Spring is here...maybe!

OK, the sun has come out of hiding and we have tried to make the most of it. The past couple days we went to the park, the Seattle Center, the UW arboretum and yesterday went on a walk, Caleb and Henry went on a bike ride, danced in the rain, etc. (This beautiful tree is at the arboretum--very cool picture by Caleb.)
Henry is really not one for posing for pictures--every time I try to take his picture he usually turns around, runs away, or covers his face, so this was a lucky shot! (In contrast to Fern...every time the camera is out she flashes her smile and poses...)
Fern and Caleb running away from the International Fountain before the water started back again. Henry wasn't too excited with the tradition of touching the silver on the fountain in between songs/waterdisplays--he was content to sit and watch the people getting wet.
Two little kids sitting still in the midst of lots of flowers and things to explore? We were lucky to have them both looking at the camera at the same moment!
We went on an exploring drive down a dirt road near the Wild Horse Monument on the Columbia River. Turns out that it just takes you up to the top. The view was cool, but the drive was a little tippy for my taste. (I am constantly worried of the truck falling off the side of the mountain and rolling down...I'm told that it takes a lot more to overturn a vehicle...but try to explain that to my gut...)
My little helpers... I like having a garden and starting my seeds, but I think I'm learning patience more from letting the kids help in the process than from waiting for seeds to sprout...

Grandma Nelson, Fern and cousin Carli snuggling on the back porch

I'm hoping for more sunshine and beautiful springtime weather this week. I find that I am so much more productive and happy after experiencing the warmth of the sun. Yesterday I organized/cleaned out my bathroom, vacuumed the whole house, did laundry and folded and put it away, organized the computer desk, cleaned all the dishes and put them away, took care of the paper party in the kitchen (bills, coupons, to-do lists that congregate),.....and felt great.

Off to read books with Henry. (I've been trying to do this while he is watching/commenting on lava movies on youtube on the other side of the screen..needless to say, I'm not doing so well on the multi-tasking as well as managing the conflict of not being as attentive as I need to be & feeling guilt for not doing either thing well...so that's it for today!)