Living in Munchkinland

When Michael and I lived in Arizona for our four month stint, we made an effort to attend different festivals in the area. It was really fun and we made a promise to ourselves to continue that practice when we returned home. There are so many festivals around us and often we don't go just because we haven't been before. That's a silly reason! So we have begun attending more and more of these events. Here are a few events that we hope to attend this year. If you want to come with us, let me know! And note, a couple of these are coming up so get them on your calendar. Peach Jamboree, Stonewall, June 21 Watermelon Thump, Luling, June 28 Ice Cream Festival, Austin, Aug 16 Hot Sauce Festival, Austin, Aug 24 Grapefest, Grapevine, Sept 11-14 Oktoberfest, Fredericksburg, Oct 3-5 Texas Renaissance Festival, Plantersville, Oct 11-Nov 30 First Night, Austin, Dec 31 Zilker Kite Festival, Austin, March 1 Mela at Barsana Dahm, Austin, April Hill Country Food and Wine Festival, Hil

We spent our weekend in Sugarland with the in-laws. It was fantastic. The kids swam and played outside and enjoyed being with Grandma and Grandpa. We went to the zoo with the kids and went on two dates without them. Michael and I had sushi one night at the Sugarland town center and the next afternoon we checked out Houston's Alamo Drafthouse. Davis says his favorite part of the trip was getting to feed the birds with Grandma in his pajamas and barefoot. Michael's favorite part of the trip was catching a bass with Davis' tiny fishing pole. My favorite part was getting to go on a minivacation! Enjoy the pics. And if you have any suggestions for other fun things to do in Houston, let me know. We plan to go visit again soon. Love, A

Here is something Michael and I have been mulling over for the last few years. How do other people maintain a social life after having children? I want to ask this question because I really want to hear all of your answers. This isn't a subtle hint to our friends. It's isn't a plea for fun. I just want to know if other people feel this way and if they do how do they deal with it and if they don't how did they figure it all out? We love being with other people and before we had children we used to be able to assume that we had something to do on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. We would invite people to meet us at a bar, or a show, or out for dinner and they would invite us. After we had children, the invitations dwindled- both the ones we issued and the ones we received. Our new lifestyle (think screaming newborn that is constantly breastfed) kept us in on weekend nights, but we still ventured out during the day. Our single friends weren't necessarily

Sam is talking a lot. He has three or four new words everyday. He's about six months ahead of where Davis was and Davis was a pretty early talker. I guess it's true what they say about second children learning faster. I hope it's true for potty training! Sam's pronunciation is not perfect by any means. His way of saying Phone sounds suspiciously like the f-word. I took a video to illustrate. I also took a rather long video with Sam asking him to show off some of his words. The two movies are enbedded below and also added to the links on the side. For a look back, check out a similar video starring Davis at age two Here . Enjoy!

The Season Premiere is tonight. This is my favorite show on TV right now followed closely by Top Chef. Tune in. Why? Cat Deeley, fantastic dancers, great choreography. Check out the following two videos and you will understand why. So You Think You Can Dance Ramalama Bang Bang - Funny home videos are a click away

We had a good time this last weekend in Port A. Up until recently, vacations were so much work with the kids that it was debatable as to whether they were truly relaxing. My friend Cheris put it perfectly during one of our last beach trips , when she said it was 75% work and 25% fun. Well, I think we have turned a corner because this last trip was only 40% work and 60% fun. Waahooo! We actually had a blast. We went with Mimi and Papa and GiGi and Gramp and Lilliana. Davis is finally of an age where he loves the beach. Michael spent a majority of our beach time building sand castles with the kids. Sam is no longer eating sand, though he does have a penchant for running towards oncoming cars. Still, it's progress. We rented a beach buggy and drove out to the bird sanctuary and then down the beach. We watched big boats go through the cut and ate delicious food. Marchelle arrived half way through our trip! We were so happy! Davis especially was overjoyed. We ate fudge fro

I have something to admit. I'm a change addict. I'm just realizing this about myself. I always like to be anticipating, or going through a life change. Since I left home at 18, I've been doing SOMETHING. One year at NYU and then I needed a change. Arizona was great, but I needed to go home in the summers and travel. Then a move to New York, followed a year later by a move across the country to L.A, then four months in Aruba. Then a planned wedding, then a crash and burn move back home. Then a decision to move to Austin to open a theatre company. Followed by show after show and vacation after vacation. I bought a house and moved. Then I met my husband and planned a wedding. Then a trip to Europe. Then a new baby. Then a new house and another move, followed by a second baby. Then a move to Arizona. Then a move home, followed by a decision to remodel and move again. Then a new house. I need to mention that these changes are never more than six months apart.

All I want to do is travel. I've got the bug. I day dream about it, and research it, and pull out my calculator and try to justify it. Want to talk about travel? Need ideas? Call me! I've got lots. Food and wine festivals, resorts with kid care, cruises, rv trips, performances, parades, these are all favorite travel specialties. Travel and cooking. My two favorite things to do. We're leaving for the beach tomorrow. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to it. On the road again...

Does anyone want to buy two tickets to Eddie Izzard in Austin on June 8th? We have two extra. Let me know!

Happy Mother's Day! Motherhood has taught me so much. It has changed me profoundly. It has brought me into my own. It has given me a community, a chance to define my values, a chance to love more than I had ever loved before. It is the hardest job I have ever held and the most rewarding. I am so thankful for my children. I want to toast all the mothers out there who have become my community through the last four years. For the support, love and commiseration, I thank you. You are amazing examples of motherhood and I am so lucky to know and learn from all of you. To my sisters, Tiffany and Melissa, you are great mothers and have raised some fun, feisty, independent, intelligent boys that I am proud to call my nephews. I am also so thankful for my grandmother and my husband's mother. Beautiful, strong women who have each taken a hand in mothering me, my children and my husband. GiGi, I am so lucky to be so close to you and I enjoy your presence in our lives every day. M

Sammy has finally adopted a lovie. It's a soft stuffed dog and he's carrying it around everywhere. This sparked a new discussion. "What's Sammy's lovie?", I asked Davis, in order to teach him so he wouldn't go and snatch it away. "It's his dog.", he replied. "What's your lovie?", I asked. "It's my black lovie!", said Davis. (It's an old dark grey, ratty t-shirt I used to nurse in.) "What's Mommy's lovie?" I was curious to see what he said. "Mommy's lovie is Daddy!", announced Davis. "What's Daddy's lovie?" "Daddy's lovie is his computer!" In a different conversation, I told Davis he was my best friend. "No, you're, not.", he said, "Daddy's my best friend! You take care of us. You take care of Daddy, and Sammy and me. You help us cross the street." Ah, our roles defined three year old style.

We had a party yesterday. It was a BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic). It was really fun. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Cool, mid-seventies, good breeze, blue skies. Lovely. It was great to spend time with friends and share our new home. We're thinking of making this annual thing with camping. Check out flickr for more pics. Love, Amber

Every morning, the kids watch Sesame Street. And every morning, during the end credits, we have a dance party. This has been going on for months. I thought I'd share it with you. If you're wondering what we're doing every day at 7:59AM, this is it.