all aboard

Gage loves trains. Our toy boxes are full of Thomas and his crew, enough GeoTrax to build a city that covers the entire second floor of our house, and an assortment of other toy trains of various shapes and sizes. Over the last six years, I'm pretty sure we've ridden every miniature train in the Austin area, he's been on the Hill County Flyer at least three times, and we rode the "real" Thomas when he visited Austin a few years ago. We've even gone to the train station just to watch the trains pull in and out!

So when Gage found out about Austin's Metro Rail commuter train, I knew a ride was inevitable, and we added it to our list of things to do over the Christmas break. Of course it wasn't easy...since the train is designed for commuters, there are no "round trip" tickets, and the schedule is fairly limited. We decided to coordinate our ride with a visit to Grammy, so Gage and I got on the train at the downtown station and rode about 45 minutes to Cedar Park, where Grammy met us and took Gage to her house in Leander. Meanwhile, Scott and Beck drove all the way from Dripping Springs to Cedar Park (in rush hour traffic) to meet the train and bring me home.

Two tickets for the Metro Rail: $2

Miles driven across town in rush hour traffic to meet the train: 75

An hour of pure joy for your child: Priceless!

jumping for joy

For the last three years, Gage has been asking for a trampoline for Christmas. The first two years, we explained to Gage that Santa probably wouldn't bring a trampoline because Beck was too young to jump on it, which was true, but we also had concerns about their safety. But this year, after much deliberation, we decided that the benefits outweighed the risks. With two extremely active boys, anything that gets them out of the house and burning off energy is a good thing!

Judging by their first jumping session, I'd say we made the right decision. They both love it.

Something the two of them can do together, outside, that they both like? They're not the only ones jumping for joy!

the circle

Growing up in Illinois, the front of our house faced a regular street, but the backyard was on a cul-de-sac. Technically, a cul-de-sac is a "dead end" street, but to me that concrete circle was a world unto itself. It was where I practiced (and perfected!) some of my most awesome roller skating routines. It was where I learned to ride a two wheel bicycle...and later the site of the accident that would leave me with a bloody face, two broken front teeth, and a healthy fear of bike riding. My much older friend Stephanie lived across the circle...she introduced me to gymnastics, the Go Go's, and her younger brother Geoff, who teased me mercilessly throughout elementary school...and years later gave me my first kiss.

As an adult, I've lived in three different houses on cul-de-sacs, including our current home. This one is the most unique, since the cul-de-sac also has an "island." It is known around our house simply as "the circle." And like the cul-de-sac of my childhood, the circle is one of our boys' favorite places to play. It's a perfect race track for bikes, scooters, and Power Wheels, and the trees and rocks on the island can become anything from pirate ships and deserted islands to rockets and distant planets. And best of all, there are lots of other families whose children share our circle.

I guess things have come full circle.

christmas wisdom

Gage: Mommy, do you think I've been good enough to get on Santa's "nice" list this year?

Mommy: I don't know, what do you think?

Gage: I hope so. I don't want to get coal for Christmas.

Mommy: Yes, that would be a shame.

Gage: Mommy, did you ever get coal for Christmas?

Mommy: Never! I was always on the "nice" list because I was never a bad little girl.

Gage: Well, that's because you didn't have a little brother.

two cute

I'll be the first to admit it...Beck's "terrible twos" have been...well, terrible. Don't get me wrong, he can be adorable (always), sweet (often), and a joy to be around (frequently)...but he can also be stubborn, demanding, and whiny (daily!)

Too often, I've found myself thinking "I can't wait until he's older"...dreaming of the day when I won't have diapers to change, sippy cups to wash, or the constant demands of a headstrong toddler to negotiate. But in my heart, I know that I will miss this time of his life, no matter how exhausting it can be. I'll miss his kisses and cuddles, his funny way of running, his genuine excitement over everything from breakfast to bubbles (sometimes eliciting a "woo hoo!" if he's really feeling it!), and the way he never wants to leave my side.

Besides, has two ever looked this cute??

styling jello

Beck got a haircut last week, and for the first time the stylist asked him if he wanted some gel in his hair.

He was very excited, and for the rest of the day he was telling everyone who would listen that he had "jello" in his hair!

**I tried to upload a video...for some reason it wouldn't work, but you can see it here.

first day

I can hardly believe it...Gage's first day of Kindergarten!!

I found this poem in Gage's backpack after school...

I couldn't have said it better.