Signs of...

I took down the birthday decorations and put up the Easter ones. It's actually fitting since many of them were given to me by my grandmother who recently passed. We often had Easter at her house when I was a kid and I have good memories of these little rabbits and eggs. 

The tulips are out- I love love love them. The colors are just what I need, even after a mild winter like this year. I grow them and I also buy them, I just can't help myself. 

Breaking the geode

One of Unity's presents for her birthday was a large dusty rock. We were all a bit puzzled until her friend explained that it's a geode and you get to smash it. 

Ok, that's a good present. So, on went the swim goggles and outside we went to hammer away at the thing. Finally it cracked open to show us the glittery white crystals hiding inside. 

Birthday joy

Our Unity is now 8 years old. We've been able to celebrate with a houseful of relatives, which is always fantastic. My mom helped us plan and run the panda-themed birthday party. The kids had fun making panda masks and other fun crafts. She is definitely taller than last year. Always growing, always keeping us on our toes. She's loving and loyal, generous and goofy. Happy birthday to Unity!

Spring cookies

The flowers and buds are starting, giving us the sense that spring is really here. Just in time for a certain big kid's birthday on Friday.

My book stack is never ending of course, but the above picture is what I'm working on right now. 

And, we are living and breathing Girl Scout cookies. We had huge piles of them all over the house, that are slowly diminishing as we deliver. It's fun and a good learning experience for Unity, but it's a little exhausting. Still, we are almost done, and Unity's had a lot of practice talking to people and making change and other good skills.