to a half day of work and a half day of not-really-work-at-all.

We even had time for a quick visit to the History Museum, a little mommy-Ivy date in the chilly spring air, all before I usually get home from work.  A gift of an afternoon...

 Also, Friday was the spring equinox so we partied it down.  We played Set and tried to balance eggs on end.

Little divits in the table top really help...

Saturday:  A visit to Hale Farm for the Maple festival and Pancake breakfast.  We were squeezing the trip into a busy day-- the kids loved it so much that it was hard to leave after just two hours.  

Its good for us to follow through on our "Leave when you're still having fun" philosophy. And luckily we have a membership to enjoy this year.  We'll be back, Hale Farm!

It was pretty cute watching Nat and Jack bond over all the "Minecraft" connections they could make as we watched the blacksmith work...

Sunday:  A visit to the Cleveland City Greenhouse.  A gorgeous but chilly day, with two kids tired from a sleepover, begged a visit to someplace bright and warm and laid back.  The greenhouse obliged and then some.  The pity here is that the pictures didn't capture the smell of the grapefruit trees in flower...

Had to take some time to investigate a nearly invisible boo-boo.  Full time job for this girl, the monitoring of invisible boo boos.

25 degrees out?  not too cold for a game of tag!

It's been a chilly week with plenty of dreary March-ish rain... but also some amazing sunshine with the promise of spring in the air.  Tonight a robin sang heartily to us from our front yard.  On Tuesday I stole a 5 minute sunset trip to Rocky River beach and there was a little bit of water licking at the shore.  It's on its way...

Tonight we spent the evening at Boulevard for the Soul food Potluck and Invention Convention Science Fair.  Jack will do an individual project next year but was quite proud to show off the 2nd grade class project of Angry Birds- inspired catapaults and slingshots.  

It was a fun event at our cozy little school.  SO great to watch Jack be so confident, running ahead to go in with some friends, at ease in his environment.  So big...

Finally, some "art shots" for you from this past week, compliments of Nathaniel.  Enjoy!

(24 hours from now I will be on SPRING BREAK!  I am enjoying that thought...)

March-ing onward

March is a roller coaster of a month,  I tell ya.  The snow is melting!  But-- the dog poop is revealed (in massive quantities) in the neglected yard.  The sun is shining!  But-- it shows just how disgusting the house has gotten over these months of cabin fever.  Spring Break is on the horizon!   But-- first I have to live through State tests, a gazillion IEP's to write, and end of the quarter insanity.  I am so incredibly behind at work and early meetings have taken time away from the gym and late work has taken time away from my family and ....

March.  Seriously.

Not letting anything keep me from enjoying my weekend, though!

Highlights reel:

Weekend-on-a-weekday:
We cashed in our WSC auction prize and had a ladies night at the Palace Theater, enjoying the heck out of our loge seats and the lively bit of theater fluff that is the stage version of Dirty Dancing.  Drinks and mixed nuts, brought right to our seats!  An uninterrupted view of the stage!  I could get used to this...

Pi Day!
An otherwise unscheduled Saturday (what???) was given structure and interest by a careful observation of "Pi Day of the Century"  (3/14/15 at 9:26.53am) and then the baking of, well, pie (and round cookies).  We also had dinner at Dewey's (pizza pi(e) of course!) and Nat and I enjoyed our Key lime pie at 9:26pm.

The annual "Balance a pizza box on your head on Pi Day" tradition begins...

I love my little family and the little, spontaneous celebrations we come up with.  Anything can be a celebration if you put your mind to it.

Severance Hall:

My mom and I discovered the Family Concert Series at Severance and were excited to take the kids for their first trip to the Orchestra today.  What fun!  A totally accessible hour long performance (complete with two mimes and some slapstick humour for the  kids), complete with impeccable playing by our fabulous, full orchestra.  We went early for the pre-show activities and I am so glad we did.  The kids each got to try playing a flute, trumpet, trombone and violin.  Ivy was a surprising natural at the trumpet, getting good sound from her first go, and Jack went back for a second round on the violin.  I  love their enjoyment of music and feel blessed to share this Cleveland treasure with them.

It got a little loud in there as the place filled up!!

Plus, it was a gorgeous day to be out in University Circle!  Squeezed in a bit of time for running and jumping before the show!

Gotta run now, for concert number two of the day-- Singing Hayden't Creation Mass with West Shore tonight....

High point of the roller coaster today, for sure...