Bug catching.

He dug a hole with all his might. He let me help some but, this is his project. Mason jar in place. Hoping that when we check it tomorrow there will be some bugs who have taken a fall. I never thought I'd be crossing my fingers for creepy crawlers.

Lazy Sundays

Hoping tea drowns my case of homesickness. It seems contagious. I've got the rain. My books. A sleeping baby. Two boys blowing balloons outside this window. Tomorrow is a new day.

The sky has It's own plan.

Boys swimming at the blue hole.They Ignore the not so distant thunder but,not Nana. Finn watches in silence as the large grey clouds move in. The sky commands attention. It makes good on its promise and big ice cold drops fall. Caught in the rain. Laughing. Watching.Waiting. Sheltered by the public bathroom,watching Brodie dance in the rain. It felt so intimate. I was a part of it and I found myself missing the family that has yet to leave.

Austin nature and science center

A little slice of heaven. So peaceful. So educational. So free! Little hands and feet were kept busy with fossils,hikes,dino digs,and so much more. They even have an onsite preschool. Kudos to  Austin parks and recreation. We will be back.

Waivers and Breadcrumbs

 An air conditioned ranch house. Organic garden. Pool. Chicken coop.Preschool co-op with focus on community and nature. Well, sign us up.

 "This is soooo me," I kept thinking on the long but, beautiful drive. Spotted the red mailbox and pulled up the lengthy gravel drive way. A huge trampoline stood along side an organic garden.(swoon) Three chickens greeted us at the door.(They had Brodie at trampoline) The owner opened the door before we could knock.

 The house was filled with natural light. Decorated with children's art. I felt instantly calm, which is not easy, mind you, when you're sweating your ass off in 100 degree weather and a six month old is strapped to your chest.

 "The whole house is open to you." "Blah Blah." "Craft room." "Blah." "Just please sign the waiver."
Uh, waiver?
"Just a formality. Ya know because of the scorpions and snakes."
Well, Dorothy, we are not in California anymore.

 With her urging, we head to the first playroom. A large soft blue couch is inviting me. I make a b-line and sink in. It is not until I set Finn down on the ground and he begins to cry that I realize this is where toys come to die. It's a cluster fuck. The Cathedral-of-Junk preschool addition. 

Looks can be deceiving.

 As I watch B jump from bean bag to bean bag. I feel overstimulated. The "toys" are filthy, like dry booger filthy. Before I can beg the closest person for a Zanax, B wants to go outside. Yay snakes!

 When I see three contaminated cozy coupes turned on their side I feel lonely. Something about that scene feels likes a bad omen. The pool is inviting with a lovely moss green. Foam baseball bats lay next to  brightly colored tires. Broken hula hoops besprinkle the dirt. Swings dangle from trees and a hammock comes complete with a praying mantis. Look, I may have a touch of nature deficit disorder but, when an insect can turn it's ugly head to look at you...it's chilling.

He looks worried ..right?

 B wants to see the library. We creep past the chicken eggs and head to the books. We are shown to a cute little room with thousands of books, puzzles, and a cozy reading nook... Oh and a shit load of old food on the floor. The owner pushes said crumbs aside with her foot.

 "Get me out of here!"

 I loved the "idea" of this place but, I need a bit more structure and some Lysol wipes. 

 After having children, I am able to find the beauty in the mundane or uncomfortable situations such as these. Before escaping we watched an outdoor puppet show and B helped apply molasses to the garden to deter fire ants and promote growth.

Please excuse the finger, I was being stealth.

 When I drove back home with my overtired 3 year old and  overstimulated 6 month old I sighed with relief. There's no place like home, even if it's only been "home" for a month.