Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Happy Halloween






















Sorry this is overdue. Everyone else had their Halloween photos up long ago, but at least I got them up before Thanksgiving, right? Gwen loved being a cat for Halloween this year. Here are a couple of pictures and a video from the big day and one from a trip to a pumpkin patch.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Hot Cross Buns at 17 months

(It was chilly out this morning, and we had just come into the studio from outside.)

Gwen is really into piano, and she knows her colors really well, so I thought I'd try teaching her some songs using colors. I'm not sure that color reading transfers well to note reading in the long term, but I'm writing the note letters on the colors to help with the transition. When Gwen starts to get this down, I'll put the colored notes on the appropriate place on the staff.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Camping!



It was another first for Gwen this weekend. We headed out to Pedernales Falls State Park for Gwen's first camping trip. I reserved a campsite in advance because the campsites at Pedernales usually fill up quickly, especially when the weekend forecast calls for perfect fall weather as was the case. On Saturday we packed up our bags and prepared for some ol' fashioned car camping--coolers, comforters, pillows--we didn't want to rough it too hard on Gwen's first night under the stars! But when I called to confirm our site, I learned that I had accidentally made the reservation for the next weekend, and all the campsites were full! All that was available were the primitive sites which required a 2.5-3 mile hike in. OK, so maybe we were going to rough it. We rethought and repacked and ditched the cooler idea, the pillows, and brought our ultra-light stove, and prepared for some backpacking. When we got to the park, the park attendant was kind enough to give us the last car-camping site that they reserve "just in case." So we didn't have to backpack after all. We had a great site, watched a family of deer graze near our tent, ate some tacos, and enjoyed perfect weather. Gwen seemed to really enjoy the trip.

She slept between us in the tent, and at first all she wanted to do was play instead of sleep. Megan and I both closed our eyes, trying to pretend we were asleep, but for about 30 minutes Gwen kept tapping us saying, "Momma? Dadda?" Then pulling our hair, scratching our noses, climbing on us, Gwen persisted. It was hilarious, but we stayed strong, didn't laugh at her, and eventually she fell asleep.
We can't wait to go again!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Zilker Park

Gwen and I went to Zilker Park this morning. Gwen is a beautiful baby, and Austin is a beautiful city.








Thursday, August 20, 2009

Colorado Vacation


We're having a great time here at Pops and Babs' house in SW Colorado. Gwen has hiked on the Blue Lakes Trail and also at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. She seems to really enjoy going for a "ride" in the hiking backpack. She loves to point and say "mountains," and she's enjoyed seeing all of the animals here in the mountains, especially a few close encounters with deer. During her time here she's become a full-fledged, independent walker. Sometimes she doesn't even want to take your hand if you offer it to her. She's also started counting to ten and reading letters. So far she recognizes A, O, and S.



Fish Face