Michigan Trip and Life Updates

 We just got back from a long weekend in Michigan and it was great. We went so we could attend my grandma's funeral, but we were able to see family and friends and enjoy the time together. I miss my family and I wish I could see them more often, so the times we go are extra special. The kids did great in the car, but we are definitely having a hard time since being home. Our motto on road trips is "there is no limit to anything" (screens, snacks, sleep, etc.) because it's too difficult to manage that while away. But when we get back it's always a hard jump back to reality. Oh well. We'll make it through this disregulation eventually :) Either way, we had a great time!

Isla (and the rest of us) got to meet cousin Madelynn for the first time (even though she's now 15 months old, stupid Covid). Madelynn seemed indifferent, but Isla loved her. She followed her around (more like dragged her around by the hand) and laughed at everything she did. I hope they are best friends someday.

It was so good to see my family and celebrate the life of my Grandma Walworth.

Mimi and Bupa's house has icy pops too! :)

We celebrated Mother's Day and I actually got to be with my mom this year.

I always love going back to my childhood home, but I really love going through my old stomping grounds in the woods. Most of my childhood was spent in our woods and Isla loved exploring it with us. In the time we spent out there we saw more than we do in a normal day of adventuring (a frog, turtle, animal tracks, different kinds of mushrooms and lichens, hawks, and black squirrels!).

Daddy pointed out a spider delicately spinning it's web. How fascinating!

This is Isla screaming, "NO! Don't come near me mom. I need to be by myself in the woods." I mean, I understand that feeling too, I guess.

We even got to see my bestie and Grandma June, but of course I have no pictures to document that :(

Other things we've been up to lately:

We are finishing up our unit on gardening. I use thematic units during our morning basket time *most* days. Isla loves the activities and time together (I wouldn't be doing it otherwise). It gives us some direction and routine for our day. We only do it on days we aren't running somewhere. The gardening unit has been really enjoyable for both of us. Watching the magic of plants go from tiny seeds to sprouts, to flowers, to fruits has been so cool. She literally gets to see the reward of her labor. Plus it allows her to get some outside time, exercise, and snacks (Basil and chives now, but just wait until our strawberries come in! She'll turn into a strawberry from how many she'll eat. I just know it.)

We've been watching a seed germinate right in front of our eyes. All you need is a bean, a wet paper towel, and a clear jar for observation. We watched it split open, roots start to spiral out, leaves start to shoot up, sprouts grow tall and roots grow long. She touched it, observed it under her microscope, and saw magic.

Another really fun thing that happened recently was the day we played in the rain with our friends. I invited my mom's group out to the nature preserve knowing there was a 30% chance of rain. Only a few brave mama friends showed up and we started a hike led by the kids. A couple minutes in and it started to pour. We were all soaked (and some of us were wearing our babies). And although the adults were cold, wet, and complaining, the kids were literally having the time of their life. I wish I could describe how liberating it was to watch them all splashing, running in the rain, looking for worms, stomping through the mud (and falling in the mud). When we got back to the car to change, I had to dump Isla's boots out because they were filled to the brim with water. She was covered in mud, but it didn't matter. What a fun day! And a great reminder again that "there is no bad weather, only bad clothing". 

(notice our feet, the baby strapped to my chest, and the mud all around us!)

And then a few days after that we had another fun day together as a family. Our area has music in the park during the summer and we attended the first night of music in the park. It was big band music, so Michael was able to explain all the instruments to Isla since he had been in jazz band. It was a perfect family night. We brought a charcuterie board of cheeses, crackers, fruits, veggies, breads, and dips that I packed for dinner. Isla loved the music and danced to every song. It was a beautiful night and we can't wait to go again!

Does it count as a date night if the kids are crawling/dancing in the background? This is about all we get nowadays anyway :)

Other than that, there has been a lot of baking, swimming (on the warm days), crafting, Farmer's Market, yoga, snuggling, mom's group, reading, zoo adventures (hello zoo pass!), and playing. We are loving the warm weather!

Oh! And I took BOTH kids grocery shopping for the first time ever, with no list (never again!), and during Ewan's naptime (also, never again). We escaped with food we needed, no tantrums, no nap (oops!), and only a little sweat and stress haha