Playing with Trains

Pantless. With shoes.

A Little Anxious about her Allergies

Last week Larkin's class made cupcakes as their last activity with their two summer school student interns. Larkin apparently heard me talking to Ms. Laura about whether or not she could help since there were eggs involved. I told her to just make sure Larkin wore gloves and washed her hands afterward, and I brought a vegan cupcake to class for her to eat. No big deal. You can see the photos her teacher put on the class site of Larkin getting a glove and then stirring the mix. Hours later Larkin ran up to her teachers outside and told them she had a rash on her back. She was convinced she had gotten egg on her back somehow. The teachers were nervous enough about it that they called us, but we're pretty sure she just had a heat rash from running around on the playground in the triple digits. Poor sweet, cautious Larkin.

Birthday Love

We've had a great day, ending with dinner down the street at a restaurant we hadn't tried before. I enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich, and the girls enjoyed frozen lemonade.

An Afternoon with Willem

Larkin's friend Willem from the UTCDC invited her to his sister Jean's 7th birthday party today at their neighborhood pool. We asked them to stand together at the end of the party so we could get their picture, and here's what they came up with. Youngest prom-goers ever...

More Photos by Larkin

Striking a Pose

I asked Logan to strike a pose in her outfit this morning. She knew exactly what I was talking about and kept up this same level of sass all day according to her teachers. My my.

Amazing Table Manners

Larkin enjoys shoveling "straw pasta" (aka spaghetti noodles) into her mouth with as little use of her hands or utensils as possible. She also requests photos as documentation.

Playing on Grandpa's Trailer

After it was emptied of another load from the Devine house on Sunday, the trailer became a stage.

Mr. Big Shot

Aka "Cousin Cody," a super - cool cat, indeed. I mean, just look at him!

"Hiding" from Daddy...

...last night on the drive back to Austin.

Hhmmm...Where's Logan???

There she is!!

Fireworks on the Fourth

Happy 4th!

From the Golf Cart Gang

First Minivan Road Trip

Just look at all that space...aaaahhhh...

A Girl and Her Dogs

...who love her even though they don't look like they do...we promise.

Choo-choo Selfies

We boarded the train at Kiddie Acres Sunday afternoon,  and the girls were pretty pumped about it. You can see them both pretending to pull the train whistle and saying "choo choo" with great gusto. I snapped these pictures just before I looked up to see several huge lightning strikes not too far away. And there I sat, on a metal train, with the most precious cargo.  So this mama stood up and climbed right back off the train with a girl in each arm as the train pulled away. The teenaged conductor looked at me like I had lost my mind as he road off in the train. But then he made only one loop of the park before stopping the train and covering it up with a giant tarp. So, yeah,  I was right.

More Pictures from the Aquarium

With fish and a sorta creepy pirate

Pony Rides at Kiddie Acres

Larkin was in full cowgirl mode, talking like Jessie on _Toy Story_ and walking with a swagger. Logan was just pleased to get to ride like her sister, though her saddle kept sliding sideways, so she spent her ride tilted right and holding on tight.

Kiddie Acres

Larkin, Logan, and I spent Sunday afternoon at Kiddie Acres Amusement Park in North Austin. It was an easy way to burn up some energy and some time while their dad is out of town.

Stingrays at the Austin Aquarium

They were very friendly because they thought we had fish for them.

Checking out the trains at the Baylor Museum

Not sure who was more excited - - Larkin or her dad.

More Swim Lessons

She's doing great!