Seattle is flirting with spring. One day is lush and sunny, the next scowling and drizzling. Everything is covered with a fine dusty coating of pollen, and the patio is littered with sticky yellow seed pods that cling to the bottoms of toddler-sized shoes and get trampled into the carpet. It feels moistly, thickly alive outside, like the air itself is bursting with unfurling blooms and delicate reaching green tendrils. The branches are trading their fierce skeletal winter bones for whorls of leaves and pink-tipped buds. We spread mulch in our front lawn and the smell is rich and fertile and organic, like the clean bedding of warm-blooded creatures.

It is a lovely transformation, accompanied by a nonstop energetic orchestra of singing birds, but here is the important thing: WE CAN THROW THE LOUD, RAUCOUS-ASS CHILDREN AND THE FARTING, FUR-SHEDDING DOG OUTSIDE NOW.

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Glory, glory. Hallelujah.

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Eric's Mommy
Eric's Mommy
13 years ago

HAHAHAHA Love it!

We have the God awful May flies right now. I took Eric outside and we lasted about 10 minutes before we went back in, they are terrible.

samantha jo campen
13 years ago

Go Dog go!

warcrygirl
warcrygirl
13 years ago

AMEN!

Stevie
13 years ago

“It feels moistly, thickly alive outside” – that is a PERFECT description of what it feels like! I was running along the trail in Woodinville yesterday evening and the smells and sounds were everywhere. I could hear ducks quacking, frogs & crickets chirping and it just smelled so earthy. I love it!

Liz
Liz
13 years ago

The proper scientific name for all that pollen is “tree bukkake”.

6512 and growing
13 years ago

Hallelujah for this: WE CAN THROW THE LOUD, RAUCOUS-ASS CHILDREN AND THE FARTING, FUR-SHEDDING DOG OUTSIDE NOW.
Just that makes spring the most glorious, hope-filled time.
Enjoy!

H
H
13 years ago

I’m impressed that Dog, at her age, can run and/or jump like she is in that picture!

Enjoy!

Clueless But Hopeful Mama

The dimples on Dylan? RI-freaking-DICULOUS. And when did he become a full fledged BOY?

Christine
Christine
13 years ago

Normally I would talk about how big and adorable the boys are getting, but I saw Dog. And YAY Dog! Look at her go. :)

HalynB
13 years ago

It’s a little chilly and overcast today, but yesterday and Sunday sure were nice! And I love the way the air smells lately…if colors had odors, I would definitely call this one green!
I don’t know why, but winter really seems never-ending this year-I’ll be glad when we get a week’s worth of nice weather instead of a day or two at a time.
God, your babies look like full on little boys! So amazing how fast they grow!

Kate
13 years ago

Sing it, sistah! And throwing them outdoors = tiring their little asses OUT!

Becky Mochaface
13 years ago

I wish my yard looked as thick and lush as yours. Sigh. My skills as a landscaper are sadly lacking.

cindy w
13 years ago

That is the best reason for getting a fence around our backyard that I’ve heard. I would love to just toss my kid outside & let her run.

MRW
MRW
13 years ago

Totally. My 7 year old pitched himself outside Sunday morning around 10:00 and spent the entire day playing with various friends in the neighborhood until I dragged him in around 7:00 (forced lunch down his throat at some point, that was it). He was in kid heaven. Could use more 75 degree days here.

Kami
13 years ago

Damn, I love Spring. I wish it would show up in Boston…

Brenna
13 years ago

Word to the WORD. (I love pulling those clumps of hair off my dog, it’s just so satisfying.)

Mel
Mel
13 years ago

I love your descriptions! Paints a beautiful word picture!

Lucy
Lucy
13 years ago

Linda, I love the way you write! So poetic and observant, and so modern and honest! Brilliant! It’s lovely to see the boys looking so well and happy too, it must be a relief for you.

penne
13 years ago

My dad used to tell us “Why doncha go outside and let the stink blow off?” And I always thought it was so mean. Until I had children, and now I GET IT. Happy Spring!

Kristin H
Kristin H
13 years ago

That picture of Dylan! He looks like an official boy now, rather than a baby.

Garnish
13 years ago

I second that emotion! Beautifully put. And Penne…loving your dad’s sentiment.

Amanda Blair
13 years ago

i love the action shots and your description of spring. I felt like I was watching that happen instead of reading it!

Sara
13 years ago

Here it’s just yellow. Everything that stands still for even a plit second is covered in pollen. I like your Spring much better!

Redbecca
Redbecca
13 years ago

Hahahaha! If only I could kick our cats out. Sigh. But they are sheltered indoor creatures who think “outside” is the screened-in porch or an open window.
We were blessed with a brief flirt with summer a couple of weeks ago here in the DC area and my kiddo already has a freakin FARMERS TAN! In April!

Kym
Kym
13 years ago

I’m hearing “go speed racer, go” in my head when I see pictures of Dog running :)

willikat
13 years ago

Penne, my dad used to say that too!

amber
13 years ago

Honestly I’ve never been a fan of dimples but DAMN, Dillon makes them look GOOD. Handsome boys!

amber
13 years ago

It suddenly occurs to me that my “damn” all capitalized could seem a wee bit creepy. No creepiness intended!!

victoria
victoria
13 years ago

Thank you for writing in detail, elsewhere, about managing your time and getting SO MUCH done in one day. First, You’re amazing. Second, I am definitely going to take a harder look at how I spend my time in the car and what I have on my iPod. Third, You really DO have basically zero down time and yet you never report losing your temper with a child or colleague because you’re overtired or panicked.

Now that you’ve decoded the mystery of how you get so much done in a day, all I can say is, Wow. Even ONE day where almost every minute, from waking to bedtime, was devoted to accomplishing some task, would have me in tears.

Maria
13 years ago

I’m jealous of the state of your grass. Holy shit it’s gorgeous.

Also jealous that Dylan can figure out the sippy cup collecting dust in my kitchen because NEITHER OF MY CHILDREN COULD FIGURE OUT HOW TO DRINK FROM IT.

Kathy
Kathy
13 years ago

Hi, I am new to your site and just wanted to say I enjoy reading. Also…..your pictures are so sharp and clear, it’s like I’m right there. Would you mind sharing what kind of camera you use? And forgive me if you’ve already answered this question, I haven’t read all your archives yet.
thanks…

Mona
13 years ago

I can absolutely relate to the pollen covering everything, including the inside of my lungs. So ready for the pollen to stop, the days to be continuously sunny, and summer to officially start!