On Thursday, we took a long walk, enjoying the almost 70-degree weather.  Ellie found a stick and held on to it for almost 45 minutes!  I’m not sure what it is about these pictures – maybe it’s the new size of clothes or her independence but wow, does she look grown up!

Going down stairs like a big girl takes concentration!

She even got her first big scratch on this walk – she was holding onto her stick and then tripped and fell forward onto the pavement.  Four of her fingers have scratches on them.  She cried pretty hard but also stopped pretty quickly and it wasn’t until we’d walked a few more steps that I discovered the big scratches.  She’s a tough girl!

And spring is here too.  It feels like no big deal because we never had winter.  This is the first time ever that I’m not even that excited about daffodils.  I mean, I am, but just not overflowing with excitement.  That must mean I’m a jaded East Coaster now and not a true Alaskan.  Although I did take a lot of pictures of spring flowers so that must mean that somewhere, unconsciously, I’m glad for spring to be here!