There are few things I love more than perfect weather for eating outside and my home and yard simply bursting with people.
Last Sunday we had family dinner with all of the cousins. Matthew made them all feel like it was a party by providing every child with their own soda.
We grilled three whole chickens and some corn, had salad and crispy potatoes and strawberry shortcake. In the morning I had made scones for breakfast and they were so perfect we decided right there to make them again for dessert that evening as the base of our strawberry shortcake.
Even though it had rained and stormed all morning and even though the swing and hammock were soaked, they were enticing enough to keep all nine cousins happily occupied between courses. (Accidental courses since the grill could not handle three whole chickens the way it handled one chicken previously. So chicken came out after salad and veggies. Oops.)
Also I set out some rosemary parmesan popcorn when everyone arrived.
And then marshmallows over the fire for second dessert.
Requisite children in the bluebonnets photo.
Goldie locks.
In the hammock part 1: the curl.
In the hammock part 2: those eyes.
While cousins were in town we tried (kind of unsuccessfully) to join Great Grandma for Bingo Night. All we can say is that the other residents take Bingo way more serious than we anticipated...
More bluebonnet attempts.
Matt's sister said that trying to encourage her girls to smile for these photos was a bit like trying to explain to an alien what "smiling" means. Also, Theodore's face. He looks like he's having war flashbacks.
Love in the bluebonnets. Matt's brother and his wife.
"Do you think I look EXACTLY like Belle? If we went somewhere would something think I am Belle? Doesn't this outfit look just like Belle?" Her imagination and determination for accuracy is so much like mine when I was small. I remember believing quite strongly that when I would sing "A Whole New World" that I sounded EXACTLY like Jasmine. I got frustrated the same way she does if my dress wasn't exact or my hair wasn't exact. She is so much like me in this way.
All the cousins at the park. This was after Theo took a serious fall from an unknown height. No one saw him climb or fall. We all just heard the thud and the cries. My little one is so strong and courageous, he hasn't yet learned caution. While he was trying to climb out of the basket at Target the clerk said to him, "Your mom would prefer to see you live past this morning, Sit down son."
Waiting for the color palooza festival to start.
First stop, face painting with Grandpa. It's not like we don't get our faces painted all the time anyway. It still hasn't lost its novelty on the kids.
Cousin in the hamster ball.
She didn't understand the concept and would be pushed until she was up too high and then would fall. Halfway down the track she fell out of the hole, so we decided that was enough.
She wanted to ride the football so badly until she finally got up there. Then she was terrified.
Theodore looks like the spirit of summer in this photo.
Face paint and a corndog. Who could ask for anything more?
Delightful windy breakfast while Papa sleeps in.
Sadly, we didnt get any photos of ANOTHER set of cousins who came to spend the night on Friday. Vera loved having them to conduct around the yard and through her imaginary world. We had grilled prosciutto and sage and spinach pizza, white bean salad and zabaglione with berries. The weather was perfect. Texas in the spring is idyllic.
Quotes:
"My 'piggy' toe." (pinky toe)
"*Gasp* Jealousy would be a good name for me!"
Theo pointing at the moon, "Moo. Moo."
Me- "Moon. Do you see the moon?"
Theo- "Go. Go."
Me- "You want to go to the moon? Maybe someday little one."
Other words Theo says, "Blahnablah (while sticking his tongue in and out) = Banana" "Car" "Choo choo" "Crazy happy laughter = yes"
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