Nature's Way

Spencer started a new preschool in late September—Nature's Way, which is part of the Austin Nature and Science Center in Zilker Park. It's the only preschool that we got on the list for when he was a baby. Our good friends Jessie and Cooper went there and we heard how magical it was from their mom. We're pretty sure she had something to do with Spencer making the cut, along with Dave and Spencer's frequent trips to the ANSC where they talked to the director and various teachers. However it happened, we are feeling beyond blessed around here.

As you might guess from the school's name, it is very focused on the outdoors—they spend most of their time outside, rain or shine. There's have a huge playground covered by a canopy of oak trees, with a giant sand area complete with water hoses, shovels and PVC pipe, as well as access to paints, musical toys, puppets, etc. They take a hike every day. They eat lunch outdoors. Sometimes animals from the ANSC will visit their class. He comes home dirty and sweaty and happy as a clam!

Spencer is in the Hummingbirds class with seven other 3-yr-olds and a class frog. He has a male teacher and a male teaching assistant, and he adores them both (and they are beyond awesome with the kids). Here's a quick example of how great his teacher is. The third day of class, Spencer brought a huge yellow moth that we had found in a parking lot over the weekend. When we returned on Wednesday, his teacher had it on display with a note saying it was donated by Spencer, along with all sorts of information he had found about the moth. Made the boy feel special.

He is going to thrive here—it was obvious from the first day when Dave could barely tear him away to go home and then he talked non-stop during dinner about his day. This is a picture I took from my office while Spencer was telling Dave about something he learned on his hike the first day:

The program is just two mornings a week, so he still goes to his Montessori school two mornings as well. The only downside? His old school is now "boring" (direct quote). But we told him that maybe he can bring new ideas to the old school and make it more exciting for everyone. He likes that idea.

4th of July Recap

Daddy left for California early on the 4th, kicking off a 5-day Spencer and Mommy hangout. It's rare for us to have so much one-on-one time, so I've really been enjoying it.

We had such a busy 4th of July. We went to our neighborhood parade in the morning. Spencer wore the crown he made at school and his Super Spencer cape. He alternated between riding in the stroller and walking, but either way he waved to the crowd and waved his little flag the whole time. The parade ended at Barton Hills Elementary, where there was a party with watermelon, cookies and ice cream. Unfortunately, the ice cream was gone before we tried to get some, so we went to Central Market for gelato afterward (at 10:30 AM - oh my!).

We rested at home for a few hours, then went to the "sometimes annual" Trahan-Hill 4th of July bash. Spencer had fun running around with Sarah and getting tattoos.

There was a HUGE waterslide. I was proud of Spencer - he really wanted to try it but wasn't so sure about going all the way to the top. The big boys were flying down that thing and slamming into the wall so that was a little intimidating. So Spencer climbed half-way up and Elliott lifted him over the side. It was a good way to experience it the first time. He did that twice then was ready to get out of his wet swimsuit.

We got home from the party around 7:30 PM. Spencer had been talking about going to the fireworks show for several days. I was dog-tired, but he said he wanted to go so I gave him a quick bath then we headed to Zilker Park. I missed the memo that the fireworks extravaganza is no longer held at Zilker - it's over by the Long Center...but we could still see the fireworks fine, just no symphony. We cuddled on a blanket and ooohed and ahhhhed at the show and had fun getting surprised by all the "pretend fireworks," which is what Spencer called the Roman candles and firecrackers that people were setting off around us in the park.

Spencer was asleep before we got out of the parking lot. A big day for our little guy.

Low-Key Weekend

We had a nice, low-key weekend. On Saturday mornning we headed to BookPeople to see our new favorite band The Que Pastas. We were excited that Ella and her mommy, daddy and nana met us there. Later that afternoon, Sarah and Ken came over to play, then we went to Phil's/Amy's for an early dinner and of course ice cream. You know you might treat your child to Amy's Ice Creams too often when he walks up to the counter and confidentally says, "A tiny Belgian chocolate, please!"

It's kinda neat now when one of Spencer's friends comes over to play and they can just run around without constant supervision. At one point things were a tad too quiet for my taste, so I peeked in on them and this is what I found:

Sunday was a super fun "Spencer and Mommy Day." We made pizza pockets for lunch...

Then we made a cardboard heart-shaped bird feeder and hung it in the yard. (We will relocate it today - that wasn't the best spot to hang a birdfeeder.)

Both of those activities were compliments of Spencer's Highlights High Five magazine. Our friend Christa sent him a subscription for Christmas and we're really enjoying it.

After that, we spent a few hours at Zilker park and even took a ride on the Zephyr. It was a great day!