Back Pack

Our backpacks are a big deal these days.  When Will came along, one of my mom's sweet friends, Mrs. Cope, sent all three boys brown gingham backpacks with their names sewn across the back.  So cute.  The boys like to put their Sandra Boyntons in them and wear them around the living room.

BTW, Jack's first day of school is almost here.  He will be riding the bus soon, backpack in tow.  Baby Jack is growing up!  We are excited about this!  And a little sentimental.

Here is one of Rowan, as Galen put it, "The perfect mix of big boy and our sweet Row-baby."

BTW, notice the choice board at the bottom of the picture.  For the first time, a couple of days ago, Jack brought the board to me, totally on his own initiative, and requested a toy.  Let me remember a couple of things about this - I have not been 100% consistent in using this board, although I have used it more in the past few months since organizing the toys into separate boxes.  Also, I want to remember that it took a few months to work for Jack.  So, future self, don't get discouraged when AAC strategies don't immediately work.  Sometimes it just takes (imperfect) repetition and time.

Springing in at Bee and Doc's

My cousin's wedding was the 2nd weekend in March (same anniversary weekend as ours!), so B and Doc helped us fly down to attend the festivities.  Galen needed to get back to Boston the following Monday, but I stayed in Jackson with the boys for two whole weeks. 

The boys in the car on the way down to the Providence airport.

We left Boston in several feet of snow, and came down south to 70 degrees.  It was sublime.  We spent tons of time outside, becoming familiar with the dogs, Spy and Maden; riding in the ranger (aka "danger"); hunting easter eggs, and playing at the park.

We were a little hesitant of the dogs at first, but they were pretty cool.

 The park! 70 degrees!

We took a trip over to Birmingham to give my sister a surprise baby "sprinkle" (aka, a light baby shower) in light of Ellie's upcoming birth on May 1.  My sister Ellen planned it beautifully, and pulled it off without a hitch.  I got to see Melissa's newly renovated house, which is absolutely gorgeous.  If I was Melissa, I don't think I'd ever want to move. 

I wish I could say I got a photo of her renovations or the sprinkle, but I didn't think of it at the time :(  However, I got a shot of us returning to Mississippi, which was really nice.

We took the boys to Primos just before returning home to Boston.  We picked up some giant gingerbread men for us as well.  Yum!

The boys at Primos (notice the delicious, untouched green beans.  <Sigh>)

I took a few photos of my dad's garden also, to remember how it is done by someone who knows what he is doing.

When we arrived in Mississippi, the trees were bare.  By the time we left, the new green leaves were showing and even some early blooms were appearing on the wisteria and azalea plants.  Favorites!  It was a wonderful visit.