Top Five ways you know it’s spring at the Johanik household:

5.  When you pet the dog, you get more than you bargained for.  Our vacuum cleaner is a workhorse.

4.  Time to stain the deck. The kids put several layers of old socks on their feet and walked around the deck to mop up excess oil.  As long as we don’t have to put coats and hats on, any chore is fun!

3.  First family bike ride of the year. We rode to downtown Wheaton and back, a 20 mile round trip.

We rewarded ourselves upon arriving in Wheaton with some DQ.

Jake offered to pull the trailer (a.k.a. chariot) on the way home. Ruthie was not exactly thrilled with this idea out of fear that Jake would go too fast. She agreed to the deal when Peter told her he would follow right behind.

One of the boys called it “Ruthie’s Motorcade”.

2. Time to clear away the dormant leaves and stalks so the new stuff can grow. Then it gets thrown into the fire pit.

2a.  Back up the shot a little bit and see that everyone has their own idea of appropriate attire in which to welcome spring.

And the Number One sign spring has arrived at the Johanik household…….

1. Break out the s’mores!

The two-s’more limit was more difficult for some to accept than others.

When I told Ruth she could roast one more marshmallow and then needed to be done, she was surprised. “But I’ve only had TEN!” And then proceeded to do a dance around the fire pit. I’m not sure what to say about that.

Hooray for spring!