i love austin in the winter

Another beautiful January day. What else can I say?

you're it

When Catcher asked me if I would play tag with him and the girls at the park this afternoon, I hesitated for a split second before remembering that tag is pretty awesome. "Sure, I'll play tag," I responded. We had a wide open field with no dogs or other kids around and the warm sun was setting in the background, so there was no excuse not to play. As we chased each other around I found myself laughing like a kid--or, more specifically, like my kids--and wondered why it had been so long since I chased anyone around a field. Unfortunately as grownups we sometimes forget the simple joys that come from simple games. Thanks for the reminder, guys.

the puppeteers

When it's 72 in January, what else are you going to do but host an impromptu puppet show on your front porch? (Duh.) This was my entertainment this afternoon. Be warned, though, the puppets do get a little wild (and naked) at the end...

a boy and his toy

For Christmas this year Catcher asked for a remote control car, a remote control boat and a remote control helicopter. Santa brought him the helicopter. This afternoon the guys flew it around the living room when Catcher declared, "This is way cooler than a real helicopter." I haven't been in a real helicopter, but he might be right. This tiny thing is pretty fascinating and can take quite a beating considering Alex and Catcher flew it into the chandelier once and the ceiling fan twice (and also into the wall a few times plus several crash "landings").

I think the girls thought it was pretty cool, too. They crept out of their bedroom and left some intense dramatic dollhouse play behind to get a look at the action.

tillie got a haircut

...and Scout had her face painted.

cake ball mania

Way back during our winter break in Virginia, we spent the afternoon after Catcher, Scout and I had the 24 hour bug and before my sister and her eldest daughter caught it making cake balls. Kids love some cake balls. Unfortunately the adults supervising the activity weren't the craftiest of folks, so we lost 50% of the product to minor mishaps such as cake balls breaking in half and cake balls falling off their sticks in a vat of icing. Thank goodness, however, that our incompetency didn't dampen the spirits of the wee ones baking balls. I think they were in it for the icing and the sprinkles...

pit crew

Today the crew and I enjoyed one of our [old standby] favorite activities for a 70-degree January day (finally!). We visited the Dino Pit at the Austin Nature and Science Center. Tillie has matured since our last visit here. I can tell because she spent most of her time playing in the sand versus eating the sand. She and Scout dug holes for sitting while Catcher led the charge to unearth the fossil of a pteranodon.