With snow having "blessed us" less than two weeks ago, I think we had extra appreciation for near 70 degree weather yesterday. We checked out the local farmer's market, which included pony rides, and visited a costume store where the kids explored new hair styles. It was just a really great day.

Every once in a while it seems the kids just aged a year in an instant. One day runs into the next for months and then, one day, I look up and notice all the changes at once. Yesterday was one of those days for me. Hanging out at the market, looking at different fruit and vegetable stands, talking to people, the kids just tagged along, content with having some sun and activity. They pay attention where we are so that we don't have to keep an eye on them every single second (maybe that's because they have just enough doubt as to whether or not I'd actually leave without them). Anyway, a definite "new plateau" day. We had a lot of fun.

We had a party in the evening, so not only did the kids miss their naps, but they also stayed up late. We had to wake Mason this morning so that we could go to Cindy's softball games. They were great for the first game, but after about four hours on the field, they were tired, and the weather began to chill. By inning three in game two, both kids were in my lap, fighting for a comfortable position. If either could have found one, they would have crashed. But, instead, they spent the last four innings flopping around on top of me, trying to get some warmth under the one extra coat we had stretched on top of us.

We got in the car and by the time we were two blocks away from the field Mason was sound asleep. When we arrived in the U District for some Pha soup, he was still asleep. I picked him up, walked down the Ave with him in my arms, still asleep. We sat down in the booth, and I eventually laid him down next to me. He slept through all of dinner, then briefly opened his eyes when I picked him up again to go back to the car. Out in the wind and new rain, he fell back asleep. I put him back into his carseat, and he nestled in. We drove home...both he and his sister stayed asleep in the driveway.

Eventually I heard the front door open, but no footsteps. I went around the corner to find Kenzie laying in the entryway on the carpet. "Mom, I'm sleepy," she said. I picked her up and laid her next to Cindy on the couch. Five minutes later, the front door opened, again no footsteps. I rounded the same corner, this time I saw Mason laying in the entryway on the carpet. I picked him up, he was still listless in my arms, finally and slowly rousing...ah, sleep deprivation brings out the sweetest sides in them.