Our road twists and bends, but it never ends
Zuzu decided she wanted to help me with the cooking this week. So, she got out one of our many kids’ cookbooks and found things she wanted to make.
After pouring over her three-page shopping list covering a dozen dishes, I told her: pick one thing to make per week. This is what she picked.
A double-decker malt. One half vanilla, the other half chocolate–separated by a layer of crushed malt balls. As you can see below, it was a big hit. (Kate chose not to participate.)
A Christmas season housing boom has come to the monkey troop as Stella, Zuzu and Grant went with Sandie to a gingerbread building event at Grace. I can’t speak for Grant’s house in the hours since Sandie snapped this shot, but the girls have brought new meaning to the term being “eaten out of house and home.”
In the ten-plus year’s we’ve resided in this house, I’ve never strung a single light on our exterior. Instead, I’ve opted for inflatables on the lawn. Plug ’em in. Blow ’em up. Job done. This year, the spirit moved me to do something new. The idea of a Christmas tree made of lights took root in my imagination. Before I could stop myself, the credit card and I were off to Target.
The original idea was to run a rope around the two windows and get electric in Zuzu’s room. Great plan—until I assembled the tree and climbed the ladder to discover the solar screens were screwed in place. So to, as it seemed, was my plan. Falling back, I ran to the hardware store in search of masonry nails. One on each side for a tie-off and we’re in business. But, luck was with me: I happened across six-inch c-clamps. One under each window provided the perfect tie-off.
No, it’s not Rockefeller Center, but it’s ours. And, the kids love it. Truth be told, there were originally going to be TWO trees—one on each side. That changed once John and I saw the tree in place. I called upon one of my favorite maxims, saying to John, “while planning is essential, plans are worthless.”
How did the kids like it? Well, Kate put it on Facebook. I overheard Stella telling a friend she had the coolest light show in front of the house. Now, I have to find someplace new to display all our inflatables.
West of Houston, Sandie’s family has a patch of land where they go to play and relax. There’s a three-story tree house, 4×4’s, a shooting range, and a pond. Most of all, though, there’s peace and quiet. It’s just so Texas.
Today we paid our first visit to The Patch. We rode, ran, shot, paddled, and relaxed. The kids loved it. DaddyMom did too. Great fun for all.
It’s not everyday Phyllis gets her wheels off the pavement. So, Sandie took the wheel to coach our beloved beast off-road and into the back country confines of The Patch.
There are four things you won’t find on The Patch: No phone. No cable. No broadband. No problems. It’s a barn-o-fun and many acres on which to have it—as Zuzu soon discovered riding with Grant aboard the Gator….
…and, aboard a 4×4 with Sandie.
Two fearless gals out for fun on Texas trails cut just for these vehicles.
While I had a healthy dose of trepidation about their riding, the girls hopped on back every time, anxious for the adventure. Smiles grew with every ride.
Stella was the only one who took to the water this visit; it was just cool enough to put others off the idea. I found her paddling up a stream off the pond. My intrepid explorer, charting her own course—as she so often does.
Kyle and Grant’s experience at knife throwing was pretty obvious to see. I’m just glad John didn’t get a look at this. I’m fine knowing he’s satisfied with his Nerf guns. Or, is he?
This one had a little more recoil than his airsoft and Nerf guns. John loved the chance to squeeze off a magazine for real. He did really well.
Sandie’s son Grant is a sure-shooter with his 22. I’ve taken careful note that all three of them are great shots. Then again, I have my own set of marksmen:
Sandie’s dad, Chuck, coaches Stella on proper technique with the Glock. She and John were pretty much a match on the target. But, DaddyMom showed them why my girls’ dates would be wise to get them home on time.
I’m having this one framed and hanging it in my den where boys will wait for my daughters when taking them on a date. Perhaps I should get copes for them to carry in their purses too.
The day went by way too fast and two of my brood were sawing logs by the time we reached our driveway. Fresh air and lots of space are the antidote to daily life in the city. We’re all looking forward to our next trip west to The Patch.
This is not a crying girl. This is the look of conflicted desire: how do you choose between two things you want when you can only have ONE? Zuzu wanted me to come up and and cuddle. I offered instead to give her wake-up cuddles and the first hot chocolate in the morning (seconds when everyone else came down) AND story reading in the morning. The choice was hers: a quick tuck-in tonight, or the deluxe DaddyMom morning prize package. This is the look she made while wrestling with her choice. A little tonight or lots more tomorrow. A dad in the hand, or more tomorrow. Which do you think she chose?