Life Lately | March

You guys, I think this is it. I'm hitting a winter wall hard and I can't chin-up-buttercup myself out of it anymore.

I mean, I am still trying. A couple weeks ago, the sun was out, so Duke and I packed our beach stuff like it was July, and headed over to the lake. Bundled in our hats and mittens and boots and whatnot, I laid on a blanket with a book while Duke played with his sand toys. And you know, it was nice. 

But still, I'm so tired of it. Aren't we all? Isn't this why "variety is the spice of life?" It's been winter for long enough, my brain is craving something new. You know what sounds especially nice right now? Going to a farmers market and eating things like rhubarb and having breakfast at the beach.

In the meantime though, chin up, buttercup. 

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Big news over here! Duke B lost his first tooth! 

It's been threatening to fall out of his head for the last several weeks, and good thing too because the grown up tooth meant to replace it has been waiting, fully erupted, behind it. So for a weird couple of weeks, my baby had a second row of teeth like a GD shark or something. I got a happy call at work on Friday afternoon from Duke, announcing the loss which is why, at 10pm that night, the tooth fairy found herself hunched over the kitchen table modge-podging glitter to a few crisp dollar bills. That sparkly cash is burning a regular old hole in his pockets now. 

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Has March been the sunniest ever? I think so. I really think this winter has not only been very mild, but also so much sunnier than usual and for that, I am grateful. If it has to be winter, at least let it be sunny, and this year, whoever manages those kinds of decisions heard my feedback. 

Duke's been ripping around the yard on a four wheeler that Ryan found in his estate sale travels. Then he carefully parks it in the garage, sometimes taking my spot entirely, closing the garage door behind him, feeling like a real grown-up. 

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Continuing on with my commentary on the weather - last weekend, after a warm week that melted most of the snow, I was deeply disappointed to see a winter storm on the forecast for a Saturday. It promised 10+ inches of wet, heavy snow, and when I woke up that morning, it was delivering on that promise. I made a decision to not fight it. I told Duke he could eat whatever he wanted, watch whatever he wanted, and we stayed home all day. And you know, it was THEE most relaxing day ever. I read a little, watched The Crown, finished Daisy Jones, and ate a full loaf of sticky cinnamon bread. Duke watched his favorite movie, Inside Out, at least three times back-to-back and I found an empty box of popsicles in the trash. 

And then, the next morning, everything was piled with fresh, white snow, and the sun was out and it was glorious. 

If you know my husband, you know that this "look" from Duke is in his freaking DNA. This is a Ryan pose for sure. As evidence, I took this picture of Ryan in 2009 and it makes me cackle that 14 years later, his son would naturally produce the same pose. 

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A few other nice things - 

One night I came home from work to find Ryan helping Duke set up a percussion line made up of all my pots and pans. Then Ryan walked out the door with a casual "see you in a few hours!" I've been dreaming up revenge ever since. 

If you've watched Bluey as much as we have, you probably know that pavlova is a treat that makes a fairly regular appearance. Duke became very interested in that marshmallow-y looking treat and so we made one. Turns out they're pretty easy to make, pretty to look at, and tastes pretty nice, too. 

He's also learned how to make an omelet, another Bluey feature. Good thing eggs aren't $15 a dozen anymore, because we are going through them lately. 

I'd like to share with you my favorite picture this month; George May, always on patrol. I suspect there was something truly sinister outside. Like for instance the mailman. 

Ryan and I went on a date night a few Friday's ago. Nothing crazy, just a neighborhood bar for burgers and a drink, but it happens so infrequently since we had a baby almost 7 years ago, it always feels kind of special. We talked to each other for a good 30 minutes uninterrupted. Good news, we still enjoy each other's company. 

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That just about sums it up for me. We're in touching distance of spring, you guys. And last year in April, I distinctly remember that we had a weekend with 75º weather, so I'm optimistic. Next time I write a "life lately" post, I'm hopeful that I'll be sharing at least one dinner on the patio or something. 

It's free to dream!