The Great Outdoors

**Disclaimer - This was written awhile ago and I forgot to post it**

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ohio weather, you might be surprised to know that we actually get more rain than Seattle, particularly in the spring.  This year it has barely rained at all and we have had 5 record highs already this month.  The people on the news are calling it "El Nino", Al Gore may be calling it global warming, but I am calling it FABULOUS!  Mommy says this is one of the rare times in a decade that it's good to live in Columbus.  We had a horrible winter and she's pretty sure we're going to have a scorching summer so we're enjoying the warm days and cool nights while we can.  In fact, I've spent the last 4 days outside soaking up the sun.

On Saturday Daddy left early to head up to dreaded Ann Arbor to watch Michigan's spring game.  At first I thought that Daddy went to work, but Mommy explained to me (multiple times) that he was out with his friends and wouldn't be home until very late.  But she told me that we were going to have fun too because we were invited to Caden's 1st birthday party.  Caden is the son of my mommy's college roommate/friend, Marti.  I have been to his house lots of times and was very excited to go.  So after breakfast and a bath, Mommy, Seren, and I headed to the toy store to pick out a birthday gift for Caden.  Now, I know I was supposed to be looking for boy gifts for my friend, but there were so many things at the store that I wanted.  I kept trying to get Mommy to buy something for me but she just kept asking me if I saw anything for Caden.  She never gives in!  It's times like these that I wish Daddy was with me.  All I have to do is stare at him with my big brown eyes and he does whatever I want!

Anyway, I finally managed to find a puzzle that looked like fun.  It had planes, trains and cars on it that make noise when you put the right piece in the right place.  Mommy found a Mr. Potato Head dressed in a Bengals uniform.  It said it was for children 2 years and older but Mommy figured Ryan (Caden's dad) could play with it until Caden is old enough to have it.  Then we were off to the party!

When we got there, Andre (their doggy) gave me lots of puppy kisses.  Mommy was happy b/c I used to freak out when dogs tried to lick me but now, they don't seem to bother me.  There were lots of yummy snacks to eat and Caden had a bunch of fun toys to play with.  I was riding on his motorcycle when I drove right over a cup, spilling soda all over the floor.  Sorry Marti and Ryan!!  Then we watched Caden open birthday presents and attack his little cake.  I've never seen anyone eat so much cake in my whole life!  I'm pretty sure he liked it a lot.  After that, we had to leave.  I wanted to stay but it was way past Seren's naptime and she was very grumpy.  Surprisingly, she didn't fall asleep in the car and I did!

On Sunday I helped Mommy and Daddy do lots of yard work.  They planted flowers, pulled weeds, and put down new mulch.  They also fenced in a little area around the mailbox with flowers so it looks very pretty now.  Mommy was hoping to fertilize the yard and mow too but the other stuff took so long, she's going to make Daddy do it next weekend.  Plus, it was kind of chilly on Sunday and my cheeks were pretty red from being in the wind all day. 

The last two days have been much warmer.  Mommy, Seren, and I have gone on many, many walks.  I've been to the park twice, ridden around the neighborhood on my tricycle, played soccer, colored the driveway with chalk, blown millions of bubbles, and met a few new neighborhood friends.  It was so warm today that I even rode my tricycle through the sprinkler.  I didn't get too wet, just slightly damp!  I also helped Mommy water the flowers and rake the grass.  Our neighbor gave her some tips when she was complaining about our lawn.  I guess raking is supposed to help but when I raked, nothing would happen.  Mommy managed to get piles of dead grass together though.  She is good.

Pretty soon it will be time to plant tomatoes again.  I helped last year and Daddy said I could help again this year.  Mommy also bought some basil to plant and we're thinking about starting a very small garden.  It's hard in our yard though since we don't have any backyard neighbors...the wild animals always come and eat our garden plants!  If anyone has any ideas on how to keep deer, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, and coyotes away we would really appreciate it!

I Heart the Spring

I have had a very busy spring.  After being couped up in the house all winter, I am now spending a LOT of time outside now that the weather is cooperating.  I have been to many, many different parks.  I'm getting very good at crossing rope bridges and climbing "rock" walls.  Mommy is also teaching me to swing by myself.  It's not as hard as I thought it would be.  I can also ride my tricycle very fast.  I struggled with it last spring but this spring I have riden it all over the neighborhood.  I love playing outside!

I am also learning how to cook.  One day while Mommy was outside talking to our neighbor, I helped Daddy make dinner.  I was in charge of cooking the hamburger - which I did, all by myself!  Mommy was shocked and she thought the pasta was delicious.  I also help scramble eggs, stir ingredients together, and I helped Grace make a cake from scratch.  I'm quite the little chef and a great little helper. 

Yesterday I was supposed to start ballet at the community center but Mommy got the times confused and we were an hour late!  She is not so smart.  But I will get to go next Monday and hopefully remember to blog about it.  Also, on the way to the dentist last week, Mommy ran right into a dance studio very close to us.  She had no idea it was there so we stopped in and she signed me up for dance camp over the summer.  I will be learing tap, ballet, and tumbling.  It's going to be so fun! 

Last month was Daddy's birthday so Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Sheila and my cousin Frostie came to see us.  Grandma brought all of these clothes for me to dress up in.  I've never had so much fun putting on a different outfit every 5 minutes.  Grace and I were looking very cute!  They also brought us presents.  I love when we get to see them!! 

Speaking of birthdays, today is Nana's birthday!  I am going to go out to dinner with her, then we're going back to her house to eat some cake, and then I get to spend the night.  I can't wait!  I asked if Seren was going to stay too but Mommy said she is too young.  Maybe next year we can have a slumber party.  Yesterday we went to Easton to buy her a present and I got a new swimsuit!  I picked it out all by myself.  It has stripes and cute little bows at the bottom.  Mommy said I did a good job choosing one.  I will definitely be modeling it as soon as it gets warm enough.  You know how I love to strike a pose!

I hope everyone has had a good spring like me!  I'll try to get Mommy to blog more soon.  She should since I have a lot of stuff going on this weekend.  Xoxoxo!