Zilker Zephyr

The kids were thrilled to ride the train in Zilker Park this morning.



 

Language Developments

Daphne has started using a few phrases:

• Where go?
• Let's go
• More please (pronounced "more peas")

You can tell that Daphne has lots more to say and is adding new words all the time. This weekend she started saying "PawPaw" and "hot". Daphne is also getting more emphatic with the use of the word "no". I think "no" and "mine" are tied for her favorite word.

Houston Zoo

My dad watched the kids on Thursday and most of Friday while I was at a conference in Houston. He took them to the zoo on Thursday. Several people asked him if he was there by himself with the kids. They were impressed that PawPaw could keep up with both little ones. The kids had a blast! And even though my dad brought the wagon, he said Daphne walked most of the time and was quite a trooper.

Meerkat

Made in the shade

Apparently the zoo just recently opened a splash pad. Since
they didn't bring swimsuits Tyler just took off his shirt and
shoes and went in. Daphne watched with my dad since she
didn't have a swim diaper.

Cotton candy heaven

Pioneer Farms

On Sunday we took advantage of cooler temperatures (high in the low 80s) and Austin's free museum day and went out to Pioneer Farms to find out what life was like in the 1800s. Tyler was not impressed by the lack of toys and TV. He also couldn't imagine sleeping in a loft with 12 siblings like the loft we saw in one of the 1-room houses. It really makes you appreciate modern technology and construction!

Transportation long before there were car seats

Daphne loved seeing all the animals

How about a shout out to all the parents
who had to potty train their kids before
modern plumbing came about?

Teepee time

Tyler and Daphne both really liked
feeding hay to the donkeys

Awwwww!

Last night Tyler proclaimed, "Snuggling with Mommy is the funnest thing ever!"

Go Figure!

Tyler is your typical picky eater kid and frequently turns up his nose at the meals I make. But apparently free Thai BBQ chicken on a toothpick from a stranger in the mall food court is "very yummy".

TV

Tyler and Daphne intently watching TV

When Tyler was little, we made it to the recommended 2 years of age before we let him watch TV. Well, kids shows anyway. Tyler definitely was exposed to Aggie football, World Cup soccer, and the Olympics but that didn't hold his attention. We have already started letting Daphne watch cartoons a few months before her second birthday. Thankfully she doesn't sit still very long and can maybe sit through one cartoon. We feel a little guilty but sometimes we just need 20 - 30 minutes with the kids out of our hair to take care of things (like house hunting discussions).

Shades

My cheapie sunglasses distracted Daphne when
she was upset I wouldn't let her have my car keys.

Can You Dig It?

Our backhoe operator

Tyler told me that he was digging holes to plant oak trees. Then he told me had planted the trees, they had grown, and they had blueberries growing on them. Tyler asked me to pick the blueberries. I love the imaginative things kids come up with at this age!

What the heck????

Lately Tyler has been using the expression "What the heck?" such as today leaving school carrying books:
Tyler: What the heck is with these slipping books?
Me: What do you mean slipping books?
Tyler: These books are slipping out of my hands.

Child Labor

I am officially running a sweat shop! Both kids like to help me out around the house so I had them load the washing machine assembly-line style the other day. It worked pretty well. I'll have to think of other joint cleaning tasks for them.

Mwah!

Daphne has learned how to pucker up and kiss. It is so sweet (and a little slobbery) to get kisses from her!

Who Me?

It must have been Vinnie the Beaver...

PurpleStride Austin for Pancreatic Cancer

Cheryl, Rachel, Michael, Tyler, Daphne, and Renee

We did the PurpleStride this morning in memory of Delores Rosas (pancreatic cancer) and Janina Hurtado (breast cancer). Daphne was quite content cruising in the stroller. Tyler walked most of the 5k by himself except for a few piggyback assists from Mommy and Daddy.

Yay for Dinner!

Last night I fixed spaghetti for dinner. When Daphne saw spaghetti on her plate she smiled, clapped her hands, and said, "Yay!" This was a refreshing change from the usual reaction I get from Tyler, who usually grunts and whines, "I want to pick my own food."

Bowling

We took the kids bowling for the first time this past weekend. Tyler had a blast! He was pretty excited that he could lift and throw his own ball. Daphne bowled too but was mostly underfoot as the rest of us bowled. Tyler was a little dismayed that he came in 6th out of 8. (psst... Mommy came in 1st!) I told Tyler that the scores didn't matter as long as everyone had fun. In true competitive form Tyler said, "Well I had the MOST fun!"

Tyler and Abuelito

Who needs finger holes?

We used a ramp with Daphne and between that
and the bumpers she came in 3rd out of 8 people.
The smallest bowling shoes that were available
were 4 sizes bigger than Daphne's shoe size.

Susan, Ludy, and Abuelita

Ludy in action

Daphne and Abuelito

Here is a video of Tyler in action:

Spit Shine

Daphne has seen me clean up a million of her messes. So lately she likes to help clean up too. Daphne will use any available tissue, napkin, or paper towel (or ask for one) to wipe down surfaces. And when there isn't a mess to clean up, Daphne spits on the surface and then wipes that up. You have to give her props for creativity!

Visit with Great Granny

My Granny (paternal) was recently visiting from Ohio so the kids and I caught up with her in Houston.

4 generations: Tyler, PawPaw, Great Granny, Renee, and Daphne

Micah was quite content being held by Granny

Miraculously the kids didn't knock down
Uncle Brad's Lego tower for at least an hour!

Megan and Hazel

Sonia and Damon

Bryce and Micah

Hazel was a little surprised by Daphne splashing water in her face.

Water gun fight!

I believe the boys took running jumps into
the kiddie pool after the girls got out.

The Hulett grandkids: Tyler, Noah, Micah, Damon, Daphne, and Hazel

Noah wanted a tiger cake for his 4th birthday and his mom
came through. Tyler is already requesting a lion cake for
his next birthday.

Hyped up on cake, it was time to pile on PawPaw.

We love you and miss you Janina!

Tyler, Tia Janina, and Daphne (August 2012)

Velia, Michael, Eddie, Janina, and Ludy (circa 1976);
As you can see, Daphne gets the curl in her hair from her Daddy.

Michael's amazing sister Janina passed away on Saturday, August 31 and was laid to rest today. Here is a link to her obituary.

Underwear

Daphne walking with Tyler's
underwear around her knees

Daphne loves to try and put on Tyler's clothes any chance she gets. For some reason she especially loves his underwear and snatches it whenever he is changing. Often Daphne puts Tyler's underwear on one leg and his shorts on the other leg and holds them up while she walks around. Silly girl!