Here comes the sun

First, let's all just sing along with this song.

Okay, now that we've done that, I can write an update on what's been going on around here. The song sums it up pretty well, actually. We've spent the last month sloooowly waking up, stretching our limbs, and watching the snow melt after our long, harsh Michigan winter. But today--we had burgers on the grill! We sat in the sun without coats on! The kids played together in the backyard without fighting! I hesitate to actually say it "out loud," but spring is finally here.

Lately, I find myself thinking, "never a dull moment!" a lot. At the same time, there aren't a lot of really exciting moments, either. There's just always something new coming along!

Kevin spent a week with my dad near Las Vegas at what I liked to call "shooting camp." The kids and I survived a long week of solo parenting...seriously, high fives to all the single parents and military spouses out there. It was really hard, and I barely got any "real" work done that week. I had one lucky break--a snowstorm that cancelled school and every other obligation we had that Wednesday (March 12)! Here's the day, in pictures.

Playing "dog and cat." This wasn't exactly a mom-sanctioned activity. 

Only Annie was brave enough to venture outside to get snow...

...for making snow ice cream!

It sounded gross, but it was actually pretty good--the kids ate a ton of it.

We assembled Genny's old Playmobil zoo set. I was actually pretty proud of this.

Kevin made it home, but with food poisoning. Like I said, never a dull moment! A week later, I got to spend a few days in Florida with my mom and grandparents. It was kind of a last-minute trip, and the warmth got me through the last few weeks of winter weather.

Dinner at Bahama Breeze after a Tigers spring training game--don't let the sunshine fool you too much, it was actually cool and windy most of the time we were there.

Those were the big events in March, but there's plenty more to report. I came home from Florida with real, live deadlines for early pieces of my dissertation. Crazy! I'm also trying to load up on assistantship hours and get a revised manuscript out before baby Wernet is due (in less than two months!), all while trying to figure out what next year might look like.

Last weekend, DJ pulled his elbow out of socket during a tickle fight, which was sad and warranted a trip to the new Grand Ledge urgent care. We got baby chicks, you know, because they're so cute. When we picked them up at TSC, the cashier sweetly asked Annie, "oh, you're getting some little chicks?" Annie replied, "yeah, and when they grow up, we're going to eat them!" I'm not sure that's true; when they grow out of their indoor pen they'll probably go to live on the farm with their cousin chickens, but it was funny.

Kevin tapped a maple tree in our yard and--amazingly--has been making delicious maple syrup. We're practically our own farm around here.

Let's see, what else. DJ is getting better at independent play, which is awesome. I found him playing king-pony-fire station the other day.

But he still likes playing with his big sisters the best--he pretty much does and says whatever they do!

Annie is crazy about dress-up and make-believe.

Cowgirl Annie

Powerpuff Girl Annie (with a homemade Mojo Jojo)

Nellie is learning about turkey hunting. Kevin needs a new hunting buddy this year, so Nellie's up!

And I think that's about everything! Isn't it about time to add another kid to this mix?