in like a lion, out like a lamb

So, last Monday, the 2nd of March, we had a snowstorm that blanketed us in white and got Jup a much appreciated snow day. We frolicked outside and sledded a couple of days later. I contemplated Miranda's snow pants thinking that it will probably be the last time she wears them and next year she can wear the pair that is too small on Jove and causes frozen ankle-itis.

Fast forward five days and it was a balmy 65 degrees with sunshine and warm breezes. Mud abounds and small flowers are showing themselves. We spent the day at the Botanical Garden with our good friends hunting for signs of Spring. We saw a few patches of crocus and many had bees on them from a nearby nest in a tree hollow. The Japanese Witch Hazel was in full bloom with its small chartreuse flowers (pictured above). The American variety usually blooms earlier in the winter. We had a serendipitous encounter with Dino (i.e. the bird whisperer) who gets black-capped chickadees to feed on seeds and nuts out of his hand. He taught Jove and his friend how to do it and both were successful. I was too embarrassed to ask for some nuts for me to try it. We followed a red-tailed hawk as it flew from branch to branch in the forest along the path. It felt wondrous to be outside and see so much life.
The Spring equinox is March 20th; also the day Miranda will be two years old. Such an exciting time... to be continued