Pease Park Sprinkler Pad

During the past few weeks, we have discovered the sprinkler pad at Pease Park near downtown Austin. It is an awesome spot to bring children. They have about nine or ten different types of sprinklers or water features, and kids just play and play. Like so many good things in Austin, it's free! We went there two weeks ago with Jessica and Aidan, and yesterday we stopped by a second time. During our first visit, I had to leave early, so I cribbed some of Jessica's photos. If you're in or around Austin and have kiddos to entertain, I highly recommend a visit.

Lydia found her courage with water!!


Jessica and Aidan after running through the fountain.


Lydia and her daddy.


Relief from the summer heat.


Aidan and Lydia.


Wondering where the water went.


Right after sticking her face in the water.


Love them.


Lydia and Aidan playing with the chimes.

Coffee time with Daddy

Epic Roadtrip Installment #9

Some of my favorite photos from Britt's parents' garden...










From downtown Chicago...












And from Millenium Park.















We love Chicago!

Epic Roadtrip Installment #8

We managed to time our trip in Chicago to overlap with a special day for another friend, Sara, and her baby shower. Britt and I drove back up to Sauk to celebrate Sara and her baby boy. Since the shower, Sara and Aaron has welcomed Connor Jeffrey, and he's beautiful!!

From left to right, Stacy, Lissa, Sara, Britt, and me. I am so lucky to have found such wonderful friends through Robin!!



Britt and I had a fantastic time in the car. Three hours have never flown by so quickly!



Brittany rocked the shower games.


And Sara seemed to love her gift. These diaper bags are the best!



Congratulations, Mama Sara!!

Epic Roadtrip Installment #7

After Madison, we were on to Chicago to spend a few days with Mike and Britt. Mike willingly played telephone with Lydia, and she (we) were THRILLED with the present they had waiting for her. Play sushi!!!











We took Lydia downtown... this is one of my favorite photos.


And we made a stop at the bean in Millennium Park. Lydia was super into it. Can't you tell?











This next photo was after the security guard scolded me for standing in the water. Oops!




Things that didn't make the photos: the Lincoln Park zoo, a great night out to a fantastic Italian restaurant, Lydia gagging and throwing up guacamole in a restaurant that almost didn't let Mike and Britt in because they had Lydia with them (they took her ahead so Robin and I could take care of some things), my excitement when I found ONE skirt that I loved, in exactly my size, marked 50% off at Anthropologie, delicious take-out in Mike and Britt's living room, and wonderful conversation with two people we love dearly.

We love Chicago, and we love Mike and Britt!

Stanley Update

Stanley is doing well. He is eating well, moving normally, and showing no signs of any neurological damage. We will continue to give him pain meds and antibiotics through the week, but we feel confident that he's going to be fixed up in no time!

Several people have expressed concern about the dog next door. Without any prompting from us, our neighbors have enrolled him in obedience classes to counter any aggressive tendencies. We feel confident that they are taking the issue as seriously as we are.

Thank you for your concern!! Yesterday was a rough one, but we're a household of generally happy campers at the moment!

Here's Lydia serving Stanley a cup of tea. She wanted to make sure he felt better. :)

Epic Roadtrip Installment #6

While In Madison, we went to the Henry Vilas Zoo. It was a nicely organized and maintained zoo, and it was free! I was excited to see that Lydia seemed to get the hang of the zoo-going activities since it was her second visit to a zoo during our travels.

She willing put her face in the gorilla photo op...


and she looooved Cousin Brenna. In fact, she kept wanting to go to Brenna over me. If I didn't like Brenna so much, it would have hurt my feelings!


She watched the animals with daddy. These zoo trips were the impetus for our backpack purchase to carry her in. Lydia is getting too heavy to carry for long periods of time, and we wanted her high up so she could see the animals.



This picture is amazing. If you look on the other side of the glass, you can see the tiger that was pacing back and forth along the glass wall. Lydia was so interested in this tiger, and it was within inches of her. I think this was what helped her realize that the purpose of a zoo is to find the animals in the exhibits and watch them. She was very, very excited about this tiger!


She fed the goats, something I have never been brave enough to do.


Gratuitous animal photo...


and adorable photo of Lydia walking with Gramma Mree and Cousin Brenna.


And hung with Great Aunt Theresa. Theresa was a teacher, so I always love and appreciate her insight and knowledge about children. She has been right on about pretty much everything, and I'm not just saying this because I know she reads this blog. (Hi, Theresa!) It was at the zoo that we decided to buy a Little Tykes kitchen, at Theresa's suggestion!


We ended the visit with Lydia's first ride on a carousel. She was hesitant at first but relaxed as the ride went on.


Robin and Elise joined in the fun


and Gramma Mree spotted.


All in all, a great Madison day at the zoo!!!