neatening the nest, and other nifty news

This week of Spring-like weather has had us all excitedly marching outdoors to enjoy backyard play, bike rides and walks. We've had a few sick kiddos in the house, missing one day of school mid-week for the little miss. It was nice to have a slow day reading books...and the highlight of it all was a L-O-N-G nap taken simultaneously by all little people in the house. Cami continues to draw, color, and write essays and little captioned 'story pages.' We've had a few more very sporadic piano lessons, but struggle making it a regular thing. . .since she doesn't do it on her own yet, and I'm forgetful to remind her. But I told her she could take a few guitar lessons this summer IF she learns to read music better. :) ..we'll probably end up waiting a year for that, but she's learning a little music nontheless. Her growth & independence in other areas is evident from her interest in picking out her own clothes: The Calvinator continues to push the limits with everything and is constantly trying new experiments and tricks:

Like today. We learned NOT to swing a golf club full-bore in the house with your little brother right next you. (Good thing it was just plastic.)

And Jude--tough guy that he is--continues to delight us with his talking and imitating. You never realize how often you say something like, "Let's go!" or "Go-go-go!" ..until your toddler is repeating it with perfectly matched voice inflection. He'll often join in on a stunt the big kids have come up with, and trying to repeat whatever they're saying. Here he is all alone in the backyard, waiting for someone to come along and give him a ride...of course he broke out the cheese face when he saw the mama-razzi show up with her camera:

On the home front I've been inspired by this warm weather to get things more in order. I've been working on improving my meal-planning/recipe/cookbook system and feel mostly functional there. Also have cleaned/re-organized the fridge and today hit the pantry. I have some serious deep-cleaning to do too--along with some magic.erasing (thanks to a little trigger-happy toddler armed with crayons), but I felt a more urgent need to 'pull it together' and more efficiently provide 3 homemade/healthy/tasty/fun/budget-friendly meals per day for the hungry crew.

I'm not sure why it's mushroomed out of control, but as Andy and I were contemplating the rampant grocery bill, I had a realization of HOW MUCH food a bunch of active, growing kids can go through. Like 18 lbs of bananas--yes I purchased my regular 18 lbs yesterday--and it will last us maybe a week and half ..give or take. I know, it's ridiculous--we also have a full pantry and an even fuller fridge. A nice little preview of the teenage years.

Wishing you all a happy, tasty--and cheesy--weekend. ;)