Spring wasn't easy. COVID hit. March Madness was taken away. Spring soccer was ripped out of the boys' hands. 7v7 football was cancelled. We missed our families, my job stress increased ten-fold, every day was a battle between work and home schooling, and life in general just felt heavy and uncertain.
But we survived it. And though every single day still feels uncertain and the roller coaster of emotions still hits me hard every single day, all I have to do is look back at these pictures of that time, and I am reminded that there's still much to be thankful for.
A look back at our March and April... mostly in pictures. I'm amazed at how much Kaitlyn - and her hair - have grown since just a few months ago!
A Place to Play Park has become a favorite and frequent place for us to visit. Kaitlyn loves the unique swings, the slides are the perfect size for her, and the soft sandy area can entertain her all evening. Jaden gets to play basketball, Brandon loves the glider swing, and our good friends live just up the street, allowing for impromptu picnic suppers under the shelter and play dates on the playground.
Watching our backyard transform from the dead of winter to the liveliness of spring is one of my favorite things about living here. We are in our third year so all of our landscaping we did when we first moved in is really starting to take off, and the amount of birds, squirrels, chipmunks and critters that have made our yard their home makes all of us happy.
When we got restless, claustrophobic and tired of being quarantined, we escaped in simple ways. Many times all I need to do is head for the water.
Another favorite spot. A playground and basketball court overlooking our growing town's evolving skyline and flowing river. We head here often.
Luckily Kaitlyn was still able to go to daycare during the shut down, but when we'd get home, we'd always spend the late afternoon and early evening outside. Our girl CRAVED the outdoors after being cooped up all winter.
And so of course I had to buy her a playhouse.
Tie-dye has made a comeback, and I'm not mad about it.
Watching her push her dolly around our driveway the first few times was like a dream come true for me.
I spotted this mug on Etsy and had to have it. It's so me.
This was the day we trained Kaitlyn NOT to chase the mama geese.
Kaitlyn's interest in and love for baby dolls grew rapidly so we've been stocking up on all the baby essentials. ;) I found this doll crib that matched her room so beautifully, and Kaitlyn was drawn to it immediately. Her little mama instincts kicked in, and it's so sweet to watch her play with her babies.
We discovered a new favorite lookout spot within walking distance from our house, and the boys love to ride their bikes there and look for critters. This also is where we released Jaden's beloved "Mr. Salamander" that he kept housed and fed in his room for almost a year!
Her first pair of Minnie Mouse sunglasses from Disney World held up pretty well, and she wore them beautifully. Until she eventually stepped on them. ;)
Continuing to look up. Always looking up.
