April Flew, and Handsome Ford is 5.

I'm sitting at home on the couch on Friday night watching "Spy Kids 3," totally unable to breathe after a vicious bout with pollen storm- induced adult allergies, wondering what happened to the month of April.

Cherry blossom season came and went,

and we donned our masks, fought the tourists who persisted even in a pandemic, and found some time to enjoy our town.

Gunnar came to visit, and we got to catch up with friends-who-are-family.

Jayne and Tony came to visit,

and I got away on my first girls' weekend maybe since Ford was born. Michelle and I ran a half marathon in Roanoke, 

and- because we're us- also discovered the stunning D-Day Memorial on a harebrained road trip home.

We had a great time introducing Grandpa to Falls Church,

enjoyed stunningly warm weather at the beach,

and celebrated this handsome beast's fifth birthday

in real style.

Which included lots of Star Wars,

and Ford's favorite fancy dinner spot (Pistone's). And a Grandma original cake with (no kidding) nutella frosting.

Grandma and Grandpa sadly went back to freezing North Dakota, and we consoled ourselves with a trip south to Aunt Bex's beach house, 

and a catch up with the rest of our NC friends

including these hooligans.

We met Seth (who had been fishing south) on our way home, for a Sunday night sunset dinner on one of our favorite river spots

and a toast to our big guy. We can't believe Handsome Ford is 5!

And are fervently wishing everyone a spring with less pollen and fewer breathe right strips.