Happy spring!

As the seasons go in our area of the world, most don't line up with when the calendar says they should start. Summer comes close, waiting until late June to give us consistently warm temperatures. Fall seems to come early and winter debuts long, long before December 21 and usually lasts long past the official start of spring.

Usually.

But not this year.

On this first day of spring, I can say – for the first time in my life – that spring has come early. And what better way to celebrate than with ice cream cones and a trip to the playground at Gordy's Warming House.

This was Sunday night. The temperature was still in the low 60s as the sun was setting. AJ took a break from playing catch with Dad to enjoy his "Superman" ice cream (I've never figured out what's super about it, other than it turns his tongue super blue.)

Sydney, meanwhile, took a couple of licks, then plopped the cone in the back-up cup I'd grabbed. She had to make the most of the last few minutes of daylight and headed back to the playground. If ever there was a reminder of how much she's grown – in size and ability – it's this shot.

Out of habit from last year, I stood below, ready to catch her, but I needn't have bothered. She's got the climbing wall mastered. And boy, is she proud of that fact!

Down she'd slide, and then back to the climbing wall she'd run.

AJ and Jeff eventually finished their ice cream and squeezed in a few more throws, and then at last it was time to go.

It's so odd to think that less than three weeks ago we were dealing with a blizzard, and now we've had multiple days (more than I think we had all last spring) with temperatures in the 70s. Will we still see more snow this spring? Quite probably. But it sure is a blessing to be able to wear shorts in the meantime.