all summer in a day

All this rain. Day after day. A break, a brief break, and then... more rain.

OK, I know. We in the PNW should be prepared for this. All the green, all the gorgeous moss that hangs from these grand Ponderosa pine trees... it wouldn't be here but for the rain.



If I didn't have kids, I probably wouldn't care. I'd curl up with a nice book and a warm cuppa and enjoy the humid, saturated air. But with kids? With two toddlers??? It's insane. Crazy. Impossible to tolerate.


Yesterday we had a day of sunshine, and I couldn't help but be transported back to my junior high days, when we read All Summer in a Day. Did you read it, too? Or see the film? The children pouring out of the barracks, soaking up the sun for the one day it would shine in their, what, lifetime? It has felt like that this spring.




Although, I will say, I am proud to send my boys out in their rain pants and raincoats to romp in our backyard jungle even when it is raining.

the day after the sun...

blossoms blooming and melting...

Shoghi, as the rain suddenly falls:

a taste of spring

Here in Portland, the daffodils are in full bloom, cherry trees are opening their pink blossoms, and purple azaleas blaze. The week my parents were here was extra special for the nice dose of spring-like sun we got. The warmth continued a few more days, finding me and the boys spending every possible moment playing outside. I took the lambskins off their beds and gave them a nice wool wash, drying them in the afternoon sun while Max and Shoghi ran around the yard.

There's nothing like a burst of sunshine and warm air to get in the mood for spring cleaning, or apparently if you are a toddler, to get in the mood to run around in the back yard in the buff. Ah, warm weather... we all welcome you!!!

before bed

I just wanted to take a moment before going to bed tonight for a little gratitude. I so appreciate all the support flowing this way right now, both from the blog and from facebook. Your comments, emails, messages and calls have really sustained me. Thank you so much for taking an interest in this little family and sending your words of encouragement.

I'm also glad to say that today was markedly easier. Tonight, Max fell asleep with me by the side of his crib, singing to him after only five minutes of lying there. He fussed for less than a minute and there was absolutely no crying, and fell asleep without anything in his mouth. I wouldn't have believed this would happen just one night after our experience yesterday.

Here are some photos taken today:

he fell asleep sucking his thumb!

Shoghi has been moved to L's room while Max takes Sleep 101

Today we celebrated spring by going to opening day of the farmer's market!
Here's Laurie carrying Shoghi in the meitai.