A Big 11-Monthday

Today we visited Maxine Johnston (right) and Ann Roberts in the Big Thicket town of Batson. What a wonderful visit. We talked and ate lunch and played with babies and then talked some more. We also got to meet Lorraine Bonney. Maxine took more and better pictures, I think, but here is one from my camera:
The babies had a wonderful time exploring Maxine's house ("and look how the coffee table is just the perfect height for cruising," C&D said), throwing O's on her rugs, and soaking up lots of attention and love from so many aunties! Even quiet David gave everyone lots of smiles.

We are determined to go back as soon as Maxine can have us again. The drive is about a hour and a half, about as long as the babies will tolerate in the car if they fall asleep before we leave Houston city limits. Plus, Maxine's house is right near the Lance Rosier Unit, and Matt and I are enthusiastic to take them a good hike soon, before the bugs come back. Sigh. What a fun day.

C&D slept on the way home, and then wanted to play, play, play. Carmen has gotten proficient at pushing her wagon:

and wears such a big smile on her face when she walks behind it. If we load it with my zafu and a box full of Waldorf dollmaking supplies, the wagon is very, very stable. The only problem is that we have to help her turn it around or back up so she can go again; the stiff wheels and broad base don't really allow the wagon to turn. I guess we need a bigger house, or a longer hallway.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we still need to buy our Christmas tree to take the place of the 2004 magnolia that we killed this spring. And we need to wrap, wrap, wrap our presents for our visitors next week. We won't bother wrapping the babies' presents, and in fact have already given them a few here and there, especially on days that have been particularly hairy and I've needed a distraction besides the pots and pans (loud!) or playing with the tupperware cabinet (out of Tupperware! It's all in the freezer!). Favorites from the Christmas closet so far have been their Haba Trix and a mesmerizing Kugelbahn top. Matt has a special surprise for them that they will get to play with on Christmas Day--boxes of Kleenex. (Hey, you won't tell, will you?) C&D--especially David--have so much fun taking things in and out of boxes, that a box of Kleenex should be pure baby-bliss.

Good night!