I told the girls to watch for the crocuses as the first sign of spring. In Richmond, we watched for the daffodils, and it is always a thrill to see the first green shoots coming from the ground. Yesterday, we spotted crocuses all over our yard, like they sprang from nothing, even after being burdened by winters harsh kill, and the 60 inches of snow.

Yesterday was a balmy 57, so we were out in short sleeves. When he's outside, Sam spends as much time as he can manage over at our neighbors house, watching the dogs, and running away when they come to close to him. Max, Madeline and Ella are so happy to be playing with our neighbors again. Sunday, all the children in the culdesac were outside with their parents flying kites. It was lovely to see the sky throw about the colorful kites and watch the kites maneuver them.

Two weeks ago, Madeline, Ella and I started our eggplant, pepper, cilantro, basil and parsley seeds. The girls each pick a pack of flower seeds they wanted to start, and we planted those as well. Yesterday, I started tomato seeds, including some heirloom seeds that I tried to save a few years ago from Chris's grandmothers tomatoes. I hope they work out.

Ella has started a Pokemon trading card company on her Kindergarten bus.  She doesn't own any Pokemon cards, or didn't, as of a few days ago.  Now she owns five, given to her from various boys and girls on her bus.  She trades those cards, and seems to always acquire more through her endeavors.  Whereas before, she begged me to not have to ride the bus, now she is the first one out the door, and is content to ride the bus home as well.

Madeline told me she is more excited about planting this year than she is about anything, including horses.  I knew I needed to get the seeds started when I heard this, because all I hear about from her, is how she wants to take horseback riding lessons.  She also wants to learn to yo-yo, as she has been reading Sheila the Great, and Sheila good friend is the best yo-yoer in town.  I think Madeline likes the idea of being the best in town at something.  

Max spends a lot of time ON TOP of the dining room table (the one we don't use).  In fact, he has moved in there.  He has his dinosaur puzzle on the table, he takes it apart and redoes it several times a day, always informing me that "he really needs my help".  He brought all his dinosaurs in and lines them on the table daily.  They are placed  alternately between viewing the puzzle, or to look outside, maybe watching for Ella's bus to arrive.

  I cleaned the dining room one day, much to the dismay of Max.  The next morning, he found me immediately after he came downstairs to check on his dinosaurs, and told me he needed my help to find all his dinosaurs and "fix" them.  I helped him get them out of the toy-box, but apparently one m wasn't there, so we had to search until we found it downstairs.  Then he needed my help to find the dinosaur puzzle.  I decided it was in my best interest to deed the dining room table to Max and his dinosaur effort.

Sam is a bundle of joy and mischief.  He loves cookies, I think introducing GS cookies to him was a mistake. He is delightful and exasperating at the same time.  

We all enjoy Ryan's company.  Madeline often request that he wake her up early so she can eat breakfast with him.  Ryan and I have been playing in separate tennis leagues, and it's fun when we can go play together. Now that the weather is changing, we hope to spend a lot of time there.