Venturing into the Great Outdoors (in the loosest possible terms)
Because Bart is getting into the busy season of the year, our weekends together are increasingly precious, so we’re really making a concerted effort to do some fun family things together on Saturdays.
I won’t lie – getting out of the house with two small children is significantly more complicated than it was with one toddler. Multiple diaper sizes, clothing changes (something that had been a thing of the past for a while with Ella), and burp clothes, nursing covers, baby carriers mean we don’t travel quite as lightly as we used to.
As we were loading up the car last Saturday morning, our neighbor asked where we were going. I’m sure he thought we were embarking on a cross-country trip.
Still, we managed to be out of the house, completely showered and dressed, with both of the adults having gone for morning runs separately beforehand (although mine was more of a “hey, look at me running again after having a bab. . .oh, I have no endurance at all. Have I gone a block? Nope, not yet” than a run), by 10:30 a.m.
Our destination was the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which we’ve never gone to before, but is free for all of January (probably for the very good reason that January is not really prime time for wildflowers).
Despite the fact that it was a LONG drive and that it was a bit barren, we had a lovely time. After two (whole!) weeks of cold, wintery weather (er, you know, wintery by Texas standards, so 40 degree days), a sunny day was the perfect time to be outside.
We didn’t stay all that long (nap time called), but we enjoyed the lovely weather and the gorgeous buildings. Although, in the spirit of full disclosure, Bart did say as we left, “I can’t believe anyone would pay $9 a person to visit this.”
And then we finished up by stopping by Whole Foods downtown where one of the guys running a sample table, pointed at Ani, who I was carrying in a wrap, and asked, “Is that your little brother?” I was so shocked, I could barely manage to inform him it was, in fact, my CHILD, let alone that it was actually a girl.
We came home and recovered from our strenuous morning by all taking naps (miraculous, really, to get four of us to all nap at the same time for more than ten minutes).
And built up our strength again by having burgers for dinner. And in our family, any weekend that includes burgers is a monumental success.
I cannot get over Ani's hair!!!
And yes … I think I average WAY more than an hour prep time for a 20 minute visit to see Simon. And the kids still look ragamuffiny
Your little brother? Was he serious? I just do not understand some people. I have never seen a picture where I thought Ani looked like a boy.
In the guy's defense, she was in a blue and white carrier and only the top of her head was visible.
Your kids ate so cute. I just had my second child in October ( have a 2yr also) and it takes SO LONG to get all our stuff together to go anywhere. Glad it's not just me. And what great weather to get out and enjoy!
Haha! Bart sounds like Spencer. The only difference is that Spencer would die before stepping into Whole Foods. "It's too expensive!" Not that his protests ever stop me.
I love Ani's hair, too, because it looks to be the same color that mine was when I was little. (Is that conceited or what?) Anyway, your day sounds lovely. Oh, and when the flowers are blooming, the place might be worth the $9. 🙂
a pretty day, ending with burgers, definitely sounds like a good day to me 🙂
Seriously, the things people say! Wow. So glad you got out. Just wait until three kids under five. Then outings get really tricky.
Ani's hair! It's so red! I can't get over it.
I showed up at a church thing in Vegas to have a bunch of beehives run up to me and ask me if I was Dallin's (my 19 year-old nephew) MOTHER. I might have started researching wrinkle creams that evening.
Ani is beautiful 🙂 People just don't think. I can admit to not always being able to tell babies gender…but at least I know better than to guess out loud!
It is so hard to get out of the house with two. In 2 months we will be welcoming our 3rd child (3 under 3, baby!) and you have inspired me to spend the next 6 weekends to get out as a family of 4 before my newborn seclusion begins 😉
Love your blog!
I hate how much stuff we have to haul around with kids. Sometimes I wish I could just be like a tribal woman that just heads out topless with a naked baby strapped to me and that's it.
So glad I'm not the only one who struggles to get out the door with two children. We barely made 11 o'clock story time at the library this morning…
And is Heather going crazy that Ani's hair is so red??! She told me when Ella was born she would be so bummed if she turned out to be a red head when SHE of all people got a bunch of blondies…
Heather is dying 🙂
I didn't care so much when people thought my little girl was a boy, even when she was wearing pink from head to toe, neither did I correct them. However, I would care if some old man thought that my child was my sibling. That is just weird.
Oh gosh, what little cuties! Love these pictures 🙂
xo TJ
Thumbs up for looking young enough to be mistaken for a sister!
I'm dying over here trying to get 3 kids out of the house before school each day. And we're PM Kindergarten! And the nursing? It's really holding up our schedule when it takes so long for a newborn to eat. Aaaah! I'm hoping to get the hang of it all soon.
Chiming in to say that it's beyond worth $9 admission when it's wildflower season… you should definitely plan a return trip for later in the spring!
Good to know! We'll have to venture down again.
That picture of the baby smiling is sooooo cute! And burgers are always a win in our house too!