A MidSummer Workshop

Today we had a chance of pace at Casa T. L's mama had a workshop so she got to come over to play and brought her big sister! It's amazing what we got done with an older one around and I was diggin' this multi age thing with a 4 year old. We went on a nature walk, make suncatchers, created art with watercolors and acrylic, swung in the hammock, had water fun, assembled puzzles (that had 24+ pieces) read tons of books, and acted out a fairy tale. It was great because I had a little assistant help me fill the trays with water for watercoloring, help gather botanicals on our nature walk, help push Sophia in the hammock swing, and help me clean up. It was a fun filled day and makes me happy knowing that what I do brings much joy to little ones hearts.

This is what summer is about!

Best Shot Monday ~ Life Is Good

Today, for Father's Day, my honey wanted to go to the lake for his special day. So I rearranged our schedule and we were out at Lake Travis by 10:00. So, here's Sophia with her daddy walking down toward our jet-skis (that we're supposed to be selling). Even though she didn't get on the skis, she loved being in the water with him. It's time for father-daughter swim lessons.





And this simple saying that came from a water bottle, made me realize, that Life is Good, even with all the bumps and temporary hardships.



Our Life is Good.
Hope you all enjoyed this Father's Day.

A Thank You on Father's Day

Papa, I'm writing this because I realized I haven't written to you. Not since 1992.
And I want to thank you, on this special day of Father's Day.

I thank you for sacrificing so much for your young family, when you yourself were very young when you became a husband and a father.



I thank you for instilling a hard work ethic in me, and the virtue of perseverance...that if you put your mind and your heart to something, the possibilities are endless.

I thank you for giving me life changing experiences, even when I fought and resisted 90% of the time, especially during my teen years, and then got there to realize, oh...wow, you were right. Like here, when you took me on an exhilirating and thrilling rafting trip down Grand Canyon for over 3 weeks, and you found moments such as this, to let loose and be silly.



I also thank you, for fighting to have your time with your children.

And this photo, taken just the week before you flew off into the horizon, after many years, finally gave me comfort because you died doing what you loved, which was flying.



After many years of unyielding pain and anger, I've made peace with what's happened. The saying, 'Time Heals all Wounds', is true, but to a certain extent. The wound is healed, however, there's a scar and I still miss you. More than you can imagine.

Happy Father's Day, Papa.

The Payoff

After a torturous week of rush hour traffic and 20+ hours in my car (10 hours of that with a toddler), and being super close to cutting the umbilical cord to my teen, I got the redemption I needed this morning. A beautiful musical brass performance by young musicians from all over Austin.

What's unique about the Brass Institute is (and as Domi puts it), the students are not 'dictated' to, the directors foster creativity, and they didn't have to waste valuable time on discipline and thus, all the time was focused on the music. The environment was relaxed and casual, yet the music was bold and refined.

I had a challenging time capturing shots since Domi's placement was on the opposite end of where I was sitting and the lighting was terrible, but this first one (which I almost deleted), I especially like. He's the one one the far left.







And a heartfelt thank you to Adrian, Domi's private lesson instructor. Domi is beginning his 5th year with Mr. Griffin because he saw potential in my son. When he left his position with the public schools and accepted a position at the University of Texas in San Antonio, he only took two of his private lesson students with him for continuation of lessons. And Domi was one of them. I respect his pedagogy, and appreciate the way he teaches, his guidance, the support, the motivation, and mostly, the patience, he has given throughout the years.

Thursday Therapy

Ok, so instead of a sweet sappy Love Thursday post, I'm posting a polar opposite topic, Thursday Therapy!!

Let me tell you about my crappy Thursday.

I've been spending the last week chauffeuring my son to his brass institute camp on the other side of creation. I'm NOT complaining about that part because this is an amazing opportunity for him and the experience did wonders for him last summer (and I'll do anything for my kids, even if it means spending 20+ hours a week in my damn gas guzzling car).

BUT!

I've been dealing with Austin's rush hour, FOUR times a day, which is absolutely MAD.

It's ridiculous.

It was NOT like this when I commuted to central Austin when I was a student at UT and working downtown. Now I understand road rage. How do you people deal with this on a daily basis!?! This is what I've been sitting in all week.





This combined with the $70 it took to fill up my tank this week (which is now empty).

Oh, and then this stupid number I accidentally did to a parked car last night...




...makes me want to get a friggin' moped!


And no worries, the guy has all my insurance information.

Some recent Domi-isms...

Handmade invites to his birthday celebration. Made last minute (and in about 30 minutes).
Each invite had a different 'personalized' drawing on the back.


A recent attempt at baking homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Third try. Getting better.
Next time he understands to follow baking directions very closely.
And if the recipe calls for 3 cups of flour, then you use 3 cups, instead of one (because we ran out).


Can you tell he's just SO excited to have me take his picture here?
But I just loved this piece of work I couldn't resist the mamarazzi moment.

Español para Niños

I hosted my first Español para Niños (Spanish themed playdate) today with the O'Mamas. I wasn't sure how to organize such a playdate as my usual playdates are art-based, spontaneous and free-formesque.

I figured the most exciting and fun way to introduce kids to Spanish would be through simple songs and books. I showed them the colors in Spanish and we made popsicle books with the colores en español. Inside the books, the mamas wrote in the color words in English and then in Spanish and the the kids rubbed the colors on each corresponding page. Then, I gathered the kids and mamas inside and had us sit in a circle for some music and singing time. I pulled out the basket of maracas and eggshakers for the kiddies and passed out the lyrics and notes to the mamas and put on the music. This is the part where the kids get really excited right?

Wrong!

I have never seen kids scatter so quickly. They had NO interest in singing along to our bilingual song.
None. Nada. Zilch.

So, us mamas were left singing to ourselves while Sophia rolled on the floor fussing and wailing, "Off! Off!" and the rest of the kids occupied themselves with other things. The only one who went along with the music was Stephanie's youngest. (You made my day C!)

I'm going to try this again and next week focus on numbers and animals and hope that the kids will take to the music portion better.

Shots below by Melissa

Best Shot Monday ~ Prosper

Received these lovely tulips from mama Andrea and her lil' man on his last day at Casa T since I'm closing for the summer and he'll be starting at a new school this week. Like this tulip, he was once a small seedling waiting to grow. He soaked up all the food I gave him, and has now blossomed into a vibrant and bold flower. And I hope I have helped provide him the strong roots to continue to discover and be creative as he continues to flourish and evolve.






For more Best Shot Monday images, visit Mother May I.

Happy Birthday Mandy!

Joined my longtime pal, Mandy, to celebrate her birthday. I met her the summer after I graduated from UT and she was fresh out of high school - a total pup. Over a decade later, she's still one of my true friends. She's the type of friend who will help you move a big ass armoir into your place and then help you move it back out when you and your boyfriend break up. And then help you move it back in when you get back together. Or the type of friend who will jump in the car with you last minute for a weekend drive to Louisiana to find the 'right' wedding dress.

We were joined in this festive evening by her hubby, family, and a few old school friends.











Happy Birthday to you~
Love ya!

Happy 16th to my Corazón

My eldest is now 16. Old enough to get a driver's license and old enough to get a job.

Seems just yesterday, he was a little boy learning how to ride a bike and learning how to write his name.

And I was the center of his universe.

Now he's playing music at the sonatina level and creating the most beautiful art. He's preparing for a life that will one day be outside of ours. I know I still have a few more years with him, but my heart still aches thinking about when that time will come.

For now, I will do my very best to guide him, teach him, and help him be prepared to fly when he's ready to leave my nest.

Art with Acrylic

We played around with new mediums today -- acrylic paint and canvas. O'Mama Sara hosted an art playdate and the kiddies made something special for their daddies. I'm not postin' images of our final products so not to ruin any Father's Day surprises.

Best Shot Monday ~ Past and Present

The images I share for my BSM were taken a couple weeks ago while visiting a friend's 100 year old home that they recently purchased. I love things vintage and am incredibly drawn to historic places and homes, so naturally I end up taking photos of such things.

The chipped fence that has surrounded this home for probably a century, I found charming. And then the classic, wooden toy that's probably older than I am, which I'm certain has given many children countless hours of joy, I loved. These shots are to honor the past and present, and to keeping the balance of both.





For more magical shots, visit Tracey at Mother May I.