Happy Spring! My favorite sights, sounds, and smells of spring

Yesterday officially marked the first day of spring. Here, it has felt like Spring since February. We have been spending loads of time at our local parks playing and having picnics. I found a great picnic blanket on Zulily for $24.99. It has a waterproof side to keep bums dry on damp grass, and comes with its own carrying tote for easy transportation. We're pretty certain it will get lots of use over time!

Springtime signifies rebirth and newness. Days get longer and the temperature rises; spring is a time to get outside and enjoy life. I have family coming over on Sunday for a barbeque so we can celebrate our sons' birthdays, both of them are March babies. Our daughter (6th grade) lives out-of-state with her mom during the school year, is also a March baby.

Here are some of my top 3 sights, sounds, and smells of spring, in no particular order.

Sights: 

• Flowers budding on trees: Spring buds means summer fruit! While we are still months off from having fresh fruit from the backyard, seeing the little green plums just makes me all smily inside!
• Baby animals: Spring is the season for babies! We love watching for calves on our way to Grandma's house, and seeing the ducklings at the park.
• The first strawberries at the Farmer's Market: While we are still enjoying all the citrus the market has to offer, strawberries are beginning to make an appearance, yummy!

Sounds:

• Birds chattering, and baby birds cheeping: I keep a squirrel-proof bird feeder by my kitchen window to see and hear the birds go by. My mom's barn is aflutter with birds swooping in and out.
• Kids playing outdoors: The weather warms up and kids are more willing to play outside. The community park gets more visitors, so more kids and opportunities for my kids to know their neighbors.
• Rainstorms: I love the sound of rain on the window, snuggled up indoors with some hot tea, or splashing in puddles in a pair of rainboots!

Smells: 

• Orange Blossoms: Our neighbor's yard is full of citrus trees, and the aroma of the orange blossoms is wonderfully intoxicating.
• Fresh Dirt: Spring is the season for planting! I find therapy in gardening, digging in the dirt, weeding, adding new color to the front yard and adding new vegetables and herbs to the backyard.
• Barbeque smoke: Warmer weather means more cooking outdoors. I use an old-fashioned Weber kettle grill, the same kind my dad taught me on when I was a kid.

I want to hear from you! What are your favorite sights, sounds, and smells of springtime that you love or are looking forward to experiencing? What reminds you that warmer days are on the way?