Friends

Naomi had some friends over to play the other day -- two other girls her age and they had so much fun while their parents were out and about. We spent the whole evening playing outside -- swinging, picnicing, chasing cats, playing in the sandbox, and running! As a sidenote, you can notice Naomi's dress. I bought on a work trip to South Padre two years ago (while I was pregnant). It fits her now, and was the only thing she wanted to wear for two days! Mark wonders if this is how she'll dress when she's 80. :)

A conversation in the kitchen

We were discussing Joss Whedon and Firefly, Angel, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Mark: But he was no Donald P Bellasario.
Kristen: What? Who's Donald P Bellasario?
Mark: The producer of Magnum PI.

Duty

I recently finished reading The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham, and this passage struck me -- I think because I find it so challenging to do.

"Remember that it is nothing to do your duty, that is demanded of you and is no more meritorious than to wash your hands when they are dirty; the only thing that counts is the love of duty; when love and duty are one, then grace is in you and you will enjoy a happiness which passes all understanding."

Rodeo

Naomi was sick last week, and stayed home from school Wednesday and Thursday. By the weekend we were all needing some air and entertainment, so we headed to the rodeo fairgrounds Sunday morning. There was a petting zoo, a pony ride, and free ice cream cones! Naomi had her first pony ride and ice cream cone (yes she has had ice cream, but she carried the cone and ate almost the whole thing herself). We saw the pigs and lambs and steers the FFA kids were showing, sat in a teepee, and a cowboy gave us a biscuit and gravy mix. :)

Kite Festival!

Weekend before last we went to the Austin Kite Festival. I'm really glad we went -- sometimes I just assume things in Austin will be too crowded/difficult to get to, and so we don't do them. It was a perfectly windy day, we got a great parking spot, and there were some amazing kites! Plus it was down at Zilker park, so we walked a bit of the running trail to get there.

Naomi had a great time -- we made a kite, saw some friends, and saw lots and lots of kites. But the best part for Naomi was the popcorn. Really. I'm glad we live in Austin, and made it to the kite festival, so Naomi could experience kettle corn.