Fake Spring

We are in that weird phase in Minnesota "fondly" referred to as Fake Spring. It's where [most of] the snow melts, it stays above freezing for many days in a row, bikes and rollerblades out come out, and you are lulled into such a sense of security that you may even wash the winter gear and put boots and snow pants back in the closet to clear out the entry way. But you know ... you just know ... that winter is not over yet. Mark my words. The snow pants will be back.

Two weekends ago, as we admitted the rink was a goner, Mike got the kids' bikes down. They have been having the best time riding all over the neighborhood. Whenever they are out playing, someone is on a bike. And someone is on rollerblades. Always. It's so perfectly spring. We even went for a family bike ride this afternoon when the kids got home from school. Well, they biked. Mike and I walked. Our bikes are in the storage unit and retrieving them is high on the weekend to-do list.

Last Sunday, it was painfully clear that Q and D needed to burn off some energy. Q also really really wanted to go to a park. So Mike took them on a tour of the local elementary school playgrounds. They were gone for about two hours and had a great time. The playground at each school is quite unique, so they had a variety of structures and challenges to test out. Everyone came home happy and hungry. It's my favorite when dinner disappears off the plates! 

We are in the final weeks of hockey season. Q is still all in. Dec is still having fun, but has officially transitioned his brain to baseball season. He's signed up for the mini mites program with the local youth baseball association and he can.not.wait. His best buddy A is also playing baseball and they are hoping to be on the same team, Mike surprised him after school this week with new baseball pants, batting gloves, and a bigger glove. We've been playing a lot of catch in preparation for the season. And in my verrrry unbiased opinion, he makes the cutest little basebal player there is!

Closing thought: One year ago tomorrow, school shut down, Mike was furloughed, the hockey jamboree was canceled, and everything stopped. We Have Made It a Whole Freaking Year! I'm really glad Day 1 Mike did not know this would be a year-long commitment - as I don't think he would have come back out of the bedroom. But here we are - still standing. And that feels noteworthy.