First Soccer Game Of The Season

Gavin's second soccer season began this month. Casey is the coach again and Nana and Papa from San Antonio drove up for the big day. Gavin made several goals. Our good friend and neighbor Christopher is on our team this year.  Christopher's mommy is also expecting a child these days, her third. She is about 3 weeks further along than I am. This is exciting. Gooooo Texans!

Gavin's First 5K

We participated in the CASA Superhero 5K this weekend with our a couple of our Austin BFFs, Jessi and Milo. I've been wanting to do this race the last few years, but scheduling conflicts usually prevented it. Despite not being able to run and registering as an untimed participant (gasp!) we had a great time and I am so proud that Gavin was able to complete the entire 3 miles. Way to go, G! Daddy was even there to cheer us across the finish time - he had to wait much longer than usual. It was my slowest time yet, but I got my walk in and making endurance race memories with Gavin means so much. Once MB2 make its appearance and I start working out regularly again, I am looking forward to actually running a 5K with Gavin and perhaps even training for another marathon (gulp).

We tried to get a group photo at the end of our play date. The boys were still full of wiggles, getting them to stand still was not possible. 

HOPE Farmers' Market and Eastside County Fair (an urban fall fest!)

Jessi and I were able to get our monkeys together for another farmers' market playdate. It's been a while ! (We went a lot last year, but this year has kind of gotten away from us.)

Pics from last year's market play dates.

 (These two have grown so much since this time last year. Where have our babies gone?)

 The boys wore us out at usual, but had a great time. Jessi and I both went home with a bag full of farm fresh veggie goodness. I bought a bag of sweet potatoes from one of my favorite local farms and plan to experiment with a sweet potato hash recipe that Jessi has been having great success with.

Gavin was surprised when I came home with a bunch of kale. He said, "Yuck mama, I don't like kale." And I said, "Yes you do, you eat it all the time." "No, I don't," he said. And then I spilled the beans about how I've been sneaking kale into one his favorite treats for over a year now - the banana and blueberry smoothie. He was very shocked to learn this. "Bad mama!," he squealed. I replied, "No, smart mama!"

While I was mostly excited about the fresh produce, Gavin and Milo enjoyed the fall fest aspects of the market. They both asked for the rainbow tiger face paint, spent time in the petting zoo area, and really really enjoyed bobbing for vegetables and playing on the light rail deck (no trains on Sunday). On the way back to our car we explored a playground we haven't been to before. It was a great day.

Between 5K and Farmers' Market activities we had a productive weekend at home. I studied some, Casey made great progress on a closet makeover project, and I painted the hope chest I am refurbishing for the nursery.

Conversations With My Son

I thought this conversation was a great opportunity to introduce the water conservation concept.

While driving home after a good rain and several days of missing rain from storms passing through our area, Gavin asked: 

"Mama, if it never rains and there is no water all the grass and trees will die?"

"Yes, that's true - depending on the type of plant. Some plants can go a long time without water."

"Will all the animals die? Like the birds and elephants"

"Yes, animals will die without water."

"Will we die?"

"Well yes, humans are also animals and people would eventually die too. We need water to survive."

"What is 'survive' ?"

"To survive means to live."

"Without water we won't survive?"

"That is true."

"I hope it rains, mama."

"Me too. In the meantime we can do our best to conserve our water."

"What is conserve?"

"It means to save. Just like we save our money, it is important to save our water and not use more than we need. To understand how much water we need it is necessary to assess our needs versus wants."

"Mama, did you bring me a snack today?"

And so we saved the hard part of that conversation for another day.

Growing

Here we are at 17 weeks and 3 days. 

Notice our new couch. Next on my list of never ending house-to-home projects is a new rug and artwork for above the couch...and possibly a built-in console table along the back of the couch. That last one is a Casey project. 

Conversations With My Son

Gavin started his new (and last) year of preschool this week. The Montessori equivalent of Pre-K. There are lots of exciting things happening in his class this year. Ms. Veronica is introducing new curriculum to the older learners and there will be an additional work cycle added to the school day. This is the first year Gavin is one of the older learners. He is very excited and being an older learner will be great preparation for his new role at home as Big Brother. While I was in the shower this morning, Gavin came into the bathroom and told me this:

"Hey Mom, guess what?"

"What?"

"Did you know that I am an older learner now?"

"I did. That's very exciting. How was your first day as an older learner?"

"I held the hand of one of the younger learners and helped her get to the purple building." 

"What else did you do?"

"I did more during work cycles."

"Did Ms. Anita start the reading curriculum with you?"

"Not yet, but we talked about it.

Mom, did you know being an older learner is like being a big brother?"

"It is?"

"Yes. I'm an older learner. I'm big now."

I've been studying for the GRE lately. I am enrolled in an online prep course. Gavin likes to "do work with me" while I am studying. It's been difficult to foster his interest in studying with me and actually study at the same time. His teachers are putting together a packet of take-home assignments I can pull out during these moments so that he can work alongside me while still allowing me to do my work. I am excited to see what they put together. 

Special Visitors

This past weekend my mom and nephew came for an overnight visit. It's always a great (and exhausting) visit. We try to squeeze a lot into a short amount of time.

On Saturday we went to Barton Springs. A great swimming hole and authentic Austin experience. 

Afterward, we came home and the boys got cleaned up. Nana Kathy took them to see Planes in 3D while Casey and I stayed home and prepared dinner - cheeseburgers and French fries.

Then we settled in for a little Longhorn football and movie time. Gavin LOVES his big cousin and would not leave his side.

On Sunday we got up early for a kayak trip and walk around Town Lake. While Casey and Colton paddled to the dam, my mom, Gavin, and me walked to the Austin Science and Nature Center and across the Mopac pedestrian bridge.

We came home and made chorizo and egg tacos before taking naps and eventually hitting the bouncy house for a little dodgeball action. We look forward to  our next visit, as always.