Spring is Here!

I've really struggled this past year.  Being chronically sleep deprived with a huge baby and a 3 year old that is constantly testing his limits has been unbelievably difficult.  I've been grumpy and not at all the mom I want to be.

Which is why I feel like I might be jinxing things to say that things have been pretty good around here lately.  Zachary is sleeping through the night (almost every night) in his own crib, so I've been getting better sleep than I have in two years.  I'm exercising at least a few times a week and I'm eating a little bit healthier. It is amazing how much better I feel, and how much easier it is to handle a challenging kid when I'm doing a better job of taking care of myself.  

Last weekend was absolutely beautiful, so we spent hours outside at our two favorite greenways - and so I've been inspired to find more outdoor activities for us to do.  I found everything from sculpture events and Easter activities at the local botanical garden, to farms designed for visitors to upcoming festivals all within about 30-40 minutes of my house.  And then of course we have fun things to do in our own backyard - tomorrow Finn and I are planting wildflowers on the top of our embankment.

Last weekend was hopefully a peek at the year we have ahead of us.  We had so much fun, and both boys were absolute joys to be with the rest of the day after having so much fresh air and activity.  Last year we didn't do much until the fall when we discovered our greenways, because Zachary was so difficult to take places, but now he loves being out and about - this year is going to be so fun for us all.  Unless it rains a lot. And then I've got to prepare myself for a bunch of time indoors at overly crowded kid museums.

To be honest, I'm a little worried that I'll attempt a few activities and then forget about the other ones, and we'll spend the whole spring and summer in our backyard.  Which wouldn't be awful, I'm sure we'd have a nice time.  But this is the time of my life with my kids that I've been so looking forward to, I want to make sure I get the most out of it.  So I'm putting it out here, that we're going to get out of the house most weekend days and that we're going to try to go somewhere different at least every other weekend.

I think I'm going to have to find some way to get myself organized for our weekends (as well during the week).  I've tried apps on my phone, I've tried dry erase boards...I think maybe it's time to invest in a good, old fashioned weekly calendar.

I also need to find some way to get this year's 365 project going - I've got the pictures, I just need to get them organized.  I think I'll just keep posting them here on the blog, as it was a great way to keep myself accountable and organized.  I've not been overly inspired with creative pictures just yet - maybe planning some adventures and actually posting pictures might help.