Back to the Arboretum

Most years, in the spring, I've taken a trip to the arboretum specifically to get pictures of the early flowers. Last year that portion of the arboretum was being "improved" and we did not get our usual tulip pictures. When today came up gorgeous I knew we'd better go!

For the record Harper had a blast, Michael was not necessarily impressed.


I often have trouble refraining from adding a ridiculous number of photos to my posts, but the outdoor excursion ones are the worst - kids look so nice in natural light!

Matt was coaching today, but his dad, Dziatku, joined us at the arboretum. This explains the presence of the Tigers cap in the above photo! Did you know Matt was born in Detroit?


I spoke briefly with my own dad today, who was quick to point out that I hadn't updated the blog in over a week! I was quick to point out that it has actually only been six days. The subbing job is going well, but getting out of the house so early every morning is kicking my butt. I am managing to go to be early (for me, anyway) some nights, but not all nights. I'm working on it. I have a feeling this blog may continue to be a little neglected for the next several weeks, as well as my email, and commenting on/reading other blogs. How do you full-time working people find time for this stuff without staying up all night?!


Things are going a lot better with Michael at the babysitter's -whew! After the Easter weekend ER trip I suspect at least some of his distress was that he really wasn't feeling well. The ER doc told us that the croupy cough gets really bad about three days into being sick. Which would mean he was already sick when we started leaving him with Miss R.

The last two days of this work week I went to pick him up and he was sitting out in the front yard happily playing with Miss R and her son. Michael's been a little clingier than usual this past week, but I am much less worried that we are traumatizing him with the whole babysitter set-up.


I'm excited to get out more with the kids this year. Harper is old enough that I don't have panic about being close to a bathroom at all times. And she is old enough that I (mostly) trust her not to run away from me. Michael is young enough to still be in diapers and be (mostly) contained in the stroller. I think this summer and next summer will be good ones for outings. I find age three, Michael in two years, a very difficult age for outings because children are still relatively clueless about big dangers (busy streets, falling from high places, etc.), are willing to run far away from you and NOT willing to be trapped in a stroller, and are likely to need to be whisked away to the bathroom with thirty seconds notice.


With the exception of last year, when I was worried we'd never leave the house again, I always thrill with the possibility of outdoor adventures this time of year. Then again, I got sunburned today (I remembered to protect the kids at least!) and as soon as the temperature gets close to eighty degrees it will feel HOT and I will be less excited about being out of the air conditioning... I'm a weather wuss for sure.


You may have noticed this before now, but I think cohesiveness is a highly overrated quality in blog posts.


Especially when they end with money shots of the children!