Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day - Spring Break edition :)

"5 years. 365 days. 1825 happy moments captured."

  
Lots and lots of happy this Spring Break week.  Right now, I'm typing this little diddy barefoot on my driveway, iced caramel macchiato next to a bucket of sidewalk chalk, with Cruz out like a light in his carseat in the car.  No worries, as the doors of the car are indeed open and Cruz is hanging on to the soccer ball he just scored at Target.  Starbucks for mom, a soccer ball for Cruz.  I'm loving this weather, the baby blankets on the clothesline, and the iced tea brewing by the deck.  Spring has officially arrived and life is good.    

Saturday: Two and a half hours at Jordan Creek, BY MYSELF!  Beau had an awards reception in Des Moines last weekend, so we were able to enjoy a night for the two of us while Cruz stayed at Grandma and Poppa's.  While the food, the drinks, and the chance to dress up were a major plus, the chance to shop without a stroller was an added bonus (and did I mention the Gap welcomed me with a 40% sale?!)

Sunday: A clean pantry (the finished product, definitely NOT Cruz dumping an entire container of Quaker Oats on the floor)

Monday: an accomplished home-cooked meal, the table set, and a contented toddler’s arms wrapped around his mommy’s legs.  There's nothing that says accomplishment more than a home-cooked meal on the table before Dad even walks through the door!
 

Tuesday: watching Cruz go down the slide for the first time.  And then again, and again, and again :)
 

Wednesday: what’s not to love about this day? Stuffed Iowa toast at Newton’s Café, a late morning excursion to the park, some picnic essentials at Sweet Basil Market, some barefoot cuddling on a favorite quilt, an abandoned car and a long walk home, a sleepy baby in a stroller, and grilled pork kabobs on the grill.
 

Thursday: an afternoon in the backyard, just me and Cruz.  Bubbles and blueberries, snuggles and chases.
 

 

Friday:  Not a thing on the agenda except a trip to Target, a Starbucks coffee, and an afternoon of play.

"It is a happy talent to know how to play."

-Emerson

Cruz meets toad.

Feel free to play along and link to your own 'Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day.' Happy Friday!

Spring Fever

Every year, Mother Nature decides to reward teachers and students with a beautiful and unexpectedly warm weather day sometime during the week of Spring Break.  A blue sky, plenty of sunshine, and above average temperatures to invite us outdoors and get us that much more excited for summertime. 

And this year, well, she was out to impress.

This Spring Break week has not only provided blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and above average temps., but a week of record breaking temps.  Shorts, t-shirts, walk-around-barefoot-turn-the-furnace-off-and-sleep-with-the-windows-open temps.  I don't remember a March this warm for this many days in a row, and it's starting to feel like June instead of March.

I'm not sure what I'm enjoying more --- the weather, or the week away from the toxicity of school right now.  I didn't even realize the extent of how much of my life was consumed by the uncertainty of my job status until I had a chance to step away from the environment for a week.  It's truly been a vacation --- a chance to let it all go for a week and focus on my family, my house, and the simplicity of everyday life.

It seems we've went non-stop this week, yet, we've filled our days with the 'non-stop' that leaves you replenished and relaxed instead of stressed and spent.  My Spring Break has included afternoons in the sun with one happy boy, that is, until a motorcycle or neighbor's yellow lab comes barreling down our street (insert frightened shriek and hang-on-for-dear-life-excuse-to-cuddle-moment).  My Spring Break has included lazy mornings in pajamas, blue plastic playground slides, vinegar solution on windows, and evening baths to soak dirty feet.  My Spring Break has included easy, content, and the calm assurance that everything will be okay.  

What else has this glorious Spring Break included???

...the park!  Last year, we'd stroll by the park and I'd dream of a rough and tumbling little bruiser running through the park.  And this year, I'm sure I'll dream of a sweet little immovable baby sitting on a blanket!  Cruz loved the park, so much that we visited three different ones in three days.  Although the slide and the swings were definitely his favorite part, he also enjoyed staring in awe at the 'big kids' showing him the ropes.

I hope I never forget his reaction during our first trip.  He was so excited, so in awe, that he'd move from one thing to the next, smiling from ear to ear, and letting out this sort of low-pitched 'ah-ha-ha' as if he'd just found his own little slice of heaven.  And I tell you what --- there's nothing better than seeing your babies that happy.   

The next day, Beau couldn't resist the two of us home without him, and decided to take the entire day off to be with us.  We made sure to make good use of every minute of it.  It began with breakfast at our favorite hometown cafe, Newton's, followed by a morning for Cruz to show Dad his moves at the park.

We slid down the slide,

 

 

...tried out the swings,

...and mostly stared at all the other kids playing.

 

(maybe they'll play with me if I make my fish face...)

We picnicked.  Popped a squat at George Wyth with some cheese and crackers, fresh berries, and our favorites from local food market, Sweet Basil Market, and munched, lounged, and enjoyed each others' company.  I love picnics, and after seven years of convincing my husband that summer food is best enjoyed from a quilt in the grass, I think he's finally coming around.  I guess it doesn't hurt that he now has a little miniature to keep him entertained ;)

 

Forrest Gump, anyone?

...and we walked.  Decided on a whim to leave the car parked at George Wyth and walk the three miles back to our neighborhood.  Cruz got in his afternoon nap, Beau and I talked like old times, and my white arms basked in the afternoon sun. 

...our night ended with pork and roasted red pepper kabobs on the Big Green Egg, compliments of Stonewall Kitchen's Roasted Apple Grille Sauce. 

  
...and who could forget our post-bath walks at dusk.  The perfect night cap before bedtime.  

And last but not least, a long (and yes, I admit), overdue haircut.  By dad, on the deck, sitting on mom's lap with a bath towel draped around his cute little neck.  He did much better this time, and although I was close to tears at first, shrieking at the sight of the long locks falling to the deck floor, I got over it when I saw how handsome he looks....

The 'before' shot...

And the 'after'...I can't believe how grown up he looks!

Lots of fun coming this weekend.  Who doesn't love some March Madness, St. Patty's Day, and 70 degree weather?!  

Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day

It happens every year.  One long awaited sixty-degree day in March, following months of a cold, dark, and snow-filled winter.  A day that results in the windows down, flip flops on, and the smells of a barbecued dinner permeating throughout the neighborhood.  The sidewalks come alive as people break out of hibernation, and even the daylight itself decides to play a little longer.  Soon, I will greet Spring Break with a list of Spring essentials - a day to clean windows, an afternoon of baking, and daily walks with a little man who is thrilled to have new territory to roam.  

Cruz LOVES it outside.  Loves as in kicks and screams and throws a real fit when we finally drag him in.  I get so excited when I think about this summer, and have a feeling our home will exist in our backyard.  It's amazing to think that last summer, Cruz was barely crawling, and this year, he's ready for slides, sand, and sun.  Beau and I have already discussed fencing in the rest of our backyard and creating a little haven for Cruz to run free all summer long.  

Last night, we grilled pork chops and asparagus, sat on our deck, and took Cruz on a walk. 

Things started well...

 

And quickly changed when Cruz decided he'd rather pull his little red wagon than ride in it. 

 

   

Needless to say, it took us awhile to get home even though we barely made it off our street!

It's been another wild week with lots of ups and downs, however, it's been therapeutic to pick out the small but important little things sprinkled throughout each day...

Friday: a stress-free, easy, and relaxing dinner at Soho. Love the atmosphere and the sweet potato fries, the beautiful oak woodwork and the chocolate chip cookies. 

Saturday: definitely all the family time with the Jorgensen crew. Quiet time with Cruz in Gabe and Gina’s Love Sack, and falling asleep in their cozy, lake-view abode. 

Sunday: a new baby nephew to snuggle and love...Hayes Warren Henrichs was born just before 7 a.m., which gave us something to do on our lazy Sunday afternoon.  And it turns out, baby Hayes decided to take advantage of his lazy Sunday, too.  What a tired little guy!

Monday: After a crummy day, holding a swaddled baby is the best medicine. 

Tuesday: My husband, who realizes that flowers 'just because' mean far more than flowers for an occasion.  And if you've ever received flowers from Pro Flowers, you're in for a real treat.  Pro Flowers arrive in a box, and requires that you assemble your bouquet yourself.  This always makes for quite the scene when someone from the front office delivers a giant, awkward shaped box during the middle of class.  These flowers, unfortunately, looked half dead by the time I opened the box.  I will spare you the details of my audience's response, and instead share the email Beau sent Pro Flowers...

"Dear Pro Flowers,

My wife found out her school is closing two weeks ago, and when she opened up these flowers in front of her high school students, the only response she received was, 'well, it's the thought that counts.'  

Please do better.

Beau Jorgensen"

It turns out, the flowers shaped up quite nicely after being stuck in the box for too long.  And now, I have two vases of beautiful lilies ;)

  
Wednesday: Playing the laundry basket game with Cruz.  First, put Cruz in a laundry basket.  Next, fill the laundry basket with duplos.  Next, take turns throwing duplo after duplo back and forth.  Cue, incredibly adorable laughter from our easy-to-entertain little man. 

Thursday: the army of purple in honor of Becky, my friend and colleague, who is gearing up to slay the Jabberwocky of breast cancer.  Every one knows her favorite color is purple, so purple pixie dust is flying through the College of Ed. today.  She's an amazing person and the army of faculty support behind her is a testament to her awesomeness. 

Friday: Savoring not only TGIF, but TGIF BEFORE SPRING BREAK!  The sun is shining, Spring Break is approaching, and there's a 70 degree day in the forecast.  Can't complain about that!