Today's our beloved Nanny Jen's 24th birthday. The girl who puts the kids first everyday was front and center for all of us tonight. We took her to Taste of Texas for a yummy dinner. Everyone enjoyed gnawing on steak and celebrating Jen's special day. I ordered a bottle of wine that Jen enjoyed sharing with me. She send a text about a half-hour after leaving saying, "feeling that wine." Ha.

Stella and I hopped our two wheels and zipped off for a ride. We went
to the bike shop and then stopped for life-giving syrum. What perfect
way to spend a Saturday.

Check this out: my little monkey troop newly immortalized on the back
of the kiddie carrier.

Today, Zuzu took one more step toward driving next to the DaddyMom. Her new wheels are giving her the sensation of riding while she gains confidence in her ability to balance. She was quite nervous for the first hundred feet. Then, she grew quiet as her full concentration was devoted to the task at hand. At one point, I stopped peddling to slow, but the bike kept on going. I looked back to find Zu going full steam. She is unintimidated by any challenge. Don’t you just love that? (photo by Stella; posted mobile from iPhone)

Our circle of five became a circle of six when we added Asta to the passenger manifest.

He is a Maltese puppy purchases at the John Paul II Catholic School auction gala: "007–a time to Bond." So, it only seemed fitting we come up with a related name for him: Asta Martin.

Asta was the name of Nick and Nora’s dog from The Thin Man. Martin for 007’s DB-5 Aston-Martin. The 5 is a fit since he will now be my 5th baby.

Harry Truman once opined that, "if you want a friend…get a dog."

Meet our new friend.