Cousins Kelli & Ella come to town

Bath time

Blowing bubbles

My cousin Kelli and her sweet little girl Ella came for a visit and we were supposed to go to Sea World but it was 105 degrees and I backed out and promised other fun activities. So we swam, went to Kiddie Acres Amusement park (my camera crapped out) and we went to the Little Lounge Lizards Dance Party. This is held at Qua, a bar on 4th street between Oil Can Harry's and another Rainbow bar on Saturday afternoons for families and their kids under 10. There is a shark tank in the floor upon which you dance - it is crazy! Our neighbors joined us for some dancing fun!

My ongoing lifelong goal is to have more patience with Miss A. When we arrived at the dance party it was nap time and she was fussy and tired. I was frustrated because I thought she would love the place. What I have to remember once again... is that Ash takes 1 full hour to warm up to anything new. There is nothing wrong with this but I keep forgetting her mojo. So 1 hr into the party - she was a dancing machine. I love that little mess!

The other fun thing about the weekend was that this was the 1st time that the 9 months age difference between Ella and Ash was nonexistent even though Ashton is way shorter and Ella still thought she was younger

Great visit! Sea World in October!

Austin Children's Day @ Symphony Square

Every Wednesday morning in the Summer, Austin hosts children's performers at Symphony Square for the cost of $50. It is a neat location and the idea is to get children to love music. There is a place where you can hold, touch and play all types of instruments. Bubbles, lemonade, face painting and arts & crafts. I am usually working but randomly had the morning off and enjoyed the day very much with Cortney & Kate and Samantha & CoCo. It was terribly hot even @ 9:30a but the kids still loved Joe McDermotts silly songs and the clowns (Ash is no longer scared). We followed up with lunch at Whole Foods on the rooftop deck so they could run wild and look down over 6th street. Overall, a neat low cost activity for families.

Sweet Baby Sydney Plum Smith

Mommy & Daddy & baby Sydney

Miss Sydney Plum is the adorable new baby of my lifelong friend Amy and her fabulous hubby Brad. Amy and I grew up together on 95th Street in Lubbock and spent 5 million hours together from the time we were 3 until we were 15. Amy and I now both live in the Austin area and have reconnected and it has been so wonderful to share such a special time in her life. Her daughter looks so much like her and she is just precious. Can't wait for her to grow up so she and Ash can make wonderful memories like Amy and I treasure!

4th of July Weekend

Lounging & watching Monsters Inc with Miss CoCo

Hey Cupcake! (fabulous Carrot Cake cupcakes ~ We took Tyler for his birthday but it was soooo hot that he wanted a snow cone from the trailer next door - gotta love South Congress!!! )

Going out like grownups to see Tyler & my friend Josh Bain sing at the "Tiniest Bar in Texas" on 5th street

Neighborhood Bike Parade - this year we were spectators but if all goes well... Ash will ride her new barbie bike from Uncle Ryan in next years parade!

Bouncing with CoCo

Dancing to the tunes on our neighbors deck and watching fireworks

4th of July was a great weekend! Friday Tyler and Nikki came in town to hang with us before heading off to a party boat on Lake Austin on Saturday. Saturday we attended our neighborhood parade, barbecue and had a wonderful dinner, drinks and fireworks at our favorite neighbors house. Nice relaxing weekend celebrating America's Independence!!