Avery on love...

"I love my brothers so much. I wouldn't have a life without them. I'd be destroyed."

Batkids

While reading Stellaluna (a story about fruit bats), Rhys got very excited and said, "Mama! When I was a bat, I had wings!" And Avery chimed in, "Yeah, I think I was a bat in my past life too." Who knew they had such exotic pasts!

Songwriter Rhys

All weekend, Rhys has entertained us with his original songs. They all have a common theme -- construction. What else would be song-worthy? The lyrics go something like, "Buillllllldings! I love to build buillllllldings! I use a scoop and a dumptruck and an excavatoooooooor...." When his song is finished and we've clapped and yelled our required "whooo!hoooo!" he is always sure to thank the audience. "Thank you, thank you!" he says, as he shakes our hands and leaves the room.

When he's not entertaining us with his Rhys-written songs, he's singing other songs that he loves. He gets out his guitar and sings us his favorites, namely "Long Time Gone" by the Dixie Chicks and "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani. B-A-N-A-N-A-S! At least he's learning to spell....

Rhys is such a sweet little guy. He says Griffin is his boy and calls me his "grrril" (girl). He'll be saying the same thing about me when he's 16, right?

Drum circle

Tonight, the kids and I went to a drum circle at the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum. It was really great. The kids got to try out different rhythm instruments, and Avery played an African drum. There was a huge crowd, including three other homeschooling families we know. Avery was so glad to run into her friends! Afterwards, we went to eat at EZs. According to the kids, it was the perfect night!

Dancing

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Rhys with his rhythm instrument

Avery and Maya

Avery drumming

Griffin, 3.5 months

This week we decided that Griffin was strong enough to try out the Exersaucer. He's been holding his head up pretty much since birth, and he tries to stand up whenever we hold him. So, Bill brought it down from the attic, and put Griffin in it. Boy, was it a hit! Griffin thought it was so fun to stand in there and bat at all the toys! He was so funny, he slowly turned around in his seat, talking and grackeling at each and every toy as he went by. The only problem was when he accidently grabbed onto one of the toy bars and couldn't remember how to let go. He was furious! He kept yelling and his hands, but they just wouldn't let go!

What a big boy!

Who, me??

Awww!

Reading his books

Hot Shot!

This week, Avery was invited to join the Hot Shots, an invitational class that is a precursor to the competitive gymnastics team. The class meets twice a week, for two hours each day. After much deliberating - ok, agonizing - we decided to go ahead and try it out. We worry that this is a lot of time spent in the gym for such a young kid, but Avery is very excited. So, we're giving it a try. Her first class is Tuesday, and she couldn't be more thrilled.

Ave and Griffie

Three babies!

Busy weekend!

We don't normally have much to do on the weekends while Daddy works, but this weekend was the exception! On Friday night, Mamar came to babysit the little boys while Avery and I went to a Harry Potter book release party in Georgetown. The city had blocked off some of the square downtown, and it was transformed into "Diagon Alley", complete with a wand shop, pubs serving butterbeer, and even a sorting hat! We had a great time looking at all the fun stuff to buy and eating lots of junk food. After we saw and did everything at the square, we went to the library, where they had more Harry Potter festivities. We were out late; we didn't get home until about 10:30. Rhys stayed up late at home playing with Mamar and watching a lumberjack competition (riveting TV, I hear), so we were all tired on Saturday!

Friday was also Papa's 60th birthday! Happy birthday, Papa! We didn't see him on Friday, but on Saturday we all went over in the evening for pizza, pie, and presents. (My three favorite Ps :) On Sunday, Avery's friend Ella came to play, and the girls had a blast. Mamar came over in the late afternoon, as she often does on the weekends. She entertains the kids or holds the baby so I can get things done. It's SO nice, and I really don't know how I'd manage every weekend without her help!

Griffin, 3 mos

Griffin, 3 mos

A conversation overheard today...

Avery got in a little trouble today and was in her room for time out. Rhys went in to check on her, and I overheard this conversation:

Rhys: I know it's hard, Rarey.
Avery: Yeah, it's very hard being a kid.
Rhys: How was your day, Rarey?
Avery strums her guitar, playing only low notes.
Rhys: That means bad.
Avery: Yes, it means bad.

This weekend, Avery made her first attempt to break into showbiz. We went down to the casting call for the movie version of "How to Eat Fried Worms". They were looking for kids to be extras in the movie. Avery heard about it at the Children's Day Art Park music a few weeks ago and was very excited. Well...it was a bust. We got there at about 1pm, and they had already closed the call because they had so many kids! Bummer. I guess Avery's big break will have to wait....

On Sunday, we went to a house concert at a friend's house. We saw Magpie, which is a musical group out of Washington D.C. They sang environmentally-friendly kids songs. We all had a great time! Avery and Rhys danced in the front with the other kids, and Griffin held up well for the whole show.

Construction foreman Rhys.

3 months old

Teething!

Stop! No more pictures!

Fun Day at the Children's Museum

Some friends of ours came in town this weekend from North Carolina. They came to explore the city, because they're considering moving here. Today we showed them around town and took them to the Children's Museum and out to eat. We all had a great time. Avery and Rhys both loved playing with their three year old. On the way home, I asked Rhys if he had a nice time, and his answer was, "With Justin? I LOVE him!"

The boys loved the ball exhibit.

Avery adored Justin!

Jammin' at Austin Kiddie Limits.

Photographer Daddy.

Sleepy GriffyGoo with Mama.

Daredevil!

So, I guess this is what people meant when they said that boys are different than girls?

This is what happens when Rhys plays outside by himself.