Happy Monday, friends!  We had such a fun party weekend around here, I just wish it could keep going for another week.  Most of last week (starting Tuesday) my mom was in town.  The kids were over the moon to get some extended quality time with Nana – it’s always so nice having her here.  I had a super stressful Friday at work, so I was ready to relax and have fun by the time I got home.  We kicked off birthday party weekend with the zoo on Saturday morning: always a treat.  The kids had a grand time running around, and we got to hear the tiger roar and see the little orangutan, Redd, climbing around outside.  Too much fun!  We spent Saturday afternoon on the playgrounds and at the library, of course; Nana knows all our haunts, but it’s always fun to share them with her.  On Sunday, Nugget and I slipped out in the morning to pick up his birthday cake, then we spent midday hanging out on the back patio – I love that it’s finally nice enough to play outside for extended periods of time without shivering.  FINALLY, FINALLY, it was time to head to the party – I know Nugget would tell you it took FOREVERRRRR to get here.  He had the very best time ever at his indoor bounce house extravaganza – running around with his sweaty hair plastered to his forehead and the biggest grin on his face.  It was a little bittersweet for me – I love anything that makes him happy, but I can’t deny that he’s getting SO BIG.

Reading.  It was a fairly slow reading week.  I never get through as many books when I’m either visiting family or have them visiting me.  But between commutes and a few before-bed pages, I made it through The Joy of the Snow (finished on Monday, so before Nana mania began on Tuesday), then The Murder of Roger Ackroyd for most of the week, and Three Men on the Bummel over the weekend – finished up Sunday night right before my head hit the pillow.

Watching.  It was a very watching-heavy week for me.  My mom doesn’t have Netflix, so when she visits me she likes to get caught up on The Crown.  She’d seen the first season, but not the second season, so we found ourselves watching ten episodes in five days – that’s about two hours of TV a night, which may not seem like much, but it’s a LOT for me.  I half-jokingly said I wouldn’t be watching TV for the next five months after this week.  I’ll probably turn it on again sooner than that, but I’m very television-ed out for now.  No regrets, though!

Listening.  Same as usual – lots of podcasts.  The Sorta Awesome spring seasonal show was a lot of fun – I always love their seasonal episodes.  Especially for spring – I’m on record as admitting that it’s not my favorite season, so anything I can do to make it more fun, I’m going to try.  I loved Rebekah’s idea to get cute 3D animal umbrellas for the kiddos – I think Peanut and Nugget might find some fun little brollies in their Easter baskets this year.

Making.  Well, it was a light making week.  I have barley soaking on the counter for beefless barley soup I’m planning to make this evening.  Does that count?  Normally, I’d say I made a birthday party for my boy baby, but I didn’t really do anything except hand over my credit card; the venue took care of basically everything else.  (All we had to bring was the cake.)  It was nice not to worry about it and not to be tearing around, stressed to the max, all morning – but I did feel kind of useless just standing there while the Pump It Up! staff refilled fruit punches and handed pizza and cake around.

Blogging.  It’s a springy week for you!  It may not be my favorite season, but I’m leaning into it as best I can.  On Wednesday, I have my spring fun list, and on Friday, a to-do list for March in the garden.  (I guess in addition to being a springy week, it’s a listy week.)  Check in with me then!

Loving.  It’s been wonderful having my mom here for almost a whole week.  The kids love her so much!  (So do I.)  She has been picking them up from school, helping out in their classrooms, reading stories, doing crafts, and cleaning out their dressers.  I wish I could keep her here forever, but Grandad wants her back now.

Asking.  What are you reading this week?