Today started so well. A walk in gorgeous 70-degree weather, breakfast in hand:

And it ended pretty well, so I'm going to willfully forget all the puddles (etc.) that I mopped up after Leif today.

Up early, extra morning

If we are up at 630 in the morning, we have lots more time to do fun things. Especially if the weather turns wet and then cool.

So after playing in the rain, then puddles, then pirates, with tea and breakfast thrown in somwhere, we decide a walk was a great way to wear out outfit #3 post-pjs.

Bonus: brings us right to lunch time and naps. I wonder how many sets of clothes will be used in the afternoon.  I will hold off on laundry just in case.

Sunday mornings

Barn building in Boerne (May!)

These two cuties are ready for summer vaca time!

 And off we go on our first excursion to Boerne for Phil and Papaw to build a barn in the back pasture.

Here is post-day-1 where the holes have been dug for the corner posts.

 In between the heavy work, there was also the work of feeding Ellie, playing in stick forts, and picking up colorful glass.

 A week of rain. It was really amazing.  Here the kids and Papaw are watching Phil come up from said back pasture.

 The womenfolk and children would approach the construction site multiple times throughout the day supplying snacks, drinks, and witty banter. 

The children provided additional entertainment.

We felt it was the least we could do.

 Builder-in-Training

 There's always something to do on the farm.

 Meanwhile the working and the snacking continues.

Everyone likes a little ladder time.

 Geemaw is Lois Lane.

Reading and counting through the 12 bugs of Christmas.

 Leif teasing his fellow October tenth birthday companion, Packa, by way of walking stick.

 As I said, everyone likes some ladder time.

 Both kids did great feeding Ellie the new calf, although Leif does look timid holding onto Nana here.  

Unfortunately, the closest picture I have to showing the finished project for the week.  Clearly, it has Naomi's blessing and she has decided to do a dance production therein.  Wondering what next year's big project will be!

Summer time catch-up (el primero)

Here is a little video teaser of the Boerne trip we made back in May.

Barn raising project to come...

You just never know about a day

It all started so well with a clean house, low-key breakfast, and three friends coming over with their children. It ended with 5 internal stitches and 11 external ones at Cook's ER.

Once we got the bandaged applied at home (top right) and the bleeding went down, he was fairly calm. Then he was swaddled to prepare for the stitches and didn't care for that or the chin hold (middle pic). Superman held firm and as he predicted may happen, Leif relinquished the fight and took a brief nap.  On the left, you can see him post-procedure with a popcicle.

Then the biggest problem became him removing his bandaids.  Thankfully with some friends' advice and his exhaustion, bandaid #5 made it through nap time and all the way to the bedtime replacement. 

A brief look at his stitches, and finally some smiling faces. Thankful for the prayers and care from many people today, and the God that hears them and takes care of us day in and out.  

"Naomi," with the dot for the I colored on the paper above the pink marker. Smart cookie.

Visits from grandparents!

 Around Easter, we can count on Nana and Papaw to supply us with cascarones.

Leif got them on his head and down his shirt thanks to sis. Sad really when he only put them on the floor and stomped on them. No "harm" to anyone.

Walk time! Exploring our pocket of NRH.

 Two weeks later, Grandma and Opa arrive. On the way to the zoo, we detoured past the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. (But the picture on the right is actually lavender growing in the Bassett's botanic garden).

 Though it was a quick 20-minute stop, our children managed to play in at least 8 water elements. But look how happy they are!

 Friday was a perfect zoo day. Good weather. Not too busy.  Lion roared. Hippos yawned. Cheetahs paced. Gorilla banged on the window (yet again).

 Leif enjoyed the baby elephant, but really Grandma was more comfortable.

 

 New development: Leif bringing books to you to read. He fits right in with the rest of the family.

At UD for an Easter egg hunt Saturday. Leif got to go first with the 1 and 2 year olds. Naomi waited patiently for her turn in the 3 and 4 year old field.

 Look at these two hat-wearing, peep-eating cuties. 

 Pavlova for coffee after church.

 Happy Easter from the Bassett fam. "He is risen indeed!"