New sheriff in town

The ragamuffin quotient may have gone up a notch but the ducklings are thriving under the new regime. Exciting and long sought-after opportunities have taken me away from the nest more often, leaving daddy duck to rule the roost.

Rainy Day and Sculpey
Jedi vs Hulk
Rocket Launch

Roller Girl

If only she could sleep in them.

Sister's Stuff

Last Saturday night Cy snuck his toy saber and silly putty into my bag before we set out to see Ella Rae's BFF perform Ballet Folklorico at Zilker Park. Despite my best efforts little bits of grassy putty ended up in hair and the saber nearly blinded our unsuspecting neighbor, who also got a few fingers stomped when Cyrus joined in on the Dance of the Matchetes finale.

On Sunday Cy broke into Ella's Bendaroos stash. Bendaroos are second only to Floam on Ella's hierarchy of creative play options. In a not-so-distant past this behavior would have ended in fisticuffs but to my surprise Big Sis decided to make a Bendaroo mask for her Little Bro. And then she painted his toenails.

BOOdaroo
Blue little piggies

Changes

After the summer hiatus we've had such fun reconnecting with our school time buddies. My how everyone has grown. This theme continued as we observed the larvae/caterpillar/butterfly life cycle with the help of the Butterfly Garden Kit. When Ella learned that the Painted Ladies live for only two weeks after emerging from their chrysalises she was anxious to set them free.

School Shoes

2nd grader feet here. It gets only the teentsiest bit easier saying goodbye at the start of every school year.

Ellascapes

Ella's been whipping up hand-drawn thank you notes inspired by the recipient's environment and adorned with her signature sparkly gem in the right hand corner.

Pools & Boats

A few more summer pics to post before attention turns back to school.

not a care in the world
front flip
desert cacti, dog, ball, goggles, superman towel
on the river
sailing camp -- ready to rig
speed boat scamp on scamp

What would the world be without grandmas?

After decades of practice these angels on earth have honed the art of love and care. Thank you Grandma's for the countless kindnesses and generosity! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Grandma LizGrandma Roberta

Diverted and Delayed

While Mr Mooks drove the minivan back to Tejas from California, the chickens and I flew to North Carolina for the loafing, eating and sailing leg of our summer sojourn. Due to a major storm over Atlanta we endured a marathon adventure before the pleasure began.

Ella Rae took to commenting on flight updates with dramatic flair, "Mama! He just said that we are going to run out of fuel?" or "Why are we landing on a runway WITHOUT a terminal?" while Cyrus was busy creating a road block in the isle with his arm. He also gave passengers standing in line for the bathroom the evil eye, sometimes pointing and scrunching his nose for emphasis.

Once we landed tho, the chicks did me proud by running with their rolly totes and stuffed animals, holding steady on the jam-packed train and escalators to our connecting flight gate. I can't believe we made it -- seeing all those bodies lined up at customer service or resigned to the hard, dirty floor made my heart sink. We were all elated as we plopped into our seats, buckled up and broke out the last few, coveted tic tacs for take off.

Go Fish

Dog Days of Summer

If only they could talk....

"I love you, I love you, I love you... sshhh.. stop yelling my name.. and dragging me around by the collar... and teasing me with your chips and cookies... and putting that dumb hat on my head... and yelling my name... and chasing me and pulling my tail and ears... and hiding my toys and hiding your toys and... I love you, I love you..." Sophie Jones, Oriental, North Carolina
"Okay buddy, one more tow around the pool and then I need to get back to guarding my ball."
Boo Ridley, Tuscon, Arizona
"You must all stay together now! Wa..it...WAIT... not that way, all in a big pack together! Get back to the heard YOU.... Come back HERE... no... no... not like that... together in a nice, neat pack... NO, NO... together..." Coco Hartley, Pleasanton, California
"Time to put down the margarita and rub my belly!"
Pablo Papa, San Diego, California

Summer of Love

We are home! After 38 days on the road I am happy to report that the children have all of their digits and Mr Mooks and I are still married. More to come...

West Enfield Water Moccasins

have their first swim meet Saturday morning! Teeth chatter, lips turn blue and they make huge strides in ability and confidence every day!

Smiling with anticipation
Cold but still smiling
Spring water pump'in
Kick boards
Starts
Non Moccasin activities featuring earache art

Schools out for Summer!

My Grandaddy's wake and funeral in Georgia renewed my faith in the goodness and generosity of people. Like the preacher said, LBJ looked forward to returning to his Texas Hill Country ranch after living in the White House because, "in the country, people ask how you've been doing when you are sick and cry when you die." The folks that loved my Grandaddy were many and they all came to pay their gracious respects.

Sweet summer is in full swing in my own Hill Country home....

Cruising town
Leveling for the pool
Pool pony
Sandcastle cake

Ella illustrates early in the morning
... and spies a baby rat snake outside her bedroom window
Daddy day at the nature center

R.I.P. Grandaddy

My Grandaddy died at age 96 yesterday. He had a girlfriend, a house with a hot tub and a fast car. He loved nice cars and driving fast. Too fast. I've been thinking about the day he showed me how to widdle a dogwood tree branch into a tooth brush and how he looked like a little boy when he tipped his head back for a nap. And how sometimes his temper got the best of him -- especially on the golf course. And his voice and his stories and his colloquialisms. And cold cucumbers, sweet tea and fried chicken at his Sunday table. His humor and his intelligence and his bottomless optimism and how tight he would hug me to himself to say hello or goodbye or I love you.

The Center
With all us Grandchildren

Not a dry eye

If you know me even a little then there's a good chance you've seen me cry. I've embraced my tendency toward tears and have found many worthy weeping opportunities of late.

For one, The International Festival at Ella Rae's school in all its idyllic glory, where 32 countries are represented in the student body.

Flag ceremony
Pretty in pink
Beloved teacher and best friends
Ballet Folklórico
Attentive brothers
More tears shed during The Grapes of Wrath at Zach Theatre. Janelle Buchanon, A+ classroom parent and "the heart of this production" set a new bar for strong female characters with her portrayal of Ma Joad. I've never read Steinbeck's novel but the majority of the dialogue was taken directly from the text. The language is folksy and full of force. Nothing like a dust bowl saga to put the current economic climate in perspective.

My hero Ma Joad and brood
Last but not least Wilco's live recording of California Stars took me for a teary-eyed ride. The lyrics written by American folk legend Woody Guthrie and music composed by Wilco and Billy Bragg wash over you like a warm wave. Just a few days after this goodness gush I heard news of the untimely death of Jay Bennett, musical genius and former member of Wilco. Our friend Don, who shared musical collaboration and a roof with Jay eloquently wrote about his life for the press and on his blog Greedy Love. Certainly I'm not the first or the last to feel deep emotion while listening to this song, or the many others that Jay Bennett helped coax out and set free during his time on earth.

Jay and Woody