Mommy's Blog: Spring Forward (and catching up)

Happy Equinox, dear ones! Hope is on the horizon as we turn the corner into spring. The sun is shining brighter and warmer and longer, and the world is opening up, in every way. This week I hit my "fully vaccinated" milestone, and the state of Ohio opened up vaccination to the over-40 crowd, so each day brings more announcements that my treasured friends are getting vaccinated too. It feels like it might really happen sometime, this return to our normal lives. And regardless, spring is going to happen. Our daffodils are up and the birds are a cacophony of joy.

Current news:

* Our doggo is home! She has weaned her puppies and we are back to our full complement of mammals in the house.

* I'm on spring break! This year is flying. I am grateful for the records day I had yesterday, so that I can enjoy sleeping in, going on long runs, and painting the hallway and entryway with no work to worry about.

* The kids will be returning to 5 full days of school after their spring break! Talk about gratitude. We have noticed that Jack is like a different person when he comes home from his in person days. He may not *say* he wants to be back in school but it is so good for him.

And now for a photo dump catch up. We're going to rewind back to end of ski season and watch as springtime begins to emerge.

We were able to use our ski passes 28 times this season, which is not too shabby. We skiied the first day of the Ohio season and the last (pictured later). In between we had every possible type of snow, some bitterly cold weather, and a really remarkable number of gorgeous days and spectacular sunsets. I know most of these "ski day" photos are going to look pretty much the same to you, but I treasured each of these moments, the time outdoors, with everyone in the family enjoying themselves.

Spring-ish weather in late February has brought a few more of my running groups out of the woodwork. Paloma and I have been running most Mondays and Wednesdays all winter, right through the snow and ice and 15 degree weather. I've added running with Rachel and Marissa on Saturdays for long runs. Having a running buddy is a gift. The miles fly by. And just like skiing, it gets us out, no matter what. When we started the run pictured below it was 35 degrees and drizzly. Seven miles later, sunshine! Always worth it.

A gorgeous treat of a February day to visit the orchids with our friends. In this Covid world, where advance reservations are required, you can't plan around the weather. But sometimes you just win.

This tenrec had a really hard night last night.

Took some work to get the two of them in there this year. They are good sports though,

After-orchid time in / on the fountain. We frosted our own cupcakes and soaked up the sunshine and the company.

Here's one of those spectacular sunsets. One of our last nights at Brandywine. Both kids skiied Progression Park and Jack was getting some pretty good air.

Sunset at Euclid beach is nice too. The ice-world of Hoth has disappeared... but it is still chilly by our lake, and surprising to think that we'll be swimming here before long.

Gram's birthday. We had a yummy chili and cornbread supper, then Steve and Eileen joined us for cake.

Largest family gathering we've had in while. Strange, masked, but good.

And... the big day! Shot number 2! SO utterly grateful to my school district and the state for making it incredibly easy and convenient, and for taking care of teachers. That feels good sometimes. Also we had the rest of the day off which felt good too.

Random photo of kitty cat basking.

You know you're a mom during Covid when... I had the opportunity to pick Ivy up from her half-day hybrid school after I got my shot, and watching her, and all the other children, come out of school-- I got all choked up. Actual tears. It is so good to see children in our beloved Boulevard, after almost an entire year. We became numb to a lot of the loss, I think. I got used to seeing the school empty after so long. I hadn't fully realized how good THIS moment would feel til it happened...

Another day, another ski trip. Jack and his friends have had such a nice time together out on the slopes this winter.

And some emerging spring: Lake Farmpark reopened just in time for baby animals. After completely missing the chance to see little lambs last year (we'd put off the trip, thinking we'd have more time, and then....) we went on the first day they opened. Like everything else during Covid, the experience was diminished somewhat. Fewer lambs, no greenhouse. It felt a bit like we were going through the motions of a farmpark visit... but the babies were cute!

We treated ourselves to a spring skiing day at Peek'n'Peak, thanks to some half price tickets from Geigers. It was a stellar way to ring out the season. Perfect weather, remarkably good snow, a very happy young man who met 4 friends there for the day. We were completely charmed by this little resort in the middle of nowhere, complete with adorable ski-out chalets at the top of the mountain, and a nice variety of accessible, pleasant runs. We put in about 6 hours of skiing, and a fair amount of drinking beer on the patio too. A day well spent.

Outdoor time is increasing. We've been cleaning up the yard and dreaming of ways to improve it. Maybe some nice edging around the groundcover, maybe a new propane fire ring on the pergola. We are going to be reconfiguring the chicken run and rehabbing the side wall of the garage. Maybe some windows and window boxes! After learning the cost of a new garage we have decided to make the most of what we have.

Had our friends over for a fire and temporarily used our charcoal grill as a pergola fire pit. It *almost* worked.

The weather has been teasing us, with brilliant blue sky days that are just a little too cold to actually enjoy. We go to the lake anyhow.

And we ski the last day of the season even if the snow is a combination of slush and mud and getting down the hills was a slog. We got in a ceremonial 5 runs and then went for milkshakes. We are going to miss skiing. It has gotten us through.

But now the chance to run and play without coats, and soon, to see our friends and gather in groups and maybe even go to the pool this summer.... that's going to get us through now.