It’s been a full week of officially spring-like weather, and we’ve been enjoying it to the fullest here (that would explain the lapse in posts.)

First, there was the ill-fated fishing effort behind our house (we are fortunate enough to have spent the last 8 months living on a channel emptying into Lake Michigan, so there’s a beach a couple hundred yards from our back door, and a pier even closer. We are unfortunate enough to be leaving said home in a month.) The trip scored no fish, but it was abundant in photo-ops.

Last Friday, Jon, Clara and I accompanied Isaac’s third-grade class to Conner Prairie in Fishers, IN. I have been to a lot of historic parks, but this was one of the best I’ve seen. It’s authentic and huge–you could spend all day wandering through the gardens, striking up conversations with the costumed interpreters, and gawking at the historic buildings (real, not reproductions) with period decor and furniture. Starting this week they’ll be offering hot air balloon rides , but since we were there too early Isaac had to settle for throwing a hatchet:

which then broke,

holding a chick,

and playing old-fashioned games.

Saturday was spent walking the 1.5 miles downtown with the baby strapped to my chest in order to watch the community parade. I unfortunately got no pictures, just a bad sunburn.

Sunday, we went hunting for morel mushrooms. My brother-in-law, Scott, found ten or so, and Jacob found one.

I was completely unsuccessful, despite really going for gold, tearing through thorn bushes and crawling around in the dirt. But between the two guys we had a decent little haul.

Last night, Jenna and I made chicken, asparagus and morels with rosemary new potatoes.

It was delicious, and none of us wound up in the hospital due to eating toxic false morels.

Today it was a trip to the nearby nature center for a romp through the woods with Jenna, her kids, our friend Missy and her two kids and William, Owen and Clara. I forgot the camera, so I didn’t bring home any photos. What I did bring home? Ticks. Three found so far, one of which was ON MY HEAD. Now, of course, I’m convinced I feel crawling and itching all over my body. Something tells me I’m in for a long night…

Welcome Spring!