bouncy castle madness!

there is a new childhood epidemic... the upscale bouncy castle. we've encountered 2 within 3 days time, neither being expected. 

at least when the above video was taken (at the daycare's fall festival), I didn't have to get in. not so lucky at the zoo... (they also had a magician. and country music. it was a weird day at the zoo.) 

I'm pretty sure my brother took this just so he could mock me later.  it's a little remniscent of a wrestling move, no?

I wasn't planning to take my shoes off at the zoo...

the giant smiles were worth it, though. 

now onto much more exciting and grown-up things...

it's Halloween! time to play hide-the-zombie-arm!

MAYbe I'll catch up on blogging soon

May was pretty low-key.  Lots of trips to the zoo. Scott's parents came to play in the Milk Bank's annual golf tournament (Scott's mom won "longest drive" to the chagrin of the 99% male golfers - ha ha!) and stayed for Mother's Day.  Scott and I fixed brunch for our moms, and I was spoiled rotten (highlights: Clara made me a painting; my dad sent a yummy edible arrangement; in-laws gave me a "nifty fifty" lens for my camera; my mom gave me a Wolfe Pottery bird; and Scott made a mindblowing vegan caesar dressing).

So far June has been lazy and warm. We attended/semi-helped-host a block party at which Clara discovered the joy of watermelon on the rind.  I've been doing a lot of soul-searching about my career path.  We're gearing up for our annual beach trip in late July.

More on all that soon. For now, here's May in pics:

loves her kitty slippers

playing in the eagle's nest at the science museum

three generations, mother's day
(also, this begins the period known as A.L. - after [awesome, new] lens)

worn out from making everyone do "jazz hands" at breakfast

independent at the zoo

"hiss cat" face

back at the zoo w/uncle Jeremy

mirror lake

Cell phone pics:

mama's (very) old toy!

future archaeologist

Hope everyone has a great week!
-G.

April

Before we get to the toddler antics of May (night terrors! tomato tantrums!), here's a recap of April in pics. Clara had her 15-month well-visit in April and was 22 pounds (40ish percentile) and 31 inches (60ish percentile). She was no longer anemic, thanks to a near-daily dose of kidney/black beans.  Her language has exploded in the last few weeks, but was still slow-going in April, though she did add "owl." She also had 2 of the 3 hardcore tantrums she's had to date in April, one over having to wear shoes, and one over being forced (by mama) to vacate the driveway of a house where some friendly dogs live that she likes to harass (indefinitely, if you'll let her).  Overall, though, she was still a fun, sweet girl in April :)   Caution: a toooon of pics ahead:

playing in her tent

Easter at my mom's house

my little gardener, playing in the dirt. LOVE this pic of her!

annoying Gracie in the tent

playing "turbo baby" (racing dada down the hill)

she takes the Easter basket everywhere

too cool to ride / at the zoo

checking out the flamingos (her fave)

she saw the flamingos from this far off and went running

trying to climb into the duck exhibit

final goodbye to our old friend

this dirt party went on for awhile :)

at a birthday party at Pump-it-Up

My family has a crazy Easter egg decorating contest every year. (You can read about past entries at my old gardening blog.)   Here's my flamingo from this year:

in honor of old friends lost this year

the other Easter tradition: bunny cake!

Scott's Tiger Woods

Tiger's accessories (mad wife and golf clubs/bag)

reading with Nana



reading to Gracie about her cousins



Have a great week!

G.

PS- I added a couple of videos from March to my last post, so check them out if you're still reading (ha)/so inclined

PPS - Otis' grave-marker came from this shop. We love it.

our favorite place

It's a poorly kept secret that Scott and I want to live in New Orleans someday. A couple of weeks ago, we took Clara for a couple of nights - her first time there. It was very different from when we visited before she came along (those days were filled with swanky restaurants, browsing art galleries, and a lot more alcohol). Still, we loved being there as a family and, per usual, can't wait to go back.
These are out of order (sorry). Most are from the zoo (amazing), some from the kids' museum (not amazing, though she loved it), others as noted:

{pointing at chimpanzees}

{seconds after seeing a sea lion for the first time}

{trying to climb in the sea lion tank}

{feeding a giraffe}

mmmm, theo's pizza {a fave of mama and dada; on magazine st}

this is the life! {suite @ the Loews}

{miss independent}

{on the way home}

{feeding surfboards to a whale at Lucy's..   good kids' menu there - and 'ritas.}

{trying to climb in the aviary}

{playing drums on a (very patient) goat}

{getting reacquainted with my old friend, abita strawberry}

{listening to jazz with dada}

{mama and dada's fave greasy breakfast spot. very toddler friendly}