Days of Ghillies and Hockey Skates. Or, You'd Better Appreciate this Video, Because it Took 2 Days to Upload.

Couldn't you just eat her up? I feel so inept at putting into words the... just... everything... that she is and does and says. She is bright and curious to no end. Considerate and kind. Competitive and determined. I can't do justice to the light in her eyes, the depth of her understanding or the softness of her sweet little cheek. She is my sun on the darkest days.

Josephine turned 5 on January 19th. The three birthday parties celebrating the occasion, along with the planning, cleaning and cooking that naturally come along for the ride, consumed a large part of the month of January. She got to go to school on her birthday, and take treats to share with her school friends. Then we spent the afternoon at the Mall of America, just the four of us. I'm not sure which of us enjoyed ourselves the most. Josie got a free unlimited ride wristband at Nickelodeon Universe, and definitely made it worthwhile, even venturing a ride on a big-kid roller coaster, and the Log Chute.

Otherwise, our days this last month and a half have been full of school, Irish dancing and hockey practice for Josie, and ECFE and skating lessons for Eve. She ended the class able to stand up without the "pusher" and even could take some steps on her own. Eager to start her own journey on skates.

We talk a lot about spring now. The sun feels warmer, the days longer, and we're waiting, waiting to be able to spend more time outside.

And Baxter, my black and white cat of almost 17 years, is no longer with us. It's the first time in the 8 years we've lived in this house that we haven't had a cat. It was hard to say goodbye, but a relief at the same time. The vet said Baxi had a large tumor in his stomach, and that we made the right decision at the right time. Who knows if it's the truth or not. But I'll be eternally grateful to him for saying the words, either way.