Monday Listicles: Ten things about spring

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When I was in sixth grade in Miss Knerr's classroom, my friend Colleen and I won first place in a poetry recitation contest, and we recited a fun poem about spring. It took me a bit of Internet research to find it, but I finally did. We alternated saying each line--and we rocked the poem.  I love spring!

“Spring” by Karla Kuskin

I’m shouting
I’m singing
I’m swinging through trees
I’m winging skyhigh
With the buzzing black bees.
I’m the sun
I’m the moon
I’m the dew on the rose.
I’m a rabbit
Whose habit
Is twitching his nose.
I’m lively
I’m lovely
I’m kicking my heels.
I’m crying “Come Dance”
To the fresh water eels.
I’m racing through meadows
Without any coat
I’m a gamboling lamb
I’m a light leaping goat
I’m a bud
I’m a bloom
I’m a dove on the wing.
I’m running on rooftops
And welcoming spring!

This week's topic: Ten things spring

Celebrating the big 5-0
 at the Old Spaghetti Factory

1. Family birthdays: My husband's is in March (this year was the big 5-0!), and middle son Kieran's, my dad's, and my mother-in-law's are coming up in April. 

One Easter--I must have been
around 10 (in our new dresses)

2. Lent and Easter: Growing up as a Lutheran, we have always celebrated Lent and Easter. My mom used to make me a new dress and I'd get new shoes for Easter every year. My boys are not quite so enamored of dressing up for Easter, so that tradition has pretty much died out! I'm lucky if I can get them to dress up slightly.

Last year with Mom and Nadine, Mother's Day

3. Mother's Day:

My favorite thing about Mother's Day weekend is spending quality time with my mom and sister, which we try to squeeze in over the weekend! Living with all these men, I greatly value my estrogen-charged moments!

Kieran (3) and Chris in 2006 (10) at the market

4. Farmers market:

It's that time of the year! Our family loves going to the Portland Farmers Market in the Portland State University area on Saturday mornings in spring, summer, and fall. The market opened last weekend, but we haven't had a chance to go yet.

Visiting our friends in Boise last year

5. Spring break:

Spring break is this week for our kids, and for the first time in years, we have nothing planned. I am saving up my vacation time for my next surgery in June and also for the summer, plus my mother-in-law is visiting from the UK. Kieran is much distressed that we are not going anywhere! Last year we went to Boise, Idaho, and in previous years we've gone to the beach, Seattle, and Victoria BC. 

6. Blossoms!

After I mentioned my love for daphne and my poor-performing daphne plant on the smelly listicles a few weeks ago, I happened to notice that my daphne plant was heavily flowering this year! I picked a few sprigs and put them around the house...and they fill the whole room with their fragrance. I need to go pick a few more to replenish the vases. Love that smell!

7. Rain:

It can't be helped...if we want green, we have to put up with a little rain. Fortunately, it also produces one of my favorite smells! I don't mind the rain too much (usually), because it makes me appreciate the sun more when it arrives! And as we all know, we need rain for a rainbow.

At "Into the Woods" with friends Myla and Ari,
 this spring break they are visiting Portland!

8. More theater!

Last year at music camp

First our oldest son performed in Jesuit's spring musical, "Curtains" (or technically an end-of-winter musical), on Mike's birthday we went to see "The Whipping Man," last night I took the kids to see "Into the Woods" at Northwest Children's Theater, and next up will be Kieran performing in Northwest Children's Theater's Kids Company Northwest show, "Hillbilly Heaven." The show will be on the mainstage on his actual birthday, and he's excited about that...he'll be doing his favorite things (acting/singing/dancing) on his birthday, with his friends there to watch.

9. Music camp:

For the past few years (with one exception when it coincided with Easter), I've been going to Northwest Women's Music Celebration with my mom and friend Lois at the end of April...and this year is no exception! Can't wait!

Vacationing together at the beach in summer 2011

10. Vacation planning:

We are trying to plan a vacation for August with my sister and her family...we've been thinking about Kauai but are being scared off by the exorbitant airfare (for five!!) and wondering if we can find a less-expensive option...California? It's much harder to justify Hawaiian trips while we are paying an arm and a leg for private high school tuition. At any rate, as much as planning vacations can be stressful, I do like having something to look forward to. After I'm mostly done with the planning, I can spend the next few months anticipating my vacation...which is second best to actually taking it!! Wherever we end up going, I know all six boys will have a good time together!

Check out the other blogs posted on Monday Listicles for more things spring!