Simple joys, if not from the sky then from the garden hose

This summer has been without water. Without the ocean, without rain, without swimming (much), without dew, it seems. No moisture whatsoever.

So today we made our own, and it was amazing what a difference it makes in our spirits, just to have 'rain' falling in the middle of the day. I left Ransom to play in the backyard by himself for a while and coming back out, I couldn't help but join him in his work.
This little gardener has a lot to learn, but he's already got the right ideas... get outside, get your hands dirty (and your pants and shoes), work hard, and then sit down and play.

Can't wait for it to fall on it's own so we can really get wet...

Why.

"But tomorrow, dawn will come the way I picture her, barefoot and disheveled, standing outside my window in one of the fragile cotton dresses of the poor. She will look in at me with her thin arms extended, offering a handful of birdsong and a small cup of light."
— Billy Collins

The entire month of April in one post?!

An after the fact summary of April, for your viewing pleasure...

Bathtime

All of the unwinding, slow going, and quiet time we've been looking forward to all day. I love bath time! (and I think Ransom does, too)

Christmas Morn

This year was hands down my favorite Christmas morning that I can remember since I was a kid. We got up with Ransom and let him wander into the living room on his own, where we had set up his wagon and the few toys we got him. True to form, he crawled straight for the kitchen until we called his attention to the new goodies in the living room. He loved the wagon that my parents got him and pulled up on it as soon as his little legs got him within reach of it. We let him sit in it for a while and open a few things, then we got him settled playing with one new toy while I made breakfast. Oh, the deliciousness. I've been looking for a good recipe to take on as a traditional Christmas morning breakfast for our family and I think I hit it on the nose with the first one! We had (from scratch, of course) whole wheat cranberry waffles with fresh orange syrup and diced cranberry bits and Mexican hot chocolate with cinnamon sticks and vanilla whipped cream. SO good! I loved having access to the internet so I can steal recipes from people who know how to cook well :)

Today we took Ransom on his first ride in his wagon. It was a little chilly out, so we bundled him well and loaded him up with a quilt and pillow. He looked so snug and comfy that I had to climb in with him for the ride back. Papa was sweet enough to pull us both. What a doll... both of them.

merry merry merry

I have neglected the blog... again! Is anyone surprised? let's just get straight past the apology and to the updates and pictures!

This season we have been dashing from one gathering to another, seeing friends and family and enjoying the cooler weather when we're lucky enough to get a few hours of it. "Winter" in Texas looks very different than the visions of White Christmas I get every year, but in truth I really don't do well with snow. For vacation, yes; for every day living, no. So I'm thankful for my 60 degree Christmas, and raking leaves for the first time today because the yard hasn't needed it yet. Lovely.

Ransom has enjoyed his first winter season as well. He's gotten 4 teeth in the last 2 weeks, and is getting longer and leaner with all of the crawling, pulling up, and cruising around he's doing. No walking unassisted just yet, but I'm confident that he'll be toddling before his first birthday. Toddling like a toddler. I suppose at that point, the baby phase is done. I am thankful that for all of his thinning out, his cheeks have stayed as plump and plentiful as ever. Those cheeks will be the last bits of baby he keeps, I think. When they are gone I'll have to just get pregnant again :) Just kidding. sort of.

I'll leave you with pictures of our holidays so far... and post-Christmas and New Years I will add more as I can. I could promise to be better at this blog thing, but let's just leave it unsaid and see what happens. Then there are no broken promises ;)

best ride ever.

Yesterday, after work, Papa and I took Ransom to the bike store and bought his first bike helmet. We have been excited about getting the bike seat on and going for a family ride for a while. (this hasn't ever happened before, and the last time we rode together at all was early on in my pregnancy - maybe 3 or 4 months along, so it's well over due) I have to say, I had visions of popping the bike seat on, plopping him down in it, and riding off with ease. After opening the box (yes, it was still in it's box) I realized that we had some serious assembly before us. Lots of screws and bolts and bits to put together...so after assembling, taking apart, doing, undoing, reading instructions and abandoning instructions, we FINALLY got the thing put together and on my bike. SO cute! What did I ever do without that little co-pilot chair over my back wheel?


I have to say, my little man looked even more grown up in his helmet. He was thrilled about the entire process (talking excitedly in his jumper as we assembled it in front of him) and flapping his wings as we lowered him down into the seat. Oh, the joy! We probably could have just let him sit in it and never peddled anywhere and he would have been happy to kick his feet and chew on the handlebar. Instead, off we went!


Due to a ridiculous assembly time, we only had about 30 minutes before sunset. We spent it feeling the breeze, eating gnats, watching the wheels spin, kicking mama in the butt, tugging the back of her shirt, and singing. Perfection. It didn't even matter that his helmet slid down over his eyes about half way through. Looks like we'll need a few more adjustments, but here's the post ride happy boy!