A lot has happened since I last posted on Mother's Day weekend. I didn't mention then but my big gift for Mother's Day is a trip that I leave on tomorrow with my friend Jen. We're flying to Mesa, AZ for a hot and sunny weekend by the pool. It will be my third time away from Madeleine (second from Parker) and first real vacation without the family since having Madeleine. I've packed a novel, some sudoku, and yarn to make another hat. Blissful relaxation here I come!
Springtime fun: drawing, teaching little bro, twirling, and evidence of an artist at work
My weekend away comes in the midst of Justin working a retreat last weekend and going to a conference in NM next weekend. We haven't and won't get much time to spend together but we're trying to make the most of it by playing outside whenever it's sunny and eating ice cream when the awesome yellow Big Dipper truck (our local homemade ice cream shop) drives through the neighborhood. Here I am running home to get money last week when we saw the truck while taking Drake for a walk. The kids were cheering, "run Momma run!"
Justin and the kids indulged in scoops of white mint Oreo while my efforts were rewarded with a special scoop of Coldsmoke: a flavor that uses Kettlehouse brewery's awesome Coldsmoke beer. I know...beer ice cream? It's really good! 
The work in the basement has finally finished so we've reinhabited the space and are so grateful for having it! We're hoping to install a window or two down there to make it more inviting this summer when it gets too hot to play upstairs. Plus I'm now motivated to pick out some paint and make that space more personal.There's so much more to tell but I lack the time and energy right now to share so you'll have to stay tuned. Up next: Bono, the behemoth, and an little independent woman.
