Signs of Spring

It's been raining hard here the last several days, and the results are really starting to show. Not only did I spot the first dandelions of the season this morning, but I have hyacinths in bloom! (Okay, so I had grape hyacinths and crocus already, but those always feel like the pre-show.) Between the hyacinth and the masses of forsythia in bloom and the soft green smell of a recent rain on a temperate afternoon, the air smells wonderful outside. Also, the chives are doing their best to take over the world - I should probably get some peat pots and transplant them now, in preparation for farmer's market in June.
Luna would still prefer snow, all things considered. But I've been putting her on a long line and "lunging" her in the field, so she's getting even more exercise as the weather warms. And she's getting so good with her commands!! Her latest tricks are to dance (balance on her hind feet and bounce around a bit) and to say hello (actually, hold out her paw to shake). I was considering teaching her to roll over or at least lay on her back with her paws straight up in a "play dead" pose, but the kitchen floor is a bit hard for that one. Maybe we'll work on it a bit more once the grass is less soggy.

And finally, it wouldn't be spring without the Prom. Tasha's last high school dance . . . yet another rite of passage as she progresses towards adulthood. I can't believe my baby is going to be 18 in a few days!

We spent some time today planning her high school graduation party, which will be held in mid-July at one of the park shelters in Falls. She's already got an enormous menu planned, and is figuring out exactly which kinds of streamers she wants and how many extra tables we'll need to show off the certificates and mementos of her high school career. Personally, I'm not very good at planning parties, so although her notes look fairly intimidating, I'm willing to follow her lead on this. (Um, within reason.)