february magic

Oh St. Louis, you're such a tease.  For some reason, each February when we're all getting quite tired of winter - March is in sight! - and we're really itching for some outdoor fun, St. Louis gifts us a  sunny and 65 day.  We got two this year actually - they landed on Saturday and Sunday and made for an all-around magical weekend.  Unfortunately, there's nothing promising in general about this weather.  The high on Thursday is 20 degrees and one year this happened we got two feet of snow in March so......no high hopes.  But being reminded of what it feels like to be warm outside, sun shining on your head and your baby's head and playing baseball in the park.....it feels so good.  So here are a few pics (both outdoor and not) of our magical February weekend.

Okay, let's start with a good one: 

I can't even remember what she was so excited about in this photo but apparently it had something to do with wanting to remove her Wilco onesie.



Darrell's level of excitement at her newfound ability to sit on his shoulders is kind of ridiculously adorable.




She is easily his biggest fan.  She basically tries to climb onto the guitar every time he starts playing.  It's heart-breakingly cute.





Play has become much more of a *thing* now than ever before.  Playing, it is serious business.  We usually have no less than a dozen blocks, 2 stuffed animals, a light up counting toy and an exersaucer strewn about our living room, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  (But please, PLEASE for the love of God Fisher Price; improve your electronic singing toys a bit?)  I cannot listen to "the cow and the triangle" one more time.  Did you want to hear the lyrics?  Don't worry, I have them memorized.

"The cow and the triangle, want to sing for you.  Moo moo moo moo, the cow and the triangle!!!!!" (Sing that last "triangle" with much fanfare.  Those exclamation points were not superfluous.)





Still having excellent success with solid food IF AND ONLY if it comes in a pouch.  Apparently food in pouches tastes better?  Who knows, but they are, if anything the least messy way to feed a baby (outside of breastfeeding, which is magically tidy.)





We're still only napping in the wrap or sling and I'm starting to wonder if this is something I should try to fix......do 4 year olds take naps?  Will I be toting a napping 4 year old around on my back?

Let me know if you think this is an actual concern....



Saturday, we decided to do a Mardi Gras 5k (Mardi Gras is a BIG St. Louis thing.)  It wasn't very serious, there was day drinking of mimosas involved, so I decided to walk it with Claire.  Big mistake.  HUGE.  It hurt to walk the entire rest of the day - 18 lbs of baby on your back for 3 miles is a much bigger strain than I thought it would be!

Speaking of mimosas:



It was Lisa's birthday, so we decided to celebrate with a 3 hour brunch.



Let's end with this incredibly natural picture of all of us laughing on the patio of the restaurant!

So tell me, did any of you get a freak spring weekend?  Anyone else successfully drink champagne in the morning both Saturday and Sunday?  Tell me something fun so that I can forget it's Monday!