last snow (?)

It's that time of year when it is 80 degrees one day, and then the very next it freezes and snows.  I know it can be maddening for some (especially for those where the snow sticks!) but I just thought it was so pretty to see the snow against all the blossoms here!  I know, I'm crazy.  I think seeing that the rest of the week's forecast calls for 60s helps. Rowan and I ran out with my camera to catch the what just may be the last snow of Spring.  Rowan excitedly exclaimed, "I'm going to make snow angels!!"  But although she checked often throughout the day, the snow never did stick.  She was a little bummed.  Until I pointed out all the violets she could pick and bring inside.  Nothing cheers my girl up like a freshly picked bouquet!

Soccer practice was cancelled, pajamas were left on, the wood stove was reawakened, and hot cocoa made a reappearance.  But today it is sunny, and Spring seems promising.

botanic gardens

We decided spur of the moment-like to go to the Missouri Botanic Gardens this past Sunday.  If we ever planned an outing in advance, it would be shocking, really.  It was especially spur of the moment since we had meant to go to the butterfly house, which is on a different campus.  But we decided to stay and look around the gardens and save the butterfly house for another day.  It was a great decision.  The sky had opened up and poured rain earlier in the day, so some of the stifling heat was held at bay, and the gardens were all but empty.  The littles absolutely loved it.  Just loved it all.  And it made my heart feel so happy that they enjoyed it so much!  Brian and I have visited gardens all over the world, and this one ranked in the top 5, for certain.

 There was a lot of Chihuly art featured throughout the gardens, which I liked.  I do like how his art echoes nature, and it really doesn't detract for me.  I know others don't like his glass sculptures that well, but I enjoy them.

 Especially when I can use his sculptures for funny pictures of Brian.

 These are water lily pads.  They were about 3 feet in diameter.  Whoa.

These nymphs cavorting below really sparked an interesting topic of conversation with Fletcher after Brian told him that I used to be a nymph that he had "caught."  Oy.  Lots of questions about me living in the forest and dancing naked ensued.  Thanks for that, Brian.

 The littles really loved the Climatron, which was basically an indoor rainforest.  There were lots of waterfalls and tiny creatures to examine, and it was hard to get them to leave.

 Tiny creature alert:

 There was a children's garden that we didn't get to, but we plan on checking that out on our next visit.  The littles didn't mind missing out on it, since there was so much to see.

 Fletcher insisted upon running through this fun fountain.  Rowan just watched.  She didn't want any part of being wet.  I really resisted the idea of Fletcher getting soaking wet, since I assumed we'd never hear the end of how wet and uncomfortable he was the rest of the trip.  I was wrong.  He laughed and ran and enjoyed it so much, and then didn't say ONE WORD about being wet or uncomfortable later.  Proud moment for me!  And a learning moment for me to trust my littles a bit more.  They are starting to gauge what they can handle.

 The Chinese garden was a favorite.  Especially when we found a massive bullfrog singing away.

 I loved the box hedge garden, and I heard a tour guide say there was an actual labyrinth garden on the grounds, but we didn't get a chance to find it.

 The fruit and vegetable gardens were rife with fat bumblebees and butterflies, and we stayed for a while to watch them work.

 I think Brian's favorite garden was the Japanese garden.  We didn't get a chance to fully look it over since littles were complaining of tired feet and thirsty throats.

 Fletcher took off his shoes after running through the fountain, and didn't want them back on.  So we let him wander around barefoot and happy.  It gave him better access to splash in puddles and water anyway.  Both my littles are drawn to water.

 There were a lot of original structures all over the gardens, including this gate house.  So cute, right?

 My little peeping Toms.

We're planning on becoming members and taking advantage of all the campuses around St. Louis that are connected to the Botanic Gardens.  It was really an amazing day that we all could enjoy.  Once Rowan got past the fact that she wasn't allowed to pick any of the flowers, that is!  I can't wait to go back when the Fall foliage makes an appearance.

early morning

Now that the littles have to wake up early for school, I set my alarm a half hour before they have to get up.  Some days I hit the snooze button until it's time to wake them up, but some days I actually get up with the alarm.  And it is always rewarding.  I pour myself a cup of coffee in a favorite cup.  I say one last goodbye to the moon before she slips away from the rising sun.

I linger over whatever produce our gardens are giving.  Mostly they are giving weeds after a summer full of trips away, but some of the plants grow heartily, giving peppers, tomatoes, and watermelons.

Brian's ghost chilis are really doing well, and I don't even touch them, they are so notoriously hot.  But jalapeños are my favorite, and I have a lot of pico de gallo in my future.

New flowers seem to appear overnight around here.  Wildflowers blown in from another area, or spread from visiting birds can crop up in the unlikeliest of places.  The wild morning glories threaten to cover everything, and I am constantly pulling them out of bushes and beds where they don't belong.  They are a beautiful nuisance.

And just when I find the bottom of my first cup of coffee, it's time to wake the littles.  They are so groggy yet cheerful these mornings, and I am trying to cherish this while I can.  I know that groggy cheerful littles can turn into groggy grumpy bigs in no time.

And they eat breakfast slowly, trying to get their eyes adjusted to the brightening light.  They are quiet, yet happy, and it's my favorite time of the day with them.

We talk about what the day will bring, and they stretch and yawn themselves into wakefulness.

And just for those first morning moments, life is calm, peaceful, and relaxed.