Austin Children's Museum

On Monday we visited the Austin Children's Museum, along with several other moms and kids from church. This was my and Kate's first trip to the museum, and she really enjoyed it. The place is packed with hands-on exhibits and other fun things for kids. I was especially glad that the day we visited was a designated "Baby Bloomers" day, for "3 and under" only, so there weren't any big kids to trample the little ones. Thanks to Cheryl for organizing the trip!

One of the first things Kate really enjoyed was the Construction Area, where she donned a hard hat and safety vest and went to town organizing nuts and bolts.




Later, we discovered what may have been the highlight of Kate's week...a giant cow. Kate climbed up on this platform to touch the cow and declare over and over with great enthusiasm that he was, indeed, a "COW!"


Here's Kate and Adelaide playing with rice in the "Little Explorers" lab.

Kate, Adelaide and Sadie Carrell, chillin' on the bench seat in the MetroRail replica.

We had a really fun day, and afterwards we enjoyed the crisp fall weather by having lunch at an outdoor cafe with the Conlys.

Camping

Last weekend we went camping at Lockhart State Park with a few other families from our Sunday School class. We only planned to stay one night (Friday), since we knew from having already camped with Kate (when she was nearly a year old) that one night would be plenty. The weather during the day was beautiful, and Kate thoroughly enjoyed being outside and exploring the rocks and sticks and dirt. Sleeping, however, was another matter. It got very cold. I think the low was around 41 degrees. We bundled Kate up in several thick layers, so her body was quite warm, but her face got a little cold and she wound up cuddling with Josh in his sleeping bag for most of the night. It was one of those check-your-watch-ever-hour kind of nights. The Carters' tent was next door to ours, so our kid and theirs took turns waking us all during the night, despite multiple sound machines. We didn't get much sleep, but I thought in the end, the adventure was worth it.

The Grace Covenant Church New Parents Compound...

Here's Kate prepped for bed. Amazingly, she kept the hat and gloves on all night.

Ah, morning couldn't come soon enough. Thankfully we're still smiling.

Saturday was gorgeous, even a little on the warm side. (Soon after we took this picture, Kate and I shed our long sleeves for cooler attire.)

This state park had a playground that the kids enjoyed.

Kate was so completely tuckered out when we drove home on Saturday afternoon. We all were, for that matter. I hope as she gets older we can continue to take camping trips and help her appreciate and enjoy the great outdoors.

Corn dogs

So, I just had to share a moment that occurred this afternoon during lunch with Kate. I fixed her a corn dog for the first time, and she was very interested in this strange looking food on a stick. As she watched me prepare it, I kept repeating the name "corn dog," saying that it was like a hot dog, but with bread wrapped around it. We then sat down and I cut it into bite-size pieces and put some on her tray. She picked it up, examined it, and clearly pronounced, "Dog food."