April Album I: San Antonio

Oh, what a wonderful birthday month!  It started in San Antonio, where we basked in the sunshine with tons of playtime outdoors.  Before we arrived, I needed to buy shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and sandals for all of us.  It was strange not to be wearing our raincoats (or socks).  April in San Antonio is definitely the month to visit.
   
   
Leo got to meet his great-grandparents and great Aunt Mary - he enjoyed cuddle-time with everyone.  I loved taking these multiple-generation photos:
   

In the mornings, Leo liked to read the Express News with Nani and Gramps over coffee.

We also experienced a bit of San Antonio living: lots of trips to HEB (especially during sample Saturdays), visiting the zoo, and getting together with my old classmates from Texas A&M Landscape Architecture – Studio 99.

By the way, Dean was REALLY interested in looking at the animal pictures in the zoo map – we had to ask him to put it away so that he could enjoy the real animals.  He agreed to keep it in his pocket until lunchtime.  Here he’s planning our next route.

The night I met my friends from A&M, I realized in a panic that I needed Mom and Dad to accompany me.  I actually had thought I could manage my three kids at this restaurant/play-place on my own until about an hour before we got there.  I’m so grateful that my parents came with me… Thanks, Nani and Gramps! 
Look at us, twelve years and nine kids later.

One of the best events this month: Fiona became potty-trained!!  She had many cheerleaders to encourage her.  Mom and I giggled that she often declared from the potty, “I want Gramps!” 
More great events: Leo and I squeezed in as many naps as we could. 

We missed Matt terribly, but we made up for it with FaceTime phone calls almost daily. 
 
Our adventure in Texas continued on to my grandparents’ ranch in Kenedy and Padre Island…

a brighter day

I felt a little guilty writing such a grumpy post over the weekend.  My pregnancy is definitely slowing me down; at the same time I am feeling the pressure (self-imposed, of course) to complete some projects before the baby is born and to get the kids moving outside despite the unending rain.  Not exactly great odds for me,when I am trying to summon my inner (and outer) joy.  BE. JOY.  To top it off, I knew I had a long day ahead of me on Monday, a day in which Matthew not only doesn't have the holiday; he is skiing after work into the evening in a charity fundraiser.  Waaah me.

So, today, JOY be summoned - in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day - we took advantage of the free zoo day, we met a friend and her son, and we had a wonderful time!  The sun even came out!  We got home for a late lunch, a long nap, the kids enjoyed a nice bubble bath, a pajama party and we watched "Finding Nemo".  My favorite kind of day.