Itsy Bitsy Spider

Okay, not so itsy bitsy and on my front porch! The second one this week on our street but comparing to our summer critters (copper heads, rattlers, coral snakes, scorpions) is a tarantula really that bad? Most tarantulas are not strongly venomous to humans. Maybe not but as I tell my kids, "my favorite kind of snake is a dead snake!" and I feel the same about BIG hairy spiders. I let this lucky one get away (maybe because I was barefoot and not to mention the nightmares that are now expected tonight). Can someone please remind me why we wanted to back up to a greenbelt in the hill country...maybe he just likes my Halloween decorations?

Lazy Saturday

With my best friend and her kids in town for the weekend, we had to plan according to the weather. Blessed with a nice Saturday morning, we loaded up the 5 kids and headed downtown to the Austin Nature & Science Center. Some hands on play and learn, digging in the dino pit, looking at the "rescued" animals, and a hike to one of our favorite look out points for a snack. We even met up with our neighbors. Unfortunately, the younger ones were ready for a nap so we skipped the trailer lunch...maybe tomorrow!

Another camera

The only negative about the triathlon Sunday was the super short course...negative from a parents view but great for the young racers. Try catching both boys on all courses with limited sideline access in less than 10 minutes. Pretty much impossible. Thank goodness for friends with cameras! Here are a few more pics:

Coolhaus

After enjoying lunch at the legendary Juan In a Million, we tracked down the newest food truck in the city. Coolhaus is a create your own ice cream sandwich truck. Pick your cookie (chocolate, chocolate chip, oatmeal, or snickerdoodle) and name the ice cream filling (Mexican chocolate, dirty mint, lemon peel, candied bacon, balsamic fig, or vanilla bean & lambrusco). Wrap and serve in an edible wrapper then try to eat it faster than the sun melts it!

Our First Triathlon

The boys have done many running races and one muddy race, but this morning was their first triathlon! Colin's Hope promotes water safety in our community and educates children, parents and lifeguards on drowning prevention. It was a very proud "Mommy Moment" for me and the kids had a blast. With both falling in the Rookie group this year, their swim was 25 meters, bike 1/2 a mile, and run 500 meters. They both finished in under 10 minutes. I think we ran more trying to get photos.

HOT & HUMID

Nothing like a hot and humid day at the park after school, but we have missed our cousins. When school really does rule the schedule, making time for friends and family becomes difficult. We met our kinder cousins for some quality play time and left just in time to miss the down pour. In a short hour we crammed in 2 parks, walked the rocks (and only had one casualty), fed the not-so-hungry ducks, and put up with one very temperamental, "I need a nap" 2 year old!

Hello Hermine

Crazy rain in central Texas from Tropical Storm Hermine...12 inches in the past 24 hours and more to come! Nothing like an afternoon of foil boat races when the kids are home from school.

LaDay 2010

We have not visited the farm all summer, so we were really looking forward to this 3 day weekend. We had an amazing time as we found the largest stick bug ever, rode our bikes over ramps, painted the tree house (and ourself), fed the cows treats, swam in the cold tub, and enjoyed a visit with Grandma and Grandpa along with our favorite 4 legged furry uncles!

NEVER a dull moment with me...

My mom has told me to "slow down" for as long as I can remember. I don't slow down and I doubt I ever will. She also said there is "never a dull moment" when I am around. Looking back at the past 467 blog posts over the last 4 1/2 years, I just see it as living a really exciting life!

Today was one of the best...I went in for one last microphlebectomy. Picked up Fran from school and headed out on a few errands. Our last stop, the local HEB for some veggies. Just as we were entering the store, I 'sprung a leak!' One of the sites the doc yanked my vein out of popped and I found myself standing in a puddle of blood. My nursing instincts kicked in and yes, I lifted up my dress to immediately apply pressure. Imagine all the faces of people passing....lady with dress up (exposing nothing) standing in a pool of blood with a 2 1/2 year old at my side? Some one brought me a chair (I refused to go inside and cause a scene there) and I elevated the extremity, still applying pressure. I called my husband (no answer). Then called my doc. With the office less than a block away I hobbled into my car and was cleaned and redressed there. Good as new now!

Even found time to take the kids for some summer play to the fountains after school. Feeling bored? Hang with us for a day!