Saturday, March 22, 2014 (I think): At "the dragon," in Portland

Whee!  Sliding with Daddy.

Otis fuels up on Cocoa Puffs before going back to play.  See the dragon in the background?

Mmm!  Cheese pizza!

March 19, 2014: Photos by Jade (and one by me)

Jade took over the iPod Touch for part of the trip from Kansas City to Portland

She kept telling me, "Be a witch!"

Witches might have been on her mind.  She and Mya and River had me tell a version of "Hansel and Gretel" over and over again during the visit.

I can only wonder what the other passengers thought.  And it's a good think we had this row to ourselves!

Mia's tea

View from the window seat

And one photo by me: Jade looks for Daddy when we land in Portland.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014: Planes, trains, and automobiles

We left Asheville early Wednesday morning to drive to Atlanta, where Papa would fly on to Austin and Jade and I would fly to Portland with a layover in Kansas City.

So  much stuff!  Including suitcases, backpacks, and a car seat.  On the train from the car rental place to the Atlanta airport.

Jade and her shark on the train.

Leaving Kansas City for Portland.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014: arcades and putt-putt golf then Mya's home from school

River and Jade

OK, so the iPod Touch sometimes takes blurry photos.  But here are Papa, Daddy, Mama, River, and Jade. Papa was below par for the course, I believe.

Jade and I spent more time at the arcade than on the putt-putt course.  I think we managed to return all the clubs and balls.

After school, Mya showed me the crocuses (I think) that are blooming.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014: Career Day for May

Our now and future artist opted to be a painter for kindergarten career day.

Demonstrating that she'll soon be six, Mya decorated her digits with raspberries at breakfast.

Daddy drops Mya off at school.  Hard to tell, but she's wearing TwinkleToe boots.  So cool!

On her way to class.

Happy St. Paddy's Day for the grown-ups too!

Papa grilled in the Asheville drizzle.

The kids caught a movie.

Ryder baked a deliciously decadent bread pudding, complete with cream and chocolate chips.

After the kids went to bed, we played a game sort of like dominoes and Ryder made us some "healthy" margaritas with orange juice and hmmm....I can't remember!  Seems it was apricot/mango juice.

Saluting our Irish heritage and Papa's Viking heritage in that the Vikings founded Dublin.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Daddy, Piper, and Mommy at the Mountain Bear Play Lodge.

Fruit rainbows for snack time, followed by the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow:  M&Ms!

Papa helps River open his M&Ms

Jade wanted Mya to be her baby and sit in her lap. 

Relaxing with "Brave" or "Frozen"

Hitchin' a ride! 

Rub-a-dub-dub!

Clean kids!  But there's only room for three.  Jade waited her turn.

March 15, 2014: Happy Birthday, River!

River's birthday dinner was at Green Sage with Mimi and Aunt Kristy too. 

Piper and Papa partied on too!

Birthday boy with Daddy and Mama and a party crasher in the background.

March 15, 2014: Spring flowers

First, a trip to the store for seeds.  Mya, River, and Jade each chose packets to plant.  Next year, Piper.

All for one and one for all!  River, Mya, and Jade prepare the flower bed.

They pull out rocks.

Papa gets in on the action!

March 15, 2013: River is 3!

When you're the birthday boy, Daddy takes you to Dunkin' Donuts for chocolate-covered donuts and something scarily called "glazed munchkins."  I'm hoping those are what was formerly known as "donut holes" and not something from the Hansel and Gretel witch's house!

Oh happy (birth)day!

Happy Birthday to  you, River!

All done! 

Taking the birthday bike for a spin with Daddy and Mya

March 13, 2014: almost SXSW

We didn't do our annual SXSW stay-cation this year but we did, in a nod to SXSW, take in a close-to-midnight meal at Guerro's, our traditional SXSW fueling spot.  Their salsa is fresh and "all you can eat."  So good!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014: Thai food

My friend Cheryl, with whom I have a "girl trip" every year, introduced us to her friend from Ohio who she met on a trip to Greece and who is visiting Austin.  This post is called "Thai food" because we tried out the new Thai restaurant at the jinxed location in the Allendale Shopping Center: no restaurant has lasted there for more than a year or so.  The Thai place is excellent.  We hope it makes it!

Roy's going to make it!  A driver made a left turn into him and his bicycle on March 2.  He suffered fractures to his cheek and orbital socket, collar bone, and pelvis, and sustained six cracked ribs.  Ouch!  After he was released from Brackenridge on March 5, he stayed with us for three weeks to recuperate some before going home.  Happy to report that, as of April 6, he's on the mend.  We know this because he's showing up at Austin City Council meetings to argue issues on behalf of the Sierra Club.  Go Roy!