Summer 2018: AUGUST

Back in Austin just long enough to get re-acclimated to CST, and then off to a stay-cation to celebrate Brian Hack turning 40. It was a surprise for him, which made it fun. Meghan had quite the weekend planned out: day at the South Congress Hotel Pool, the most amazing dinner at Otoko, spend the night (kidless) at South Congress Hotel, followed by brunch, more pool time, dinner at June's, and a party at The Golden Goose with a larger group of friends. We were spent afterwards but had the best time. Forty hours celebrating forty years!

The kiddos did gymnastics camp for a week at Champions. It was actually really cute - they both had fun, and I didn't have to run all over town doing various drop offs/pick ups.

Then off to Houston to visit Daddy. A quick 24 hour trip, but it was fun for the kids to have a change of scenery - they tend to thrive on that.

Then we kicked off the start of school. Hip hip hooray for routines! Structure! Early bed time!

Heading into one of the best dinners of my life.

The birthday boy and his amazing wife. Great party planner!

Our meal at Otoko was 22 courses and paired with sake. There are only about 10 seats around the sushi bar - the most amazing, intimate experience. So intimate that I felt like I had to sneak this photo. There weren't really any opportunities to take other photos.

And Justin one sneaky pic... our view. The sushi chef was a true artist.

Frozen drinks poolside: yes please!

Our attempt at a selfie. How do those young kids make it look so easy?

Meanwhile, Laura and Kiki watched these two monkeys.

Kiki took them to Hadley Greager's birthday party, complete with a petting zoo.

... and silly friends,

View of South Congress from the South Congress Hotel pool.

A painting hanging in the hotel gym at South Congress.

When we got home on Sunday, we were a little beaten up from too little sleep and too much fun. We insisted that we all take naps Sunday afternoon. Eleanor wrote me and Justin tickets/violations: "Mom stayed up too late." Yes, indeed, Eleanor.

Fun dinner at Clark's with Nana.

Farmer's market fun. They had a scavenger hunt for kids to complete. After complete, they received coupons for free popsicles. 

A suite at The Round Rock Express game, thanks to Texas National Title. Sometimes my job has perks!

Eleanor meets a new friend, Georgia, at the game. Georgia (my boss's daughter) will attend Mathews 1st grade starting in October. Fun that Eleanor will be able to show her around and help her make new friends.

Checking out the game up close...

Spike, the mascot, make an appearance in our suite:)

When Mommy has to work, Daddy takes kids to an arcade (aka brave soul). Justin actually had this exact arcade game in his first apartment in Chicago.

Off to Houston to visit Daddy "at work." You realize just how much Daddy travels when you realize your room is this one...

Fisher testing out his bed.

Sister too...

We hung out at the pool - all to ourselves - while Daddy worked.

Pork chopping

Cutest dinner dates ever.

Then off to dessert. Progressive meal.

Abbreviated version of the zoo on before heading back to Austin.

Play date at Austin Bouldering Project with Fisher's best bud from Athena - Charlie DeFrank. These two are going to miss being at the same school this year.

We hit up the Austin Central Public Library, right before Times Magazine named it one of the Greatest Places in the World. I tend to agree... it's gorgeous and incredibly unique. Definitely not the stuffy libraries I grew up in.

Our FIRST grader!

Even though it wasn't Fisher's first day, he escorted her to school.

Riding her bike to school for the first time. A big girl, with a real bike lock!

Mazilla, the school mascot.

Mrs. Lish

Fish still had 2 more days of summer with mom. Off for a bike ride on the boardwalk while I ran...

The day is here! My kids are at the same school again! All day! No car required!
(only one of us cried at dropoff...)

Mrs. McMillan

What better way to celebrate the first week of school under our belts than an adult boat outing. Austin in August = being in any type of water in order to survive the heat.

Speaking of August heat... you know it's not safe to be outside when a rubber ball melts on your pool deck. Pool also hit a whopping 105 degrees. So we now have a very large hot tub.