Winter Fun

We went to the Auto Show for the first time this year. I wasn't super-enthused at first, probably because I am such a car buff that I have read up on all the new models and done virtual test-drives of most of them and didn't really need to go look at them. (And if you believe that, well, then, I guess you've never met me!) But let me tell you, we had a great time! Nathan (who doesn't really remember what summer is, since it was so long ago and he wasn't talking a whole lot last summer) got to experience a sunroof up-close and personal--and he got some awesome silly bands from the friendly and family-oriented people at the Mazda booth! (Funny, I didn't feel the same way about the women in dangerous-looking boots at Ford. Guess we know who's marketing to moms and who still thinks the dads decide which car to buy!)

Rachel got to test-drive a Mini.

So did her brother.

And it was fortunate (for many reasons) that we were there on a weekday when it wasn't too crowded--great wide expanses of carpet just cry out to be danced upon!


We also had a preview of spring when we visited a very different kind of sunroof at the conservatory. Lots of spring flowers to see and smell and feel hopeful for, a preview of Nathan's curls in summer humidity, and even a few puddles to splash in! (Sidenote: we saw snowdrops yesterday! Not blooming yet, but up, above ground, and green! Many thanks to our wonderful neighbor, Margaret, for planting a beautiful garden where we always watch for the first signs of spring. (She lives a couple of blocks to the south of us, so spring gets to her house first.)

Here Rachel is diligently holding onto Jack, whose mother had told him he had to stay by Rachel and not run off. Baby-sitter in training, I think!

I love seeing these two hold hands. They really are sweet kids.