The Curious Georges

Farmers in the Land of Dell

So far we're loving the experiences that Austin has to offer.   Music is huge here.  We took the kids to their first concert this past weekend.   A group called Families Rock  has started putting on shows for kids as an alternative to the manic musical offerings of Barney and Elmo.  The George Kids rocked out to Farmer Jason and Matt the Electrician at a place in downtown Austin called Antones.  We even won a t-shirt in a family dance contest!  At one point, one of the kidlets attending the show pulled the fire alarm.  I thought it was Nicole, but another mom thought it was her kid.  Knowing Nicole's penchant for getting into trouble, I wouldn't be surprised if it was her.  We had to evacuate the building, but Farmer Jason was unfazed and just continued the concert on the sidewalk.

The natural beauty in Austin is very accessible here.  Our new place overlooks a lush greenbelt and we're really close to Lake Austin (which is really a river).  We can drive just 10 minutes from our house and see horses and what Nicole calls "moo-cows."   

We sampled another BBQ place on Sunday called The County Line.  It was so chaotic with the kids that the family at the next table "adopted" Dane while we were there.  He had a great time entertaining them with his charming smile and flirtatious ways.  Nicole thought she had the run of the place and was continually exerting her independence.  I was getting a lot of exercise running after her.

Rock on!

The Georges

Let Them Eat Cake

We had a great time celebrating the boys' first birthday at the Salt Lick.  Our friends Margot & Joe joined us with their little girls Katie & Lauren. 

Dane took the cake-eating experience to a new level.  He definitely has inherited the George family intensity.  Logan didn't seem to like the cake that much and actually started crying as if the cake scared him. I thought it would be the opposite since Logan is so passionate about food.  Anyone who has seen him eat can attest to this.  Maybe, like his Uncle Chris, he doesn't have much of a sweet tooth.

Nicole had her own special blue cupcake.  When she was done, she looked like a member of the Blue Man Group.  You will see the telltale baby wipe flying around in a lot of the photos.  The three cakes and cupcakes were tres messay!

Happy Birthday Dane & Logan!!!

 

PS  The highlight of Barton's day was getting to "Turn the Seat Around" (love to hear percussion).  Since the boys are now officially one, they get to ride face-forward.

                                                                      

A Tale of 6,500 Diaper Changes

Tomorrow our twins turn one!  It's been quite a year.  We added two little loves to our family, moved twice and Nicole started pre-school.  We roughly calculate that we changed 6,500 diapers in the past year ... whew!

After a rough start in Austin due to the stomach flu, all the kids are doing great.  Dane, Logan and Nicole are extremely active, which isn't surprising given that Barton and I were both that way.  Barton's pre-school teacher wrote in his report that he was a very enthusiastic kid, so enthusiastic that he sometimes brought the other kids to tears!  He does that to me sometimes too ... haha.

Dane & Logan have very different personalities, but they seem to switch off with their moods.  It's like one says to the other, "ok, now it's your turn to  melt down."  Dane is the more serious of the twins, but he's generally very happy.  He gets a little more flustered with change than Logie.  Logie is really a character and he has this new habit of shaking his head back and forth, which we find hilarious.

Nicole is a sweet little girl, who loves Elmo, Dora and Barney.  I still haven't figured out why kids like Barney.  I find it so annoying and aren't the kids they hire on that show somewhat creepy?   Nicole has a bit of a temper, but luckily the biting is getting better.  The rest of the family is happy that our little vampire has decided to put away her fangs.

The boys went swimming for the first time last weekend.  The kids all had so much fun, but Barton and I were wrecks trying to wrangle three little ones who don't know how to swim.

We will post pictures from Dane & Logan's birthday at the Salt Lick, an authentic BBQ joint outside of Austin.

Adieu for now ...