Spring is just around the corner, if not here yet, as demonstrated by the budding trees and blooming flowers. 

Okay, so this one may be considered a weed, but I like these weeds a lot better than the little yellow dandelions. And there are daffodils, crocuses and cherry blossoms all in bloom now. Gabriel is absolutely loving being outdoors. He must ask at least 20 times a day to go "outsie" while pointing at the door or out the window.

 We oblige him as much as possible. The ducks are a lot of fun and he often asks for them. It's one of the many words he can sign and say, so I clearly know what he wants. Plus we know several duck songs from music class, which he also loves.

This one is from a local park that has a river through it. Gabriel loves to play in the water and Ruben loves showing him all about being a boy and getting dirty, which is good because this momma would probably try to keep him mostly clean.

And, of course, the park is always a winner, especially if Emily is there. This picture is from yesterday (St. Patrick's Day). Emily is so nice she didn't even pinch him despite the fact that I forgot to put him in something green. No wonder he likes her. 

We leave on Wednesday for our first family vacation to the Redwoods in Northern California.

We are super excited!