Grandma's visit

My mom came to visit us for a couple of days this week and it was so nice! She lives in New York, so we don't see her very often. The kids mostly remembered her from last time and loved spending time with her.
She and Elinor seemed to have an especially strong bond.

Whenever Grandma wasn't with us Elinor would say, "I want my grandma in my house" or "I want my grandma in my car." Caleb loved showing off the Christmas tree. Emily was in school for a lot of the visit but talked Grandma's ear off when she was around. Jacob reminded my mom of my older brother, so he enjoyed a lot of special one-on-one time with Grandma.

Our apartment is pretty full, so my mom stayed at the Austin Motel, which is in a really neat part of town. All of the rooms in the hotel are different, and she loved hers. I thought it was a good Austin experience for her.

That marquee says "So close, yet so far out." I like it.

I love this picture that Caleb took. Classic Elinor.

A couple of hotel pictures...

We also checked out the Elizabeth St. Cafe for some Vietnamese food and it was really good. Not super kid-friendly (I'm pretty sure our waiter hated us), but good food. Then I ordered two macarons for Joseph because I thought they were macaroons, but turns out they're not. And the one Joseph got had a bright yellow ginger-curry filling that was very surprising. And also pretty gross. But we made up for that with donuts from Gordough's, which we cut into fifths and still all felt satisfied with our share.

Mum also gave me and Joseph an all-expenses-paid date night, which was fabulous. It has been a long time since Joseph and I have been able to go out without the kids for a leisurely dinner and bookstore prowl. It was so nice knowing that the kids were in good hands, with someone who loved them enough to not mind if they got out of bed or required some soothing before sleep would come.
We have not lived close to any family since Emily was two weeks old, and this visit made me really wish for some of that support. Maybe one day!

 After the craziness of Mum's whirlwind visit, we took the rest of the week easy. This picture sort of epitomizes how Thursday and Friday were spent.

Life is good.

the Couch Dress

So, Joseph was in France for a week and I was hoping he would blog about that because, frankly, it would be a lot more interesting than anything I have to say right now. Hopefully he will do that soon.
I just wanted to post an update on the couch dress really quick. In reading your comments, I have decided in the future I will allow Emily to choose either the pattern or the fabric, not both. I will also choose an accent fabric and the notions to go along with whatever she picks out.
Anyway, here goes.

She wore it with a cardigan to church because
 it was a little chilly that day.
(I know -- What?! In the middle of November?! No way!!)

Here it is, in all its glory. Honestly, it's not as bad as I thought it would be, but I am definitely excited to start a project that I'm more, well, excited about. And I do have a few of those.

And here's Caleb. He was riding his bike around wearing these glasses, but he was done with them by the time I pulled the camera out. Silly boy.

School pics

So, I didn't order any school pictures for Emily this year because they are so ridiculously expensive. Then I saw the shot and I was really sad I wasn't getting it. So we went to JC Penney (who, by the way, is offering a free 8x10 and no sitting fees in November) and had Emily sit for a session there. I was hoping for a more traditional, school picture looking shot, but we are happy with these.

This is Emily's favorite.

This is my favorite smile.

 

5 years old! In kindergarten! Whaa!
And, only $12 for way more pictures than the $40 package I would have ordered through the school.

Late night question

What do you do when you take your five-year-old daughter with you to the fabric store for a new dress and she picks fabric that looks like Grandma's couch? (No offense, grandmas.)

Student Housing

Yesterday was the primary program. This is a big deal in our family because Joseph is the primary chorister. It went well though and Emily said her part beautifully. We were excited to have some neighbors come to see the kids sing. They probably knew half the kids in the primary, since so many live here in student housing.

With two o'clock church, we have lots of time to do things before church. Yesterday's activity was these funny puffball dogs.

However, with two o'clock church we don't have much time afterward. I told the kids they could go outside while we were making dinner as long as they stayed on the back porch. They started a game with one neighbor girl.

Then another came along.

And another (but not a girl this time).

We ended up with a good-sized crowd. I am inside the kitchen taking the picture at this point because I have been crowded off the porch.

And that is why I am a little afraid to leave student housing. Yes, I was nagging Joseph to finish up, but now I'm not so sure. More money and a better apartment would be fantastic, but what about the community? Will we ever live anywhere else with a playground in the backyard and dozens of other children ready to play at any hour of the day? Will I ever be able to step out my back door for a chat with someone because I need some support from other mothers or just companionship during the day? I love sitting out at that park with four other ladies (three of whom are nursing newborns), watching the kids play (and breaking up fights caused by Caleb).
A couple of months ago when I was frustrated that we weren't finishing here as quickly as I wanted, I decided to just let it go and take things a day at a time. And I realized, if there's anywhere that our family is going to be stuck for longer than planned, this is the place. We love Austin and we love student housing here.

Bikes

I have a testimony of Strider bikes.

After loving his balance bike for the last six months, today Caleb took off on his big kid regular bike! He totally caught me by surprise. His big bike really is a lot bigger than his little balance bike, but it didn't take him long to figure out. Emily transitioned to a regular bike with similar ease. Elinor has started riding Emily's old Strider bike around, and I am sure Jacob will one day be enjoying Caleb's.
I love the Strider bikes because they are lightweight (Elinor can handle one easily), the seat and handle bars can go super low (low enough for a barely two-year-old), the tires don't ever go flat, and they teach kids to balance. They are definitely on my list of favorite things ever.

By the way, I finished Watership Down today. I don't think there is a deeper meaning, but it is a really fun adventure story. You just have to get past the weirdness of it being about rabbits. I would give it almost four stars.

Two thoughts

I love two!
Miss Elinor is forever cracking me and Joseph up with her antics. My favorite recent episode was catching her (she thought she was alone) in the hallway doing the chicken dance to a banjo rendition of "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain." I do love two.

Also,
has anyone out there read Watership Down? Am I missing something or is it a really bizarre book? Rabbits totally staying true to their rabbit-nature but also being planners and adventurers? Rabbit mythology and vocabulary? But they're rabbits! It's enjoyable and entertaining, but I'm not sure I get it. I probably need to go see what Sparknotes has to say about this. I didn't really get the genius of The Catcher in the Rye either.

Daddy-daughter

Joseph took the girls to the daddy-daughter camp out at Krause Springs last weekend. The girls were so excited! Caleb was a little bummed, but he perked up when I told him he could play for Emily at the soccer game Saturday morning. It was a quick trip, but I think everyone had fun. I couldn't get too many details out of Joseph, but I have pictures!

Here is Emily running among the tents. Isn't it a lovely campground?

More loveliness.

Smile, Elinor!

That's better.

El's a crazy one. Good thing she's got a competent big sister to see her through.

I am sad that our family doesn't have a big enough tent for us to all go camping together, but these father-son and daddy-daughter camp outs have been so awesome for the kids! And I don't mind the break while they're gone. Caleb and Jacob were a piece of cake! Three year spacing is where it's at!
Thank you, Austin, for providing beautiful weather and gorgeous campgrounds.

This Boy

 

Love him.
He sleeps great.
He smiles at me and Joseph.
He giggles when he's tickled.
He tolerates the older siblings.
He reminds me of Russell, which I sort of love.

He's a pretty awesome little baby.