Happy Spring Day...

David and I spend a lot of time talking about gifts for the boys. We try to be very intentional when it comes to what we give them for their birthdays and for Christmas. This previous fall, David and I were on a walk and we were attempting to plan out the upcoming gifts. It occurred to us that Jonah and Judah both have birthdays in the cold months and that Christmas is obviously in a cold month as well, not times very conducive to giving outdoorsy things and telling them they will have to wait months before using them. At that moment we came up with the idea for a new tradition that we would call "Spring Day". Spring Day would generally occur on the first day of Spring unless schedule or whether did not allow. On Spring Day, the boys would be surprised with some sort of outdoor gift...something that would encourage play and encourage the enjoyment of spring.

So on March 20th, 2010 the Smiths celebrated our first Spring Day. The gift choice for Jonah was obvious, a bike. He was able to ride his cousin Moses' bike last summer and he was often telling us that he wished he had a bike like Moses. Now he does. Seeing the look on his face when he saw "a bike just like Moses'" was priceless. Hearing him say thank you at least 5 times while he rode his new bike made it all worth it. Choosing a gift for Judah was not quite as simple. We decided to get him a soccer ball that is attached to a band that brings that ball back to you. He likes it but he really just wanted to put on Jonah's helmet and ride the bike like Moses'. We also decided to get a gift for the two of them (mostly because daddy could stand the idea of them not having a functioning basketball hoop outside where they could improve their skills:)). Judah just thinks he is a big boy. It might be due to him being around older kids a lot of the time or it may be because he is just daring and likes to think of himself as older. Whatever it is, he seemed to like all of the Spring Day gifts.

Unfortunately, Spring is a time of unpredictable whether. The morning we celebrated, it was warm and sunny. That night, the temps dropped 20+ degrees and it rained for two straight days. Fortunately, as I look out the window, it is sunny and fairly clear which gives me hope that we will soon be able to enjoy our Spring Day gifts again very soon.

The Snack Drawer...

Many families have a snack drawer. Most use the drawer to store their snacks....Judah...he has chosen to redefine the meaning of a snack drawer.

The Wiser Parts of the Family...

Visiting with Grandpa Shindeldecker on Saturday. Judah was quite interested in Grandpa's scooter and surely would have ridden away if he could have figured it out. Jonah was quite full of love and compliments. As soon as we walked into the building, Jonah looked around and said "oh, this is so beautiful". I love those kids!

A Sunday full of Smiths...Can you see the family resemblance? We decided to have a small gathering on Sunday to spend time together before David's dad journeys across the US on his bike. Yes...I said "on his bike". Would you believe that this 62 year old is getting ready for a 6 week, 2600 mile bike trip from coast to coast?! Way to go Al! See you in April 30th!

Can you feel it?

This morning, I sent my boys out the door in their sweatshirts...no winter coats with hoods, just their sweatshirts. Maybe I am being a bit eager but I think they will be able to handle it just fine. I didn't wear a coat at all and felt just fine. I love that the sun is shining and that I can feel spring in the air. The snow is melting and though the ground is a mess from being saturated, I have faith that in just a few days my boys will be able to walk on it without ending up with their shoes caked in mud. Our driveway and sidewalks are clear and the boys have loved getting to play outside. I remember feeling this way last year and now I am feeling it again...I think that nice weather makes me feel like a better mom. When I take the kids outside, they seem happier and more entertained. I find myself saying 'no' less often and sitting back able to enjoy their exploration of the things around them. It is hard to believe the difference a year makes. Last year, I would have had to strategically plan our trips outside around Judah's 3 naps a day schedule and I would have been holding him almost every time we were outdoors. This year, he wants to run with the big dogs. Yesterday, Jonah and his friend, John, wanted to ride their trikes down the sidewalk to the end of the road. Judah was right there behind them, practically running as fast as they could ride. And he has fallen in love with the electric car. Fortunately, since it isn't too safe for Judah at this point, David detached the battery so that even though the car won't move, Judah can still climb in a dance to the music that plays when he pushes the car's buttons. He acts as if he doesn't have a care in the world. I am looking forward to a spring that is not governed by my children's nap schedules but instead by their desires to be kids.

Sharing Zoe...

Some of David and I's closest friends are Tim and Karen Daugherty. They have extremely special to us for several years now. Though, they had been in our lives for quite a while before getting pregnant with Zoe, they became even more significant to us during that time. Tim and Karen were amazing at being present with us through that time, even in the times where there was awkwardness and discomfort. In the days following Zoe's death, Tim and Karen would have flown to the moon and back for us if that is what we needed. We appreciate them so much. Tim and Karen will quickly say that their daughter Waverley was conceived out of seeing that love that David and I expressed for Zoe. Tim wasn't quite ready to have kids before that experience but something about watching us love Zoe, convinced him that he wanted to experience that love also. That is and will always be a humbling thought to me. So Wavey was born within a year of Zoe's death. By God's grace, Jonah was born just a few months later. They absolutely LOVE each other. Maybe it's that feeling that she is like a sister to Jonah. I am not sure, but watching them interact is so precious.

On Sunday morning, Karen shared with David that Wavey was talking about Zoe (something that isn't uncommon in their home) and she said that she was sad that Zoe had to die. Karen told Wavey that we had pictures of Zoe at our house and asked her if she wanted to see them sometime. Wavey said that she would like that. So on Sunday evening, we arranged for Tim, Karen, Wavey and Palmer to come over for a visit. Of course the kids played for a while and took turns on the drums (even Tim gave it a shot) but for about 20 minutes (which is quite a while for two 3 year olds), David and Tim looked through Zoe's photo album with Jonah and Waverley while David shared her story in a way that they could understand. Karen and I took in the beauty of the moments from the other side of the room. It was definitely an experience that I will remember and I kind of think they might remember it as well.

Fun in the Snow...

I have to admit that when the sun was finally shining on Tuesday and the snow was beginning to melt, I felt Spring in the atmosphere and it made me happy. I love seeing the snow fall and I really love being snowed in with my family. I am not a fan of being cold and I am really not a fan of playing in the snow. However, playing in the snow goes along with being a kid and I am sure that it goes along even more with being a boy. So, I am ALWAYS so grateful when people want to take my Jonah out to play in the snow. David has done it a few times. My friend, Sandy, has done it. And on Saturday, Al and Karen invited Jonah over to play in the snow with his cousins, Megan and Sydney. I was certain he would have fun and that he would be well taken care of. Megan and Sydney adore Jonah and both like to "mother" him (even though Megan is only 9 months older than Jonah). Jonah pretty much just sits back and lets them take care of him. It may be that it's a little overwhelming to him, but I must say that it is pretty cute to watch. So, on Saturday, Jonah built his first snowman with Memaw Wenger, Buckaw Smith, Megan and Sydney. When I came to pick him up, Jonah was looking warm and cozy in memaw and buckaw's kitchen where he was scarfing down memaw's freshly baked cinnamon bread. He wasn't sure if he was more excited about the break or more excited to show me his snowman. He showed me the snowman and quickly went back to his cinnamon bread. I guess that's a boy...you work hard...you eat hard.

Seriously Judah?!

On at least an every other day basis, I find myself saying those words out loud...SERIOUSLY Judah? Usually followed by another, SERIOUSLY?! That kid...he is adorable, incredibly cuddly, loving, energetic, and daring. Yesterday, David described him as 'fearless' and I would have to agree. Unless I am constantly on Judah's heels (which is nearly impossible), he finds something new and exciting to occupy him. He is quite self-sufficient. I guess I should be grateful for that? He has learned to open the cabinets and get out the Cheerios when he needs a snack. He crawls into the fridge and finds his way to a drink or whatever else looks interesting. If he sees something that looks good on top of the table, he quickly climbs up to get it. The other night, I had just told Jonah that after he brushed his teeth, he could get a drink of water from the kitchen. Shortly after that, I heard the crunching of David's plastic water bottle in the kitchen. David got there before I did and told me that I needed to come quickly to see what Judah was up to. There in the kitchen, Judah was standing in the second drawer up from the floor helping himself to a drink of water (just as I had directed Jonah to do). Self-sufficient...that's fine. Fearless... I'm not so sure I like that. It doesn't help that Judah is not the most graceful of kids. Though he has been walking for nearly 4 months, some days he falls so many times that you would think he was just learning to take his first steps. He regularly has bruises on his head and last week he even a nice bloody lip. He just keeps going though...self-sufficient and determined. I am thinking that one of these days that combo will play itself out well? Maybe?