It is officially spring around here. Mark and Adrian were outside cleaning up the yard while the girls worked inside. Mark let us know that they found the first snake of the year in our back yard. Everyone went outside to see it, and then the boys tried to catch it. It was a very aggressive garter snake, so they decided to leave it alone.
Author: Joyce
Growing Children
Friday was a beautiful day to be outside. We spent a few hours at the park before coming home to play outside some more.
Fog
 I love foggy mornings. The neighborhood looks so different, almost as if I am somewhere else.
Memories
A long time ago, I had a big brother who was allowed to ride his bike to many places I was not allowed to ride to. Occasionally, he let me ride on the cross bar and we would go to Sam and Ellies, a candy store to far away for me to go to by myself. I would have $.25 to buy treats with. I could spend $.15 on candy, and $.10 on pretzel rods or other treats. Often we would bring home an ice cube chocolate for Momma, one of her favorite candies.
Sometimes, Joe would even take me to Burger Chef and treat me to something special.
 Fries and tarter sauce are still one of my favorite treats, though I am not sure if that is Joe’s fault or Mom’s.
Today was a beautiful day for riding bikes. I let the girls ride up and down the road for awhile. Then we put Megan on the crossbars, just to see if she would enjoy it. Of course, she thought it was wonderful.
When Mark got home from science class, Audrey persuaded him to take her for a spin. They did not go very far, but they had a lot of fun. I sort of wish that there was a nearby store that they could ride to and enjoy their own sibling dates.
Puddle
Mark and Andrea heading to work after the rain.
Around the Corner
Guess what is just around the corner!
Ice
We spent the afternoon at the park. The sun was out and it was cold, but it was a good afternoon to be outside. While listening to the kids playing on the swings, I walked down to the water. I was surprised how much ice there still was.
Hearing some cracking, I thought some animal was walking in the cattails. It took awhile before I realized that I was hearing the ice cracking and breaking up! It sounded similar, but different, to when you walk on ice.
Calling the kids to meet me, I asked them what was making the noise. Mark was the first to understand what he was hearing.
We played around awhile, experimenting with throwing rocks, testing how thick the ice was and trying to break it without getting wet. We laughed at ducks as they swam through the open spots and then broke the ice trying to climb out. We explored the different heights of where ice was and admired the patterns they made.
All to soon, someone got cold, and we walked back to the car. We walked slowly, enjoying the cooler weather and breaking as much ice as we could find on the road. It was a wonderful afternoon!
Found
The first flowers of spring!
Today’s Smile
Audrey is not feeling well today.  Megan decided that Audrey needed a get well card. She cut out a heart with Andrea’s help and then drew a “girl, it not a boy” for Audrey. At lunch time, she prayed, “thank you for making Audrey better later.” Audrey was given the card and then it disappeared. She found it later, taped on her bedroom door at Megan level.
Even More Perfect Weather
I am amazed at how different frozen bubbles look each time I take pictures of them.