Bonjour, les amis! We jump into March this weekend, though my children have already been puddle jumping for weeks. This last week was so rainy and windy that many neighborhood trees broke, including a century-old cedar that fell across a nearby road. It was a sad sight and I didn't photograph it, but it reminded me of when I took photos of our neighborhood cedars for my first blog post last September.

This weekend my children and I will enjoy some live cello music at a Symphony Storytime, and I'll finish reading Crescent by local writer Diana Abu-Jaber in time for a book club discussion. (Her words bring back memories of delicious Middle Eastern meals!)

As you go about your weekend, I hope you enjoy these links I compiled for your inspiration, encouragement, and joy:

Appetizer Link (lighter fare):

Video: A n Open Letter to Moms from KidPresident. Whether you're a mama or not, this kid will make you chuckle. He gives an encouraging message with humor--something all mamas need.

Main Course Link (heavier food for thought):

Marriage As A Luxury Good from Darling Magazine: This article provides a good counterpoint to those who might feel that marriage can wait until after they've arrived at their life goals.
Office Moms: Volunteering Motherly Love for New Foster Children: how local women are helping foster children through times of boredom and transition. This reminded me that even mamas with young children can find meaningful moments to help others.
76 Wonderful Quotes on Parenthood from Bilingual Monkeys. I'm still thinking about Carl Jung's quote on the unlived life of the parent. I don't necessarily agree with Jung there, but it's an intriguing concept.
A Big Advocate of French in New York's Schools: France. The French dual-language revolution is underway in New York, where they hope to enroll 7,000 students in K-12 French/English dual language education over the next five years. Ils ont de la chance là!
5 Ways to Build A Beautiful Home from (in)courage. These simple points are reminders that home has everything to do with our head, hands, and heart, and less to do with rooms and decor.

Dessert Link (sweetness):

Video: Frenchman Breaks World Record in Pole Vault. A one-minute look at Renaud Lavillenie's world record pole vault (20'2") two weeks ago. Bravo!

Video: C hocolate Avocado Mousse. My sister, founder of Celebrate Nutrition, created this surprisingly healthy and rich-tasting mousse recipe. It's dairy-free, but I think I'd eat it even if I weren't living without dairy products.

Bon weekend, mes amis!