Spring Abounds!

So, now that I'm a bit rested, how about a weekend recap? We began Saturday with a trip to the FM--of course. :o) Saturday morning was beyond beautiful with gorgeous sun and nice cool temps. I was floored it was as dead as it was when we arrived. By the time we left, the crowds were out full force, though.

It's still fairly early in the season, so Amy and Becky don't have any produce and I haven't seen them yet. Saturday was my day for taking photos of all the spring flowers. I purchased 125 daffodils(!)--they were so fragrant and sunny. :o)

I also picked up some beef and eggs. That was it. However, I thoroughly enjoyed my trips up and down DoG Street. Please note my use of the plural. As we were on our way to the car, we ran into Nana and Pop--who were looking for us. They had thought to find us by looking for hoards of dogs, knowing Lil would be in their midst (and trust me, she rubbed more than her fair share of pooches Saturday). Instead, they located us by my laugh. :sigh: I'm afraid I inherited my father's rather um, robust laugh, and while suitable for a big man, not so wonderful for a woman. Oh, well. It's a distinguishing characteristic, so there you have it.

I took another trip up the street with Mom (figuring I could walk Ellie down a bit) and then we went on some errands with them. B and I took Lil home for a nap and I designed Ellie's birth announcement (oh my goodness, this child had better be female, otherwise, I'll be putting 48 pink birth announcements up for sale...).

We awoke Lil, packed her bag and shuttled her for an overnight with Nan and Pop. They thought we could use one more weekend just the two of us before the Bean arrives. B and I took FULL advantage and had dinner and did a bit of shopping. We purchased the conversion rails for the Bean's crib. We also picked up some sundries from the 'Jay, using gift cards to pay for the purchases. We then used a gift certificate for dinner and had a free coupon for ice cream for dessert. :o)

After Mass Sunday, I met with Pat to walk her through the rest of the sub plans, and finally found my way back to Mom and Dad's FIVE HOURS later! Oops! Needless to say, by the time we got home last night, I was beat. I think all that walking I did this weekend did some good though, because although I wouldn't go so far as to say Ellie has "dropped", I can say she is now resting lower in my pelvis than before. I don't feel her in my ribs like I did yesterday. :o)

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Today, we braved the post office and then hit the library just at the beginning of story time. Hooray! I now know where we will be going on Monday mornings. :o) I also picked up books for our first "unit" in "Mommy Preschool". I'm actually licensed to teach preschool through sixth grades, so hey, I'm "qualified", lol! We will be studying seeds and plants to begin, so we have a number of books on the life-cycle of a seed. We will have hands-on experiments (we will definitely be observing seeds and growth--outside of our gardens) and will have science journals to record observations. She can draw pictures of what she sees and also begin to try and write words. I'm pretty excited about this. :o)

I'm actually going to write up some plans, because as I've written before, I do MUCH better when I have a schedule and routine to follow. Besides, my life revolves around lesson plans and has done so for 10 years, so it feels "normal" to do so.

We are also going to do the life cycle of a butterfly when our painted lady larvae arrive. :o) I'm hoping to work on writing/reading, science, and some math this summer. I don't know where we will find the time, but we WILL! I'm GOING to spend time with my girl. :o)

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Okay, picture overload ahead--flowers, flowers and yet more flowers. :o)


I've never seen curly willow. I was fascinated. Lily, meanwhile, loved the pussy willows, calling them "pussy pillows". She was delighted to see the ground littered with them and pocketed quite a few. :o)

Ah, a view down the street.


These columbines were for sale. I made Brien promise not to let me purchase any more plants for my shade garden, but boy it was tough to resist. :oP


These bleeding hearts were actually cut flowers. Aren't they amazing?

These daffodils/narcissus had that lovely coral colored center. I'm not sure what the bell-shaped flowers are, but I had to have some of each. :oP


See, more flowers. Here's a Lily. ;o)




This is the booth run by the autistic man and his mother. He has the greenest thumb of any human alive and has plants for ALL seasons.

Lil and I decided we needed a chocolate chip cookie and raspberry lemonade from Aroma's.

These are at "confusion corner", on the W&M campus.

My purchases.


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Today's/Weekend Sparklies:

1. Lil decorated the studio for me:

2. The fabulous weekend. Oh it was delightful! :o)
3. So many delightfully yummy smelling flowers. :o)
4. Our trip to the library.
5. I survived the "grand opening" of our old Ukrop's. I'm not thrilled with the new store, but, then again, I REALLY don't like change, lol!
6. Pat took me at my word and called me when she had some questions today. I'm more than happy to help.
7. Sr. Rose called this evening, but I missed her call. She's SO sweet!
8. Chatting with the neighbors this afternoon. Both of them, independent of each other, volunteered to help out however they could if I needed them when the Bean is coming. I tell you what, I'm BLESSED to have so many wonderful people in my life. :o)
9. My lettuces haven't bolted yet. Whew!
10. Catnaps. You can't beat 'em. :oP

No milestones.
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Well, here is the Bean and me:
38 weeks 5 days. I technically have 9 days to go... We'll see if Miss Bean is handed her walking papers or if she'll come out on her own. I'd like to make it past this Wednesday at least since that's the day we get the hospital tour (yes, yes, I like to leave things to the last minute...). Otherwise, I'm BEYOND ready! She's running out of room, I'm really not so comfortable at this point, it's just time. Well, time in 9 days anyway. ;oP
Feet? What feet???

Okay, I've rambled enough... I go to my OB appointment tomorrow. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for all the prayers and positive thoughts, I can use them all. :o)