Trip to Alabama, etc.

Jason and I are getting geared up for our garden this spring. We have a very shaded yard, but Jason is working to carve out the sunniest spot next to our driveway for a pretty good-sized garden - 80 sq ft! We have started some greens, tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, etc. from seeds and this is what they looked like a week ago - now all are up and getting tall!

This week is spring break so we headed to see my parents and sister this past weekend in AL. Here is Alder on the airplane with one of his favorite toys - barn swallow. It is so fun to watch him coo and talk to his two favorite toys, this one and his stuffed mallard. No, we have not forced him to like these two bird toys. It is simply coincidence.


As usual, we had a super time and really enjoyed the warm weather. Alder specifically enjoyed having some QT with Granna and Grandad while we went for an afternoon hike with my sister. He also liked bathing in the kitchen sink....


Yes, he is the first grandSON and therefore has to deal with some pink stuff, but that's ok - he will also likely play with dolls and wear princess outfits with his cousins - all well and good.

A whole new set of toys is always a treat - my mom has kept lots of toys from when my sister was a baby. It is neat to see retro toys for a change. Yes Elizabeth, your toys are retro, even though you are only 16! Despite the enticing variety of new toys, it's often the simplest things that tend to make him happy, like the plastic string coming from the toy phone...

Oh yeah and we offered another new food - peanut butter on bread!! He has been turning his nose up at his supposed favorite spoon-fed foods lately, but really enjoyed chowing down on this today.

What a big boy! That is what I am thinking these days. I peeked in on him napping today and he was even sleeping like a big boy.