mud puddles

Not much to report, just lots of mud and bikes and puddles and play. All good stuff, though I can hardly keep up with the laundry- especially with Ari growing out of most of the pants he has. There is still a fair bit of snow around the property, so we've been taking more trips to find snow-free places to play and bike. These pictures were taken at a local bike park. Ari is less confident riding this new bike of his, as the frame is much taller and he has less control (And less "brake-power" with his feet- so I am keeping him away from the big hills!) but they mostly just want to run and play in the grass and the mud anyway.

We also took a trip to a local organic farm to visit the baby animals. I didn't get any good shots, but the boys loved meeting the baby goats and cows and seeing the terrific chicken tractors (old camper trailers that have been turned into movable chicken coops- such a great idea!) and the huge mama pig. We feel happy to support this lovely farm and the wonderful family farms this land.

I also finished my first knitted sweater a little while ago, and it has arrived at its destination- to welcome our beautiful new niece. This is a Zimmerman February baby sweater, and was maybe a bit ambitious being both my first sweater (aside from the even tinier one I made Sammy!) and my first real attempt at a lace pattern- but I had lots of fun knitting it and this pattern was fairly forgiving of my newbieness.

This is my third time attempting a Zimmerman pattern, but the first one that came out anywhere near the size I expected. I know its not Zimmerman that's the problem (she's the guru after all,) its me and my gauge troubles, but I'm glad to have a EZ success to report. And now, off to bed- there is more mud and puddles and laundry and knitting to fill my day tomorrow!