This afternoon

The biggest of the little llamas stayed home sick with mama today. (Hah, he looks fine now though, doesn't he?) It's something I think about when I think about working. Since kids, I've always worked from home, so while sick days meant late nights to make up hours, it was no biggie. I remember reading that vaccines played a big part in getting mothers into the workforce because previously, someone had to be available to quarantine children during outbreaks.

Working parents, how do you handle sick days?

No Big Plans

The kiddos and I took a trip to see my parents last weekend. (A big reasons for moving to Texas was the chance for them to have time with their grandparents.)  I like itineraries, and some sort of plan is required for preschool/toddler bodies and minds, but this weekend we didn't plan much ahead of time.  The boys loved pushing Cap into the too-cold pool, making cookies with Juju, and playing on the edge of the wilderness at Comanche Peak park.  June came bridesmaid's dress shopping with me.  We "fished" for stuffed animals with ribbons and hangers, played with the neighbors' dog, and brought home a couple old non-working cell phones that have been ringing off the hook with imaginary calls from all the aunties and uncles.

It was very nice.  I still love a plan, but maybe I can do this living well in the moment thing a little more often. 

Also ...

... I'm not supposed to do this at the park.

Backyard

 

I make plans to walk to the park, but we keep getting stuck back here.  It's just so lovely ... and convenient ... and I don't really need to meet new folks, do I? ... oh my gosh I'm loosing my non-suburb superpowers already.  SOS urbanites, we're happily drowning.  

Truly though, our place is perfect.  Backyard, but we walk to the doctor's office and museums.  4 bedrooms AND a view of the skyline.  xoxo Fort Worth cultural district, you are the total package.

He's 5!

The little man you see here just caught a grasshopper on his own. (It's in his hand.) He rides a huge, very big boy bike. He loves cap guns, dinosaur books, board games, the Secret Agent Man and Hard Rock Hallelujah songs, and tortellini. He does, he goes, he tries and tries again. Preschool is going really well for him and he's fond of his teachers.

These past few months with Scott have been especially cool. I love seeing him grow and having more mature conversations about science, poetry, people, and prayer.

5 years dude. We're so lucky.

Happy Birthday Mark

Mark, you're three today.  You are tough and helpful.  You like to help Daddy with handy man chores.  Grocery shopping with you is fun.  You're good at bringing June toys.  You are very sad (and tantrum-prone) when you can't stay at preschool like Scott, but you LOVE when you get to go.  I'm having a blast taking you to music class where you sing so sweetly and politely.  Until recently, you sang "Jingle Bells" as the lyrics to every song, but now you have quite a repertoire.  When you sing with us in Mass, my heart glows and I think God's does, too.

Your favorite book is Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever.  You are soaking up the vocab!   You go bananas for airplanes, swimming pools, and attention from extended family.  You said "thank you" for your birthday presents and we say thanks that you are part of our family.

Happy Birthday Junebug!

Last Friday, our little peach turned 1!  Her (still very 2 year old) brother pre-opened her presents and pre-smashed her cake for her.  Want to see her enjoy it anyway?

I thought so.