Flashing back to SPRING!

Ready to go out and plant our garden!

April was such a fun month of LOVING SPRING WEATHER...especially after feet upon feet of snow this past winter! We thought that stuff would never melt. But it did, and we have a yard full of veggies and flowers to prove it!

Susannah was such a dedicated little helper with mixing soil and planting romaine lettuce, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, green peppers, and tomatoes.

Daddy built our very first raised bed and our friend "Jekissa" (known as "Jessica" to her peers) came over and did some dirty work with us one morning during VSDB's spring break.

Taking time out from digging to roll on Rylie. Our poor, tortured animal...

Spacing out the spinach and lettuce before putting it into the soil

Now to plant tomato seeds into small biodegradable pots and then watch them grow and grow!

Alice the Lambie, Perhaps God's Cutest Creation EVER

Our friend Martha and her family where "fostering" a three-week-old lamb who was rejected by her mother because she is a twin. The Tillens invited us over to come play with Alice one afternoon, and we had such a marvelous time! Susannah was equally as fascinated with Alice as she was with the family's dog, Dingo. (Perhaps this is because she sees baby lambs all the time but has never encountered a real live dog??? Am I the only one completely confused by the fascination patterns of toddlers?!)

Kitty, Martha's daughter, has such a natural gift with little ones (sheep and humans) and kept Susannah completely entertained chasing the lamb and playing in the dollhouse and on the swingset. Catch a glimpse of Alice's hind legs as she frolics!

Holding Alice, all the while talking so sweetly to her...





Horses at Beulahland

Susannah and I have the privilege of taking a former neighbor to visit her husband at a unique and breathtaking nursing home in the small town of Raphine, about thirty miles from Staunton. After she visits with the elderly, Susannah always likes to go outside and visit the home's four horses. Above, she pets Pepper, a resident pony.

She delights in taking apples and carrots to the horses each week, reminding me before we leave to put the treats into the diaper bag. Here, she watches as Popcorn, another pony, finishes his apple. She hasn't gotten brave enough to hold the apple in her hand while the horses eat it, and I must confess I don't blame her! Horses aren't exactly known for having the best manners or teeth-awareness when it comes to sweet treats!

Giving Popcorn a good rub-down! The two other large horses, Jay and Simon, are a bit intimidating for Susannah, though Mommy is learning how to handle horses from the home staff: when they get too close, simply push them back with firmness and speak assertively. Susannah, when asked, can list off all four horses' names, identify them when she sees them, and even recount certain funny or interesting things they do, such as the time Jay sneezed!

Back at home, Susannah wastes no time in wrestling with her own horse...errrr...dog.

Riding the Green Trolley

On a cool spring morning we got ready to walk to the park trolley stop a block away to ride with neighbors Judah and his mommy Melissa to Pufferbellies Toys and Books downtown. Our Strawberry chose to wear her favorite RED hat and jacket. Red seems to be her favorite color!

Walking up our street's big hill wearing her froggy backpack full of snacks!

FIST BUMP with her best buddy Judah!

Waiting at the trolley stop and wearing Mommy's toddler dress!

Exploring our tulips, which we watched grow all throughout the month of April and even chronicled through a picture book.

Spring Photo Shoot!

We took Susannah to local Mary Baldwin College campus in mid-April when the double-blooming plum trees were in their pink floral glory. What a great photo op this little excursion provided us!

What a wonder it is to experience spring with a life-giving toddler!!!!