Spring Break!

We had a busy spring break, spending the first weekend in NJ with family and the second back in Austin enjoying SXSW. Enjoy the pics!



Truman serenading the Groupps with someone's (Phoebe? Eli?) harmonica.



Dad and Truman down the shore. (Thank you, Reillys!)



Mom and T at the beach.


Cousins!


Aunt Alison and Uncle Paul enjoying quality time with their godson, Eli.


The country cousin on his way back to the Lone Star state (taking the airtrain from the rental car stop to Terminal C at Newark). Goodbye, NJ! We'll miss you.



Back in Austin, we enjoyed a visit from Grandmommy and Granddad.


Truman and Dad hanging out at the Peelander-Z kids' show during SXSW. (The snacks were Truman's. The beer belonged to Dad.)



Rocking out!



A surprise tour of the neighborhood fire station on the way back to the car, courtesy of Mr. Hunt. That's Truman with friend Tiernan Hunt. (Thanks, John!)

Snow Day

Daycare was closed today because of the "snow." Very little accumulation, but we went out for a short while this morning.


We *thought* Truman owned mittens. Instead, we had to improvise with saran wrap covered by socks. Kind of sad, really.



The world's tiniest snowman.


Truman surveying our handiwork.

'Twas the night before Christmas

Here's the scene at our house tonight:


Truman dictated his note to Santa, which reads, "Dear Santa: Happy Santa! Merry Christmas, Santa! Get some milk and some cookies. Goodbye."

And to all a good night!

A Backwoods Christmas

It's a Christmas miracle! (No, not the first photo with Santa, but the fact that we actually posted an entry on this blog.) A big thank you to our neighbor Ben, who took pity on us, the parents who always forget the camera, and documented Truman's first sit-down with the big guy.

I know what you're thinking: This child doesn't need another fire truck. The poor thing needs a pair of shoes! I would have preferred a more formal portrait, but we had to take what we could get. The photo op with Santa was courtesy of our neighborhood block party this afternoon. We all chipped in a bunch of money to get Santa for an hour, but it was worth it (plus, all of the money goes to the Ronald McDonald House). After much coaxing, Truman climbed up on Santa's lap and told him he wanted (drum roll, please) another fire truck.

As for the bare feet, they were thanks to the bouncy house that several more seasoned parents insisted we needed at the block party. (Truman ditched his shoes *and* socks.) What can I say? They do things big down here in Texas.

Stay tuned for a backlog of photos and news. Really!

It's a bird, it's a plane

It's Superhero week at Truman's daycare, and this is what greeted me at the door when I went to pick him up for his doctor's appointment today.


He kind of looks like a Mexican lucha libre wrestler.


Truman insisted on wearing his mask to see the doctor. He was a big hit in the waiting room. He wouldn't reveal his superhero name or special power, but he seemed at least to consider our suggestion: Paci(fier) Man.


The transformation begins...


...and he's back to being ordinary citizen, Mr. Adorable.

Sharks!

We went up to Dallas last weekend for Uncle Harvey's birthday. (Technically, I guess this post should be entitled "Uncle Harvey and Sharks." But I digress.) Grandmommy and Granddad took Truman on the DART train to the aquarium, where we met up with the intrepid travelers. Uncle Harvey graciously joined us for a couple of hours on his birthday. It was a lot of fun.


The flamingo "exhibit" is one of the first stops we made. They're more orange than pink. Who knew? And they eat something that looks a lot like Purina dog chow.



Best part of the aquarium hands down was the shark and other big fish tank, which you could actually walk underneath. Check out this shark swimming right over their heads!


Seemingly oblivious to the stingray just overhead.



Sh-sh-sh-shark!


Okay, NOW he's interested.



Truman posing with the birthday boy.



The Mitchell boys outside the aquarium.


The grandparents and Uncle Harvey with Mr. Adorable. A quick but very fun and eventful trip. Thanks, everyone!

Yeah, America!

Everyone's celebrating in our house, even the Sesame Street gang. Truman arranged this firetruck tableau this morning.