Best.Week.Ever

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So, I really don't know how to start this post. What's the best way to describe the most incredible week of your life?

I exaggerate often, I know. But really? There's just no topping this week. Any week that starts with a girls' trip, a 3 lb. cinnamon roll and ends with 2013 convertible Camaro at the beach with your bestie really can't be topped. Weellllll, unless you happen to buy a house all squished between.

 Life's been a whirlwind of joy these past 10 days and we haven't ever been more thankful for these blessings of friendship, love and new adventures. Overwhelmingly speechless here... so I'm not even going to try to explain how I feel and instead just leave it in pictures. Unedited pictures because I'm way too tired but documented nonetheless.

Our week... beyond fantastical.

Which of course translates to started it off with a naked hula hooping party with our Austin buddies.

 Where we took to San Antonio for the weekend with friends that will always be home.

Contracted on our new home to-be (whew, that was an intense 24 hrs!)

Sooooo much paperwork that we had to put Gabriel to work. The kid's a machine.

And when it was all in... I celebrated with sweet wheels

abundant sunshine

and 16 years of amazing friendship.

Beyond thankful.

I'd say that I'm in for a serious let down this week but after the random snow cone truck parked in front of our house tonight and an eight year wedding anniversary to celebrate in the morning...

I'm pretty sure the week will be just fine.

Fantastical Friday

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You were feeling nervous weren't you? Like maybe I forgot to find the fantastical in today or something. I know, I'm such a big deal that you are hanging on to my every word in this vast bloggyworld aren't you?

No? That's okay.

But in the tiny off chance you were worried... I didn't forget... I was just saving it for later... much like dessert.

A BRIGHT in your face BLUE and GREEN dessert.

Now you tell me, what's more fantastical than these little friends just awalkin' all around, on a beautiful spring afternoon, in a gorgeous city park that is completely free and basically deserted?

Nothing. Nothing is more fantastical. Well.. okay... all this fancy sisterly love of recent has felt pretty fantastical too. Notice the pillows and paper towels. No accidental placement there. Molly's salon prides itself in luxury and comfort.

Fantastical Friday flair. Get yourself a manicure and mosey on down to Mayfield park pronto-stat. These buddies won't be in full feathery goodness too long!

Lulu's Two!

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Oh, birthday babe, we've arrived. It seems that officially you are no longer my little baby anymore. In fact, if we asked your opinion, you would emphatically insist that you were turning six like a certain big sister you adore.

Lucy, I have never met a kid like you. I mean this in the mightiest of great ways. Your zest for life, ferocious laughter and waaaaaaaaaay advanced vocabulary have kept us so keenly on our toes at all times. I don't know that there is anything that you are afraid of. Sister, you are an itty-bitty lot o' living.

You were pretty adamant that your video song be Despicable Me's "Bad, bad, day." We didn't oblige. I'm sorry. It's just that, you aren't our bad bad day... in fact you are the burst of sunshine to our very good good day. Can we arrange for all that happiness to stick around during the twos, please?

I am so looking forward to this next year with you. It will be our first ever alone without siblings for five whole days a week. I know how much you will miss Gabey during the weekdays. This year has been so special for the two of you. I see lots of sibling school lunchdates in our future.

If you decide that you are okay being my baby for the rest of always... I promise there will be no complaining here.

Happy Birthday, Lucy! Such a present you are to me!

Love,
Mommy

*** Birthday Video!***

Lucy's 2nd Birthday video from Julie May on Vimeo.

If you want to check out last year's birthday video: click here!


***New blog still under construction!***

Deep in the Heart

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This weekend, we returned to an old favorite. While the berries were a little picked over and between harvests, the flowers in route most definitely made up for it. This Texas gal sure is a sucker for some bluebonnets. If it weren't for a rogue bee, perhaps we could have managed a couple more smiles out of Molly. Bees are deadly, didn't you know?!

Our city slickers on their big adventure at the farm.

Eastery goodness 2013.

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Easter took a different speed this weekend. In Austin coming off two night shifts, we set the pace slow and steady and infused chocolate in the sleepy moments.

But if you were Lucy May, you just bypassed all of that and started with the chocolate.

only to sugar-crash, naked in wagon out back.

The Easter bunny arrived in Austin and brought all sorts of treasures along the way. Turns out the Mr. Bunny's love of carrots is the same in Austin and Dallas.

It has been such a weekend of hunts. We are technically, still down one egg somewhere in the living room... the Easter bunny forgot to leave a map for sleepy parents. If only it weren't a real egg. Alas, I guess in some form or another--- the egg will find us. Eeeek.

Our kids sure do clean up nicely...which is quite incredible because after a quasi-naked jaunt thorough the backyard and roll in the grass for good measure, they were really dirty. Can't even tell can you?

Brunch with our neighbors was a blast and yet another reminder of the great blessings of friendship in our lives. Lucy was extra thankful for the added chocolate intake at brunch.

The rain held out and made way for a killer, cloudy-sky, afternoon nap. I won't clue you in to the exact amount of pillow drool I produced but let's suffice to say it was quite a lot.

Mass was attempted with our crew at the cathedral downtown. It was beautiful. Killer acoustics in there. Lucy honed in on those pretty quickly which landed me and her vocals out in the hallway. In case you were wondering... it is a pretty hallway too.

We learned that shoe stomping acoustics in the hall of the cathedral are almost as awesome as the echo that comes from chirping in the sanctuary. 

Molly picked our restaurant for dinner which pretty much guarantees you a visit to Hula Hut. She is in love with their bathrooms. In fact, this is a determining factor for most of her restaurant choices. I don't see a career a food critic in her future... that's okay though... their food was great too! Win!

Hope your holiday was eggcellent too!

Fantastical Friday!

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Two times. That makes something a tradition right? I need to consult the hubs--- after all, he did go to Texas A&M for a bit.

Nevertheless, go me.

Friday's fantastical actually met us at the park today. Ominous rain clouds that delayed rain and made way for whimsy magical spring breezes. Our quiet kid was the FIRST one to find a playground friend...who is actually in the first grade too. Everyone independent, everyone trying new things. It was beautiful.

Monkey bars have sort of been Molly's nemesis these past few years. She so wants to do them and yet, she so doesn't. Hey, I get it----it's scary up there. Now, sitting on TOP of the monkey bars. Oh, no. Never.

And yet...

on a Friday... when the weather is pretty amazing...

you might find with some good company that bravery comes in GREAT quantities.

After playing for 30 minutes with this little boy, Gabriel finally asked him what his name was (that is one of my favorite things about kids, btw!). Guess what it was? Gabriel. It really tickled my Gabe's funny bone.

And Lucy scaled the highest rock wall independently which didn't land her a broken arm. Not pictured for Nonnie's sake. 

Brave. AWESOME. Magical fun... pretty stinking fantastical if you ask me.

And just so you can laugh... this is fantastical too.

Enjoy the start to a holiday weekend!