manager53 — Page 5

Fresh Air

I think the cold weather is over for us — at least I hope so. Everybody is excited to get outside and play or take a walk, etc. I bought a jump rope and the kids are having a blast with such a simple thing. They have had so much fun that I have ordered two more.

Andrew and Bethany went to inspect the outdoor kitchen they made last summer. It doesn’t look good — leaves everywhere, everything dirty, sticks all over the place, etc.

So, they decided to clean. But, with so many leaves and branches and everything being so dirty, it will take a while. They spent the afternoon getting leaves and sticks out of the kitchen and organizing a little, and washing a few things.

Andrew even broke up some wood and stacked it. He said it was so they could build a fire in their kitchen — not really — just pretend.

Even Bethany’s fairy house is a mess, but she didn’t get around to cleaning that yet. She said she would do that another day — after the kitchen is finished.

Zola and Jordan took a little time to rest on the hammock. We left it up all winter long and it still looks good. I am surprised.

I love this time of year when everything blooms and I know that summer is near. When the kids can run and play outside with no coats or boots.

Oh, I almost forgot. Bethany, as usual, found a worm. If it crawls or flies or swims, she will find it and want to make it her pet.

What We Are Reading

We finally read a book that wasn’t by Carolyn Haywood. It was Twig by Elizabeth Orton Jones. Bethany really loved this book about a little girl that lived on the fourth floor of a house in the city. The story was magical and it was enjoyed by everyone that listened.

We are now finishing Betsy and the Circus — another Carolyn Haywood book. This book is not quite as good as some we have read by her, but we are still enjoying it. I think this is one of the newer ones she wrote — written in the early 70’s.

We have a lot going on in the next couple of months — a baby dedication, a daughter graduating from medical school then getting married, a dance recital and on a smaller scale the kids all have to be tested. Hopefully, after all of this we will have a very relaxing and calm summer.

Sophia doesn’t like many things, but she sure likes to sit on the front porch — like her mom.

Joshua has been coming to visit a lot and he is such a cheerful little boy most of the time. He will have his baby dedication in April.

I’m not exactly sure why, but I really like this picture of Reagan getting her hands cleaned off by her daddy after playing in the sandbox at our house.

Finally, I think spring may really be here. We are all so tired of winter and sleet and snow. I can hardly wait for summer and iced coffee on the front porch.