Sports

We've officially made the switch from gymnastics to pursuits more fitting a leggy competitor like Ella. She smiled through basketball camp last spring, reveling in her 'only girl' status and now she has embraced volleyball, despite their losing streak. With Big CJ assisting the coach and little CJ retrieving balls, it has become a family affair.

Activities involving a ball and a tangible score are so much more engaging for me than the performance variety, and truthfully I'm not the sort of mother that can sustain extracurricular activities that don't provide enjoyment for the family players too. Like every loving parent, I hope that my children find something that steals their hearts and brings them joy and success and a feeling of purpose -- and if all goes well it will be something that I like too.

joneses take to the gym

Blanco es bueno

Similar to the way Californians have ties to ski lodges and beach houses, most Texans have a ranch somewhere in the friends and family tree. An untold number are dedicated to hunting, but not this gorgeous stretch of ranch land on the Blanco River. This parcel is for peace and pleasure. The stair-stepped limestone ledges and shelves made for the perfect ascent into the warm, clear water. For shade we had Juniper, Oak, Mesquite, Cedar, Bald Cypress, Oak and Elm trees to thank. There were NO mosquitoes. I repeat NO mosquitoes -- and an actual breeze. I haven't felt a breeze since last May, so just sitting outside without sweating or swatting was a joy. Thanks P for sharing this little slice of heaven.

look a perch
hundreds of tiny frog friends

mesquite on the grill
+ breeze - bugs = : )