Our Village

Our garbage disposal went kaput last week, and our dear friend, Aubrey Power of the illustrious Power Family, came to our rescue.  He spent the morning installing our new disposer and changing out the crusty old pipes for shiny new ones!   He brought his daughter Eleanor (who was one of my first doula babies) to help out.

Here is our savior and his assistant - the littlest plumber.

Yesterday, the Smiths came over for an afternoon romp in the back yard.  The adults enjoyed much deserved gin and tonics while Mackey and Walker played with sand and water. 

Sweet baby Chashel giving a grin!

Mackey just celebrated her 2nd birthday last week...

(Another one of my doula babies!)

Proud papa!

Coffee Park on a Wednesday

Little Princes

Jack was home from work before noon today, so we decided to blow through Walker's nap and head to the Arboretum for a picnic.  Today was perhaps the most gorgeous day we've ever seen in Dallas.  Every spring, the Arboretum builds five or six themed play structures for the kids.  This spring they built Fairytale castles.  The one below is Sleeping Beauty's castle.  Walker loved it!

Walker also loved being carted around in this wagon.

He decided to give Daddy a break and switch out the wagon.

As usual, Charlie was staying cool in his stroller.

...and Walker was staying cool in the water fountain!

Just a quick update on Charlie:  All is well and Charlie seems physically stronger and more focused than ever.  He is still biting and pulling while nursing, so he and I have made a compromise.  I'm only nursing him a few times a day and to supplement, he gets two to three bottles of formula a day.  This has been a rough transition for me.  I nursed Walker happily and easily (well, mostly easily) for 21 months and was expecting to do the same with Charlie.  However, I am happy that we've found a happy medium.  Charlie gets nourished with both breast milk and formula and I save myself from bites, blisters, bruises and bummed out boobies. 

Monday Morning

Today, Walker and I did some collaborative painting.  I painted the black background and he painted the white bits.  Here are some quick and out-of -ocus snap shots of his work:

Finished product!

Charlie lounged in bed while we painted:

Happy Dance

We've had a very busy week filled with beautiful weather.  Grandma Happy has been here for 5 days and we've been celebrating the glorious weather with some outdoor projects.  Walker has kind of outgrown his little sandbox.  The little turtle has a hard time holding one big boy, four dump trucks and a supervising adult.  So, Happy built a new box for Walker's sand creations.  Amazing woman!  Here are the new digs!

Before my Mama left today, we took these sweet photos of her and the boys.  You'll notice that our door is sporting a snazzy new color!  Another one of Happy's magical makeovers!

Here was the door before...

Mama - thank you for the week.  It was wonderful.  

I miss you already and look forward to some farm time this summer.  

XOXOXO

Charlie is 8 Months Old!

We had a lovely weekend, out enjoying Dallas in springtime. We hit the park this weekend (a few times) to let Walker ride laps. Charlie and I set up a blanket on the grass because keeping up with Walker is harder than you might think.