Springtime FUN

March has been an abundantly exciting month in our home! Finally the Staunton snow has melted and the weather has been quite warm many days, giving us the opportunity to visit the park, play out in the yard, and walk to our neighbor's house for playtime and lunch. Errands and housework have taken a major backseat now that "Mr. Sun" is so warm and shiny, so if you come to our house please ignore the dusty furniture and unswept floors!

Our little Strawberry is a TALKER these days, combining at least four words into most of her sentences. Just two nights ago I heard her telling Daddy, "Daddy, put it on shoulder puppy purse," as she tried to coax him to wear her favorite accessory. She also loves playing with balls and marbles, dressing in her ducky and ladybug costumes, and walking around the block "self" rather than riding in the stroller. The playground--ANY playground--is a treat...but getting her to leave is not :). She loves to swing, slide (self), and climb whatever she is able. She's not a daredevil by any means, so she takes appropriate risks. This is good, because Mama is still pretty nervous on that big play stuff!

She delights in getting a "surprise," and so will tell me, "Whispa in ear surprise, Mommy!" whenever I make mention of this new word. "Surprises" are anything from a trip to Kroger to grocery shop or an opportunity to see new daffodils that have blossomed. When you're a toddler, all the world is a surprise!

Susannah's latest favorite "surprise" is a warm BUBBLE BATH! She will play in the bubbly water til her fingers and toes are wrinkled and the water has a slight chill rather than abandon any fun that could be had with her bubbles. She wiggles and giggles the whole time she plays!

A recent treat has been her MegaBlocks which Mommy had in the basement already from her early intervention days. Susannah LOVES stacking these blocks while labeling their colors, sizes ("teeny block" versus "big one!"), and "holes." She just chatters away as she builds in her room, both alone or with one of us.

Though Mommy helped make this "big towa," Susannah did most of the work herself! Mama just helped to stabilize things along the way.

Outdoor Discoveries

Last week, we walked with our neighbor Judah and his mama Melissa to the nearby park. While our intention was to go to the Tot Lot, the children were so fascinated with the blooming magnolia and weeping willow trees that we quickly found ourselves exploring nature near the creek rather than swinging and sliding. We all enjoyed the sunshine on our shoulders as we watched ladybugs munch on greening willow branches and listened to the water ripple along the creekbed. Rylie was with us, and she happened upon a mallard duck nest with five eggs inside settled inconspicuously underneath a prickly bush. The toddlers got to see the eggs up close, as the mama duck fled to the creek when Rylie startled her. We are now checking the nest regularly so that we can watch the mama incubate her eggs, and so that we can soon hopefully see the eggs hatch!

Last Friday evening, Susannah and Daddy put another square of suet into the feeder basket out back before looking for some daffodils. Once the basket was in place, Susannah shouted into the sky, "Birdies! Eat it suet cake!" as she pointed to the dangling treat! She then picked a daffodil, held it up to the "hat moon" (her word for a half moon!), and shouted, "Hat Moon! Lookat daffodil!"

Picking a few more to take inside to put into a small vase of water...

Watching ducks and swans swim in the lake at Gypsy Hill Park is so fascinating for Susannah! She desperately wanted to "pet ducky pwease," but we were afraid she'd get nipped. These duckies are quite used to people and are therefore pretty comfortable doing whatever they like!

We've had a marvelous time exploring God's creation this spring, and have felt so privileged to share it all with our darling girl. Anyday now, our tulips that she helped us plant last September will bloom in a colorful burst, and Susannah, who checks their progress almost daily and says excitedly, "Tulips growing, Mommy!", will be the first to notice. What a gift to see the world through her little senses...