Little Feet

The other night, the house was dark expect for Sarah and I brushing our teeth in the bathroom. When we hear a quiet pitter-patter pitter-patter, and then who should appear but Miss Collins. Looking a little bleary eyed and confused about the whole "how did I get here" and "why is it so bright?"

She wasn't upset, just ready to go back bed. This isn't the first time she has gotten up, although it might be the first sneak attack. A few times recently Miriam has started to fuss and by the time one of us gets up to settle her down she is waiting just the other side of the bedroom door. Unfortunately, this can result in a very upset baby, if the door is flung open!

Watercolor Technique

HOW CUTE IS SHE? Pretty cute, if you ask me. She is *SO* focused while she paints her picture. I am always amazed at how serious kids are at this age about preference. It is so important to give her some things to choose, but it also is hysterical and out of hands. This is how we end up doing things like hiding shoes that are too small because otherwise CATASTROPHE. Also, gravity has gotten pretty heavy when she is dissatisfied.

So there you go. She goes to daycare, and they let her do fun things like art, and eating playdough. 

Terrible people who never post anything.

Yeah. That's us. Sorry. Life has been bananas.

The littlest Collins has been cutting these four front fangs forever. For actual ever. I am in no way exaggerating this. Hyperbole has no part. She is REAL ANGRY about it, and we can't fix it because I hear "helping" teeth cut through isn't allowed and it is THE WORST. She is seeing sleep like a hobby she can opt out of, and PS - Not A Hobby. I personally find myself QUITE COMMITTED to a regular practice of sleep that I am not getting. Not cool, baby. Not cool.

She is talking up a storm which is incredibly fun. She can say all sorts of funny things like "Other Side" and "Garbage yay!" and "Nononononon MINE." and "Margaret".... Because that is one of her classmates. She now has a classmate named Zachary so we're hoping that helps. She might have managed "Brother" for Z recently and we'll call that a solid try.

IT IS SUMMER HERE. Although summer is not like any summer we've seen before. It is raining. And thundering. And all over the place. People will probably set off fireworks tomorrow and not even have to worry quite so much about burning down all of Texas. We're calling it a win.

Zachary is touring the summer day camp circuit. Today is his last day of a month at Campfire Nature camp. They've gone on nature walks and learned to weave and stamp leather and played a lot of foursquare. Zachary has decided he's going to be a professional bird watcher.

He may have also asked for a destination birthday in which we went to see beautiful birds. Apparently it is ok if we need to use a plane. Thanks for that, kid.

Miriam & Z have a magnificent time together. Their favorite game is chase (with many variations) - including tackle chase, pillow toss chase, and endless scream chase. Weirdly it rarely ends in tears. Zachary is incredibly mindful, and Miriam can endure a throw pillow right in the face without trauma. Good job team.

OH NO THERE ARE NO PICTURES WITH THIS POST. Sorry. This weekend is the 4th of July. I promise we'll make memories AND pictures over the weekend.

Galveston beach

We had a wonderful weekend trip to Galveston. Miriam and Zachary had an amazing time, and we really enjoyed some relaxation time together. Here is to many more fun weekends ahead.

Cousin Ari and Aunty Debbie visit

Bevo Bash 2015

Spot Mr Z. Collins

Shoes

Miriam likes her shoes. She got several pairs in a huge bag of hand me downs. Her favorites are silver and sparkly. Recently, she has been picking them up, then she walks over and hands them over. Usually, I sit on the floor, and she turns around and backs up into my lap.

Recently she has abandoned busy Dada in favor of her big brother.....

3rd place is the luckest

Bowl A Thon Success!!

Together Sarah and I raised a bunch of money, and here I am bowling with Miri.

Little Tired Little Sick

Miri was sick a few weeks ago. Here she is, just so tired she collapsed back in her ball pit to rest.

around and around

Miri just learned to spin in circles, achievement unlocked!

She is not a fan of instructions. She prefers the stand n wiggle than the sit n spin!

Miriam's words

So Miriam can now recognize a bunch of words and even say a few. But English mastery is not quite there yet.

Some of Miri can say are;
Up
More (with baby signing too, thanks to the other daycare)
Please
Bubbles
Belly button
Eye
Dada
Mama
Baba
Dzadza
Water

She knows:
Spin (video coming soon)
Down
Sit
Chin
Mouth
Nose
Shoulders
Knees

Scene. Miri in the tub. Me supervision.
'Hey Sarah, I see what you mean about those spots on her thigh. Must be something she got from daycare.'
Miri reaches up and pokes me in the eye.
'Eye!'
'No Miri, not eye. Thigh!'

a selection of videos from the last month or so

Zachary can cartwheel!

Zachary was mucking around sliding around and trying to donkey kick... AND THEN HE DID A CARTWHEEL. This was about his third or fourth cartwheel. It was fantastic, he was so thrilled. (I was pretty damn impressed)

Water falls at pedernales falls state park, above. And below, one of twelve 100 million year old dinosaur footprints near Leander.

Dad I have a joke

Gone on then....
What sleeps on the day, bites necks, and puts out forest fires?
Uh.....
Um.....
Er.... I don't.... know.
Smokey the vampire bear

Always growing

Authors tea #2

Zachary reads his self published and illustrated work.