Shopping at Grandma and Grandpa's

And pleased as punch about it.

The Choo Choo Train Episode of _Dora the Explorer_

Reading Before School

Hanging Out with Miss Katie

Students Start Tomorrow

So we avoided the end-of-summer blues with sweet potato fries at Galaxy Cafe.

Happy Anniversary, Aunt MB & Uncle Ned!

We love y'all!

That's One Way to Watch TV

with Cousin Claire this past weekend--

Back to School

Ok, so we actually started back to school on Monday; but I didn't get my act together to get a picture until this morning. Larkin's buddy Walker got there at the same time, so they grabbed hands and marched on into the building together.

                                         

Playing with Grandma

In Devine this past weekend, Grandma showed Larkin how to make different figures with her Playdoh. It's a good thing, too, since all Larkin said she knew how to make was poop...

Meeting Cousin Luke

with Uncle Jay--

Not Afraid of the Spotlight

Larkin wanted to spend the evening in the center of the reception hall last night where she was fascinated by the circle of light on the floor. That's where she ate her Teddy Grahams and then later danced with her daddy.

At Cousin Savannah's Wedding

Catching up on the latest gossip with Cousin Bailey--

Running to a photo op with cousins Myla and Claire--

Devine Bound!

Feeding Her Rocking Horse

That Other Toddler in the House Can Make Some Funny Faces

And she has mouse ears, too!

Phone Calls

Larkin talked M.A.'s ear off this evening. We're not sure what she was saying, but that didn't seem to bother Larkin.

Bubblepalooza!

Outside the Long Performing Arts Center in Austin yesterday. Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a parachute, and music all around. Larkin was more interested in the minnows in the nearby pond, however...

Calling Aunt Da and M.A.

with a magnet from the fridge as her phone...

Crashed Out With _Brown Bear, Brown Bear_

Unlike Her Aunt Mary Beth...

Larkin loves the Olympics, particularly the diving competitions, for some reason. Here's a brief clip of her reaction to some dives.

Happy 4th Birthday, Cousin Claire!

This afternoon Larkin did a jig for Cousin Claire and for air conditioning, which went out in the middle of the night but was restored by a repairman by the time the house reached 87 degrees. Whew.

First Dentist Visit

Larkin had her first visit to the dentist this morning, what they call a "happy visit." She got to tour the office, sit in the exam chair, touch the instruments, meet the dentist and dental hygienist, read some books, and play with a grinning fish. The dentist even convinced her to open her mouth long enough for a peak inside. It went surprisingly well. Afterward, she got a lollipop and chose a tiny toy car from their treasure chest. She now says the car is Grandaddy and Nana's. We're not sure why.

                                                       

In.gredients on the East Side

We're always excited when a new business that's not a used car dealership opens in the neighborhood. We've been anticipating the opening of in.gredients for months and were finally able to visit the store yesterday. It's a new grocery on Manor Rd. that sells package-free items, meaning we can take our own containers and fill them with soap or cereal or olive oil or even dog food. They have soy milk for Larkin by the gallon (local regulations prevent them from selling it without packaging, apparently) and beer straight from the tap to Marvin's growler. Add that it's only a short walk down the road, and you can perhaps understand why we're pleased (though I can imagine Uncle Ned rolling his eyes at the package-free part).

For those of you not rolling your eyes, you can read more about in.gredients here: http://www.kvue.com/news/Package-free-grocery-store-opens-in-East-Austin-165214776.html

Saturday Visitors

Grandma and Taylor came up to Austin for the day yesterday. Larkin took them along with her to her first musical--_Alice in Wonderland_ at the Carver Museum. We then enjoyed lunch and an afternoon of playing at the house.

"Choo Choo Bain!"

Thanks, M.A. and Jimmy, for the train stickers. Larkin loves them, of course.