party like a rock star

Yesterday I took on my first non-paying gig as a "professional" photographer. I don't think you can really claim to be a professional until you start getting paid--how does that happen?--but I rented some fancy lights and a shiny curtain, and people thought I was legit as the girl behind the lens in the Rock Star Photo Booth at the annual music festival for Scout's preschool. During set-up I had to coerce my "models" to stand in so I could get the framing and lighting in place, so here is a sneak peek at how it all went down. For more pictures of people you probably don't know (and who aren't my kids, for once) you can visit my (new!) web site at http://www.sarahwheat.com/. Hint: you have to click on "browse" on the homepage to find the gallery.

pitch a tent

When you're on your third snow* day in as many weeks and your arsenal has run dry, you can always go back to one of your all-time crowd-pleasing hits: the teepee. First the teepee was a romper room with the three little ones wrestling inside. Then it was a napping nook for Scout (until Catcher peeked in and disturbed the peace). At least it kept us busy while we stared at the dry streets outside and wondered why we weren't in school.

*What is the definition of a snow day? I know we live in Texas and Texans are afraid of cold weather mixed with precipitation. I get it. However, the public schools should wait until there is actual precipitation on the ground (or in the air for that matter) before canceling school for the day. I'm not a meteorologist, but I am a human who has experienced some cold weather in her lifetime, and while 31 degrees may be on the uncomfortable side of chilly, I certainly wouldn't characterize it as "extreme cold," which is the reason I was given for Scout's preschool being cancelled yesterday. #justsayin

here's looking at 2

How did that tiny baby become this little girl?

Happy Birthday, T! Even though Scout cried when we went out for cupcakes, and I didn't get a good birthday picture of you because you had chocolate all over your face, it was a pretty good day. Catcher had a 2-hour delay this morning, so I got to make surprise birthday pancakes for you (and the other guys) for breakfast. We went to the gym, and you were so excited to move over to the "big kid" side in child watch. We opened presents from the grandparents, read a really cool and very funny new book The Day the Crayons Quit, and had your favorite dinner--tacos for Tillie from Texas! Happy Birthday! XO

little picasso/running through a rainbow

Wednesday afternoon. 39 degrees in Austin. The Thinkery.

a walk with nature

So this is how the days are going this winter: warm, warm, chilly, COLD, warm, COLD, HOT, chilly, warm, COLD, warm, HOT, chilly, warm...or something to that effect. Today was a warm day, and tomorrow we're anticipating another COLD one. Catcher was at his girlfriend's--yes, he has a kindergarten girlfriend--house this afternoon, so my girls and I went on a nature walk through the neighborhood. Our goal was to find "something interesting." The most interesting thing we found were some pink flamingos and a few cats (not pictured). Scout took time to stop and smell the rosemary while Tillie took time just to stop...and lie down on the sidewalk.

well suited

There's something about the temperature dropping below 40 degrees that makes Scout want to put on her bathing suit. She then assists (or perhaps strong-arms?) her shadow, Tillie, in following suit (pun intended). Yesterday as Catcher and I were gearing up for the not-so-super Super Bowl, Scout and Tillie were gearing up for something else entirely...

our own private playgound

This afternoon these three guys and I discovered what I'm calling a "secret" playground in our neighborhood. I hesitate to name it (it does have a name) in case it really is a secret and we stumbled upon an undiscovered--or perhaps under discovered--gem. I don't want to spoil it for ourselves by unintentionally over-popularizing the place (kind of like when your favorite indie band hits it big time, and you feel slighted in a strange way because you're the one who discovered them). But back to the point. Undiscovered or not, here's where we spent this lovely afternoon before the next cold front comes to town: