I have not worn more than a light jacket since Friday, and for most of today, I didn't even need that. What a thrill. February always issues this mighty tease: many years I'll even pull out a pair of shorts, wear them happily (despite my fish-belly colored legs) and then watch sadly as the temperature plummets two days later and my cute duds must again be put away. Last year we had a rather protracted respite from the cold, and I sowed seeds and planted some seedling kale. Mistake! All met death by freeze not much later. Finally I've learned my lesson. I worked in the yard but only focused on tasks of the tidying, readying sort. I have checked our spring and summer clothing stores but have not considered packing away even an item of winter gear. We took full advantage of the sun and relative warmth -farmers market! playing outside! climbing trees! baring our arms!- but did nothing more than enjoy those in-the-present thrills. Indeed, more cold, maybe snow, are to return starting tonight.

Yesterday we went to a gingerbread house making party and had a lovely time. The kids were wild for the endless candy options and frosting-glued so much of each to their house walls that their creations were as thick as they were tall. I know doctors say that sugar doesn't actually cause hyperactive aftermath in kids but I also know many a mom who would definitely try to dispute that. My crew and their buddies were bouncing off the walls; just gleeful to the max.

This morning, Jack had a birthday party to attend so Ol and I made Mardi Gras cookies (it's March 4; late this year) and spent an hour at the farmers market. He tasted every pickle at an overflowing stand and decided on the Super Sours while I opted for the Santa Fe carrots and turnips (lots of cumin!). Then he ambled over to EcoFriendly Foods (our preferred meat stall) and told Jordana that he very much wanted some "sausage of pig." I was in hysterics. I suspect she was too but in her dear way, she took his request very seriously and guided him to the tasting table. Someone gave him a first taste, and Ol said, "No, not like that." The second taste was Tasso (a cured pork that I've never seen out of Louisiana but which is a staple in real Louisiana jambalaya so it's awesome that EcoFriendly makes it), and Ol said, "Yes, this is it! This one!" Delightful.

We bought some stunning carrots and admired these long-neck squash. He munched on pickles the entire time and convinced me to buy more apple cider.

Finally it all became too much, and people, you have not seen a meltdown like the one Mr. O had tonight. I was both laughing and dying. That poor kid was so flummoxed about a paper snake he made Jack make for him but "Jack put a black line on the wong side and it's not wight...gaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Tears, rivers of tears, heavy chest, short breaths. It was just wild. I put him in the bath and told him to take deep breaths. "I CAN'T! I JUST WANT TO MAKE MY SNAKE TONIGHT BUT JACK MADE THE BLACK LINE ON THE WONG SIDE. GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH."

If you can believe it, I took that opportunity to trim his hair. Tom thought I was nuts but I was looking for a distraction. It kinda worked until he noticed all the hair in his bath at which point he was again overtaken by giant, sweeping gales of wail: "But LOOK!!!! Now there is SO MUCH HAIR IN MY BATH AND THE WATER IS TOO LOW. TOO LOW!!!! I WANT TO MAKE A SNAKE!"

He was put to bed shortly thereafter. Tom is now making fajitas, and I'm glad tomorrow is Monday/schoolday.