A Picnic in the Buttercups.

Basically since we moved here, our friends have told us that we MUST go to see the National Arboretum.  We've been waiting several months for just the right weather and today was it!  With Jordan home, we packed up a picnic lunch and met up with our neighbor friends, Erik, Margaret and Corinne.

It was warm and sunny and the azaleas, dogwoods and cherry blossoms were out in full bloom.  We sat in a field of buttercups and ate a long, leisurely picnic while basking in the warm spring sun.  The best part about picnics with kiddlets is that they don't have to sit in a highchair, they can peck away at all the delicious goodies and then run around picking buttercups or chasing a ball.  It is quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in the sun with Gabriel.  He usually covers himself in watermelon juice (as evidenced by his pants today) and blackberries, hardly touches anything else, including crackers and cheese, but that's ok.  Corinne will always take care of "wsh, wsh, wsh" -ing everything and cleaning everyone up, especially when Gabriel makes a mess.  "Oh oh."  (A new favorite word).  I'd say the two make a fine pair.

Not only did we all get to spend time together exploring the Arboretum, sniffing all sorts of fragrant flowers and feasting on our goodies, but the dads were finally able to chat and hang out too.  And isn't there just something special about watching your husband play with your little one?  Hold their hand?  Or push the stroller?  To see them laugh and giggle and be silly with the man in your life?  Yay for husband/daddy being home!

You might also like:

• Picnic with the president.
• Cherry Blossoms on Marble and a Little Picnic. 
• Picnic for a Sunset. 

Big Play-dates and a Recipe (or Four).

As I pack up and put the finishing touches on our move, I cannot actually believe we are leaving this place and our little friends.  I thought I would take the time to post a few pictures from some of our weekly playdates.  And upon request, a few recipes from some of the cookies we shared.

Play-dates are a staple in the mama world, right up there with the morning coffee and nap times that allow us to actually get stuff done and/or sit for a minute.  We need them.  Sure, we have each other over so our kids can play together, even if they don't actually "play together" yet.  We want to "socialize" them, allow them to play with new toys, poke at each other and learn about sharing.  But mostly, the best part of these times is the precious two-hour mama time that we just can't live without.  Well that's how I feel!

Since moving to the area, immediately four mamas warmly welcomed me to the neighborhood and upon finding our babies at similar ages, playdates began.  I was relieved!  When it's cold out or rainy, sure there was the library, or indoor playgrounds, baby gyms or baby classes, but who wants to pay money to go to these windowless rooms full of germs from kids you don't even know?  We were lucky enough to be able to get together with the kids in the neighborhood, (at least now I know where Gabriel got his cold from or who he gave it to!)

But sometimes it's a challenge to get together, coordinating schedules--daycare, preschool, nap times, appointments, mealtimes, after school pick-ups. I think we all made it to one play-date altogether only once!  And sometimes the play dates go sideways--when all the babies start crying, they are tired, hungry, or they find a roll of toilet paper, or they poke each others' eyes, pull their hair, steal toys (you know, the innumerable circumstances that can happen with toddlers) and the play dates have to end early.  So many things can get in the way.  Luckily, we all live so close here that we can often pop over even for a few minutes and a crib is never far away in case of an emergency nap. 

The best part about this time is that we mamas get to talk to other mamas.  We problem-solve, share stories, learn a lot about each other and from each other.  We talk about politics and world-views, the healthcare system, the education system and our jobs (although rarely) and sometimes we just listen and sympathize.  Being a mama can be hard sometimes and occasionally that is just all we need--a little affirmation, a listening ear and sometimes a little advice.  That's what mamas are here for: to look after each other, to support one another.

Ladies, my dear friends, I have learned a lot from you.  I look forward to your want email updates/facebook updates with pictures.  Will miss your company and your little babes!   BUT, looking forward to some of these back in Squamish, especially knowing there will be a few new babies to add to the mix!

*Since my mama friends asked, here are some of my favorite cookie recipes, all of which you have sampled!

• Double Chocolate and Espresso Cookies 
• Cranberry and Chocolate Chunk Cookies 
• Chocolate Hazelnut Drop Cookies 
• Chocolate Salty Oat Cookies

You might also like:

• Just a little ice cream date. No Biggie.
• Cherry Blossoms on Marble and a Little Picnic.
• It's a date with the Butterflies.
• Girls' Night Out.

Takoma Park and the National Cathedral.

A few weekends ago, before we really started transitioning to new work, Jordan took us up to his stomping grounds--where he has been working this year and we stopped into his favorite little bistro, Takoma Bistro which is known for its French Onion soup, and beautiful little brunches.  We really liked Takoma Park, a sort of "up and coming" neighborhood (except it's actually up and coming, not just misnomer for not really that nice, but maybe someday).  There aren't really a lot of little shops there, just a few.  While we were there, they had an Art Walk going on in some of their little shops, so it was neat to see what some of the local artists have been doing.

And then later in the afternoon, we visited the very large neo-gothic style National Cathedral and all of its various crypts and underground nooks.  They have some really interesting stained glass and softly painted tapestries.  For some reason, we both just love spending time in these places--so quiet (when Gabriel isn't testing its acoustics), reflective and aesthetically beautiful. 

While we were in Bath last year, we must have visited just about every cathedral on the southern part of England.  I wrote a little blog about our experience then and decided to look back on it today.  Will "reblog" some of those memories. 

You might also like:

• A Little Artist Inspiration from the National Gallery of Art. 
• Dear President Washington, We want to Move In. 
• The Capitol.

The Prettiest Courtyard in Town.

Just have to share a few photos from the other day.  We were just on our way out for a little walk and I just couldn't help myself.  The dappled sunlight through the heavily laden cherry blossom trees, Gabriel padding around on the sidewalk walking his doggie in his little summer sandals (why is that baby shoes are the cutest of all?!?!), and stopping to bend down and sniff the tulips (Sniff... ahhhh... and then a big grin).  It was all just too much!

Gabriel loves to walk his doggie, but sometimes Abe gets a little too excited.  We've narrowly avoided Abe dragging Gabriel across the concrete... So he is learning to just let go.

Stopping and having a sniff.  

Our neighbor, Magaly saw us outside and offered to snap some great photos of us.  Thank you Magaly!

I'm absolutely sure that we have the prettiest courtyard in the whole village--thanks to Jack, our neighbor who has planted some beautiful tulips.  Sometimes when I am making dinner or in the kitchen, I just have to stop and look at the window at those tulips.  Something about the way the light hits them at different times of day.  I've caught Gabriel doing the same... just looking out the window at them.  Thank you Jack!  We, and all of the other gaggle of kiddlets are loving the courtyard this spring!

You might also like:

• Just a little ice cream. No Biggie. 
• Cherry Blossoms, Courtyard Parties and Harmonicas. 
• First Signs of Spring.