It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

Christmas. What did you think I was going to say?

We spent all morning shopping for toys that I don't despise. I always have grand plans to make everything myself each year and I inevitably am thwarted by life. Ruby's doll is coming along though, wait until you see her hair! I'm glad I have kids because I love toys.

Togetherish Divine

I know all mommies say that motherhood is rewarding blah-di-blah blargh, but seriously. Guys. When two tadpoles that grew in my body turn into beautiful little persons, stop fighting for a few minutes and play together...? Actually play. It's freakin' magic and it makes my eyeballs go all hot and foggy.

Ruby Storms: A Self Portrait

Today Ruby painted her first self portrait. Note eyelashes, lipstick, matching earrings, and striped shirt.

Note mommy immediately posting to the internet and trying not to burst skin with pride.







Also I LOVE this guy and his bright ideas:
"Illustrator Dave DeVries started with a simple question: What would a child’s drawing look like if it were painted realistically?"

A Puzzle for Baxter

I saw a similar handmade puzzle in my 1970s craft book and decided to make one for sweet Baxter, firstborn of one of my oldest and best friends, Elise. He's burly, beautiful, and about to be a big brother!

Gather ingredients: wooden blocks of the same dimensions, 4 for small puzzle, 9 or 12 for large. (you can even use second hand alphabet blocks) pictures that make your eyes glad (I like to use national geographics from the 50s, family photos, old calendar art, and dust covers from my favorite children's books), glue, exacto knife, clear acrylic gloss.

Find pictures that fit your blocks when laid out in a square, trim to fit, glue it down, and when dry then carefully use the exacto knife to cut the blocks apart. (do front and back at the same time) When you have done this six times you have a lovely puzzle or just pretty building blocks. Use the acrylic gloss to seal it and give it shine. Babies love them because they are blocks, bigger kids love the challenge of a 6 sided puzzle. Sew a small carrying bag and you have a thoughtful gift made with love.











*family photo by the lovely miss james

Driskill Hotel: a brunch

The Driskill is the most sumptuous hotel in Texas. Built in 1886 it is resplendent with lore, celebs, chandeliers, and dolla dolla bills ya'll. I stayed here once during my globetrotting Shayla days but needless to say the record label footed el cheque and I'll probably never do it again.

I never know how to act in places like this. I am forever under dressed, so I just try to look like maybe I'm a famous and eccentric poet, hold my head high, and hope that no one notices that my tshirt reads "heartless bastards".

However, we ended up there for brunch and it was surprisingly affordable ($13), of course delicious (purple homefries!), and the wait staff seemed genuinely to like children and not to scorn us in any way. (this is rare) I would definitely recommend the Driskill brunch for when your parents are in town or if you fell asleep on 6th street the night before and managed to wake up with some dignity intact and 13 bucks plus tip still in your wallet.

I've been doing a lot a brunch reviews, but what we really eat at least three times a week are home-cooked gringa tacos: (I do it sober, with eggs, but same basic principle)

Mommy's day out

I never put any photo proof of the escape from mommyhood day that I had when Evan took the babies to Houston, it really did happen. We joined Pops at the swanky Driskill for brunch, then they all drove away.

Woohoo! I felt like William Wallace in Braveheart and wanted to paint my face fiercely blue and howl "FREEDOM!" but instead I called my Miranda- visiting from New York and swung by to get Jeff and we drank too much coffee, drove around town waiting for our favorite food trailer to open, took pictures of Miranda's old building destined for demolition, and sat on at least ten different patios absorbing vitamin D, caffeine, salsa, tacos, tecates, and the joy of a completely unproductive day.

We attempted to visit the East Austin Studio tour but got there just as they were closing up, ran into good friends at The Grackle and then alas, I had to go to work. Luckily, my job often feels like a party, so I rode my fake vacation all the way through 'til the next day and slept in like a slothful princess. (my first night without babies EVER)

My date with Ruby

Naptime. Gorgeous weather. Jungleman slumbering. Ruby picked the exact right moment to suggest "We can go for a walk? Adventure, Mommy!" How could I refuse? I caved like a poorly executed souffle, and I loved every second.

So, the nap skipping minx and I pumped up the tires of the off-roading wagon barrow and trotted off to the coffee shop.

We scoffed at the traditional lunch menu and instead chose a chocolate mint truffle, giant cookie and draught porter. Daytime decadence! We admired this month's art installment, tried out every seat in the house like a couple of silly Goldilox and Ruby snapped many photos of me and her glass of water.

We wandered leisurely back home and hopped in the car to go treasure hunting at the thrift store. We scored orange things, a dress for me, a hat for her, and a leather jacket to sacrifice to my scissors for a special christmas dolly.

Verdict? Highly successful small adventuring and I look forward to having more naughty bonding dates with my sweet intelligent little miss in the years to come. Chocolate for lunch? I guess I'm either the worst mommy....or the BEST MOMMY EVER.