Matchbox 20

I heard a song on the radio this morning from this group called, Closing Time. I always loved this song and one of the lines in it. "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." That is so true. When something ends, it frees us for new possibilities. And with the snow finally melting away and the yard inching its way back, the warmer temperatures are freeing us to have some new opportunities too.

I was marveling at Thomas' social schedule today. I was wondering what was making this week so busy, and partly it's because I'm bringing Thomas to so many friends' houses or having them here. He had 4 play dates this week! We will cut back, but it's cute that he's becoming so close to this one boy in his class. He's definately getting older. His swim lessons are going better now that all of us are going to watch him. I think he likes us as his personal cheering crew! I'm happy to oblige when I see him swimming such strong strokes. He is still a little hesitant, but he's getting there.

Nolan has his Pinewood Derby this weekend. He participated a lot more in making his car this year, and this year he got it to be exactly 5 oz (the maximum and best weight to be for speed). So we are hoping he'll be a winner this year. He decorated it with Cub Scout decals, so he could win an award for Most Scout-like too. We shall see--cross your fingers! He also has a baseball clinic to start getting tuned up for the season. So another beginning coming up soon.

We've been having a lot of half days to accommodate parent-teacher conferences. I don't remember them cutting the days like this when I was little for conferences. I think the teachers just stayed late one night and parents could come in to talk to them then. Now they have 4 half days twice in the school year. It seems like a lot of time off. it must be a nightmare for working parents. Thankfully, I'm not one of them!

We've also been absorbed in reading a lot. I just finished reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to the boys (I highly recommend reading this during Lent.) and they are watching the movie of it as I write now. Now we've started Harry Potter. They are really getting into it, and I love spending the time doing it with them. Sometimes Thomas gets ants in his pants, but he's still listening. I hope they always love reading.

I actually opened the sandbox for Thomas today! So another new beginning, although the sand was still pretty frozen. He played in it anyway. I think we all want spring.