Aaaaah....cho!

The weather is almost (almost!) perfect today. It is 75 and sunny and just lovely for January. The reason it isn't totally perfect is when it is like this in January, it makes the cedar pollen explode and go nuts. So the pollen count is over 18,000 and anyone who breathes is basically suffering here in central Texas.
But we couldn't avoid being outside in the warm sunshine, so we braved the allergens and headed into the yard for some playtime. (Those of you who do not live here are probably laughing at the drama of this cedar pollen. Trust me, those who do live here are not laughing at all.)
Reese frolicked all over the yard. In a strange, mismatched outfit.






Greta gets in on it as well.


It is a bittersweet realization that the weather will be like this most of the week. On the one hand, the rest of the country is is negative numerals, buried under feet of snow. Then again, we'll have to see how high this pollen count gets. I am so jealous of my parents, who have the good sense to escape Austin every January and "ride out" the cedar on the island of Kauai. Aloha, Mom and Dad!

Fighting for their rights

This is basically what our past 24 hours have looked like. How 'bout yours?
So, we went to the farm and had a wonderful time and neither of us brought our cameras. We have no visual proof, but you'll have to take our word for it. Also, it should be mentioned we got a Wii for Christmas and David purchased Guitar Hero. At the farm, David, Bain, Blake and Blaise played A LOT of Guitar Hero. And David continued that upon our return.
Ready to rock out.

Reese provides masterful dance sequences throughout the performances.

Sometimes they border on the vaudeville/burlesque side...

But mainly, there's a whole lot of jumping and flailing of arms.



Sometimes it gets intense.

Other times, maracas seem like the right addition.


David: "You're really going to blog about this?" Silly, silly, silly question.

I have to admit, a lot of Reese's moves bear a frightening resemblance to my dance moves from the college days.



"Daddy, I'm tired of this song. I want a new one."

Everyone gets in on the music. Note Greta stealthily chewing the maracas on the side.

Pink dogs and sexy boys

Last night, Reese announced she was making a "pink Labradoodle" out of tissue paper. Over the past week or so, she keeps saying things like, "I wish, I wish with all my heart...that we could have ANOTHER doggie!" When pressed on the topic, she confesses that she is worried about Greta's lack of canine friends.
Here's a glimpse of exactly what is entailed when making a pink Labradoodle out of tissue paper. Apparently, you have to keep the paper flat. I did not do that and was told in no uncertain terms how off course I was.



This is what Greta thought of the whole activity.

Reese had an animated phone chat with Ma Pam and Papa last night. They are in Kauai for 3 weeks and were in the midst of some huge wind storm. Here's R's reaction when they told her they got her some new jibbitz for her crocs. Of course, she could not fathom why she couldn't have them rightnow!

I love all the gesturing that goes on when she's on the phone. It's really funny!


This is what David is wearing right this moment to go on a walk in our neighborhood. I kid you not.

Here we go, headed out on our walk. I wonder how many honks we'll get.

Talkin' about the Midnight Rambler

Happy New Year! Clearly, blogging wasn't at the top of my NY resolutions list. Actually, I didn't really make any hard and fast resos this year. I am going to try to organize and plan our weekly meals at home better this year. Let's see how that is working out...hmmm, we've eaten out, oh, every single meal this week. So, it's going really well! Ahem.
Here are some pics of R cooking up a storm (at least someone in our house is doing it) in her new pink kitchen, which we now have thanks to Senor Claus.

She was making "cookies" but quickly got distracted by the Rolling Stones on TV. Much dancing ensued.

Also, Mommy thought it would be hysterical to have R pose with her tongue out, you know the Stones and all.

You can see how well that turned out.

Reese actually got tired of Mommy demanding that she stick out her tongue.

Reese and Mick, jamming out.

Fluffy furball cutie.

How can you say no to a face like that? Needless to say, Greta gets up on the couch a lot.

between toddler antics and puppy messes, I feel like I am running around nonstop. Oh fine, I have also been obsessively reading the Twilight series. Yes, it's "Young Adult" literature about vampire love. Laugh all you want, it completely sucks (har har) you in. So I am almost done with the 3rd out of 4 books. I do recommend the books; I strongly do NOT recommend the movie. That's my $.02.
Off to chase children and canines and squeeze in some more reading.