First bike ride

Wiley rode his own bike to school today for the first time. We're really looking forward to their school being closer again next year.

Light Show on Waller Creek

We left our usual chore- and project-filled weekend routine behind on Sunday evening and attended the last night of the "Creek Show" at Waller Creek, which flows through downtown Austin. The kids enjoyed looking at the light-based art installations and being able to interact with some of them.

Wiley’s First Piano Recital

Doesn't he look ready? He and his little friend Micah played together in the "Friendship Concert" put on by the kids' music school. See the video below.

Armageddon!!

Sigh... it's that time of year again when I realize Texans don't know what winter is. We had some rain last night and some freezing temps this morning, so of course, public schools are delayed by 2 hours and Portia's preschool is canceled. Heaven forbid there be any ice other than what comes out of the dispenser in the fridge...

Oh and that "light snow" they are showing in the screen shot below is fake news. Nary a flake in sight.

Another season in the books

Portia enjoyed her first season playing soccer on a real team! She had the most fun being silly with her teammates and celebrating team goals (regardless of who shot them). Optimum attention span is still only about 10 minutes... but her ball skills are definitely improving! And oh, is she ever proud of her medal. Ask her about it sometime!

Why, hello there!

This friendly neighbor greeted me on my bike ride to work this morning. He was hanging out in one of the more unkempt yards in the neighbourhood - which probably seemed more welcoming to him. We often see whole little herds of does and babies wandering the yards, but typically the bucks stay more out of sight. Not this morning!

A sign of the times

Paper encyclopedias are no longer "in." We found this pile on the curb outside our neighbours' house the other day. Portia can't believe people are throwing away books!

The Wall

We've been working on "the wall" since about the time Wiley was born, and it is finally "done".

Graydon's first deer hunt

Graydon and Daddy went on a youth-only TPWD hunt at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area this past weekend.  We didn't come home with any meat, but we had a great time and got to watch several impressive bucks.