Lil Slugger

A small parade kicked off the spring sports in our area youth association. Little was so proud standing there with his t-ball friends. Here is to the next few months of some hot bleacher sun and late nights as the games begin this week!

GO GIANTS!




Sno -Beach

We now get to take our trailer train....summer style. I read that the greater Austin area alone has 30+ snow cone stands/trailers. So immediately after school we headed to what is known to have the "best snow" in Austin. Very light, fluffy...did not even seem like ice at all. And the kids devoured it to the very last drop!

No picnic benches so grab a curb, and a little to far (with busy streets) to walk to Zilker or Lady Bird Lake with kids. But definitely worth the stop and $2!





Easter Eggs!

We decided to tie-dye our eggs this month for Mobile Loaves & Fishes. The kids loved the outcome and it was super easy!




After the Storm

After our 1 rainy day and all our company left...the 5 of us managed to find some quiet time and enjoy each other!





Keeping Busy

So how does one keep 12 kids busy?

slime, gunk, painting, stepping stones, rock art, bug houses, rainbow cupcakes, nature walks...

You name it, we did it!





Spring Break 2010

1000 sq ft farm house
20 people
5 days
4 families
1 Unforgettable Spring Break!





Emma Long

When the weather man says "Today is the warmest day yet of 2010!"...of course we will take it all in. We met our cousins at Emma Long Metropolitan Park for some Lake Austin beach fun! Great sand for building, crystal clear water for wading, and acres of land pretty much vacant. The kids were not afraid to try out the water either, still a tad too cool for my liking.

Warm showers nearby for easy clean-up. Don't forget the soap and don't let your kids bury the sand toys bag...we never found it (thanks Big, great idea!)




A Lorax Day

"It all started way back...
such a long, long time back...
Way back in the days when the grass was still green
and the pond was still wet
and the clouds were still clean,
and the song of the Swomee-Swans rang out in space...
one morning, I came to this glorious place.
And I first saw the trees!"
- Dr. Seuss


Big and I had a date this morning for "Its my park day!" It’s My Park! Day is an annual community service day focused on improvements to Austin’s park system. We were at a park downtown where Mobile Loaves & Fishes distributes food to the homeless. After scooping and spreading mulch for 3 hours, we were beat. The live music and great snack kept us going but the greatest reward was seeing how beautiful the park was once we were done. And I was lucky enough to run into Jerry again, a homeless man I met while serving Christmas dinner downtown. He shook Big's hand and helped us load the wheelbarrow and tools into the truck. He has a killer smile (and story)!





























































After a quick and much needed shower, we grabbed Little and headed to the library for Dr. Seuss's birthday celebration. Art, crafts, and games kept the kids busy until Joe McDermott took the stage. The kids danced liked crazy and are ready for bed as much as I am now.