I can tell spring has arrived when:

Big sword fern fiddleheads are well along.

My beloved, transplanted huckleberry bush has new growth. I really, really want it to survive.

And:

Trying to beat back some of the weeds in the rain garden, probably futile. I may have to redefine “weed” to exclude anything that thrives in there.

And:

Ah, the back porch, truly my favorite part of the house. Good for drying laundry, reading in the sun, or (not pictured) eating dinner on nice evenings, among other things.

Also, a sign not of spring but of budding toddler humor:

Situational humor comprises our entire repertoire right now; pouring an imaginary cup of tea over his head, or putting shoes on knees, or giving doggy a diaper. Anything he knows should be some other way, done “wrong” is worth a laugh. I find it refreshing to be able to make jokes and be silly and get any reaction at all.

Another good sign, though also not of spring, was that Ian and I got out for a real date last night, courtesy of Sullivan Babysitting Service. We saw the new Captain America movie (surprisingly serious for an action flick) and had a Seattle Restaurant Week dinner at the Melting Pot (delicious and wonderfully free of screaming, fussing, demanding, and rushing). All-round refreshing to get out on our own and not just to do errands or chores.