Spring Has Sprung

You wouldn't know it from the weather this week, but the garden is waking up with all the daffodils in full bloom and the star magnolia is just beginning to shed its bright white petals. The 60 and 70 degree days we had during mid-March really kick started things on Valley View Avenue. We've been digging for worms and helping neighbors plant grass(see photo of giant dirt pile), and trying to figure out just where we'll plant our "pizza garden" this spring. Already it's April and that manic feeling that spring brings with it is upon me; preparing flower beds, cleaning basements, signing up kids for camp, putting down the grass seed, everything happens now for the big splash. Gardening with a toddler brings a whole new perspective to the notion of actually accomplishing anything. I'll be lucky to put mulch down, throw some tomatoes and herbs in the ground and turn on the hose now and again. If Norah isn't chasing the neighborhood cat down the street, she's making it to the top of the swing set ready to plunge to her death. Not that being inside is any safer; during the month of March she managed to get out the front door twice (once making it all the way down the porch steps, fall down the basement steps on her head, and eat the better part of a tube of toothpaste. What was wrong with two kids.....

We survivied Spring Break-I wanted to have "I survived Spring Break 09" shirts made. Mostly I cleaned up puke and other body fluids and put ice packs on people's heads. I made a silent promise (okay, I really actually screamed it) that we were going somewhere, anywhere next year. The highlight was definitely seeing Monsters V. Aliens in 3D and getting my toenails painted with Julia. Let's just say I was glad when Monday rolled around.

My job is going really well. I love the people I work with, and I am really enjoying getting to know my students. This is an exciting time to be working in a college with all of the challenges in the economy. I'm seeing how rapidly education is trying to switch gears to meet the needs of a changing work force. I love the energy of expanding ideas and programs and helping people reach their goals and learn new skills.

Here are some shots of the troops. I love the one of Norah with the cereal bowl. She has watched the kids tip theirs back to capture the milk, and she's taken it to a new extreme.