Fall is here!

Off to gym class -- with Mickey of course

Snoozing with Mickey post gym class

First pony ride at Leila's birthday party

Cruising around uncle John's ranch looking at the cows

Landry hanging with Auntie Amie

Our new Houston space!

Just a little excited about the situation

Fun night out with friends watching a Dave Matthews cover band by the lake

Always cuddling with Mickey

Watching Sissy at gym glass

These two love to paint

Making cupcakes for her friends at school

Meeting for the flea last week.  That's Alyssa, our newest hire.

Lunch post gym class this week

They love Mexican food anywhere, anytime

We picked up pumpkins for the entry this weekend.
Landry loved helping me arrange them.

Caught up with my childhood and college pal Lauren
during our 10-year college reunion weekend

Princess Barretta

Clearly got some of Daddy's curls.

Happy fall, y'all!  My favorite season of the year is here.  Bring on the hot lattes and cozy sweaters!!!

Lots going on around here as usual.  The kids are in school and doing great.  Barrett is still having a hard time at drop off but adjusting well about ten minutes after I leave.  Landry LOVES school and her teacher and new friends.  She tells us all about her day post school from the new songs she learns to the fun projects they complete.

Landry is obsessed with princesses right now.  She loves to play with her little Disney princess figures, dress in costume and wear her tiara around the house.  Her new favorite show is Sofia The First.  She still loves Little Gym and goes twice a week to practice her forward rolls and balance beam skills.

Barrett is really changing.  He's saying more words every day.  He loves to point at body parts and call them out.  He's fallen in love with the Bomb Pop.  He's obsessed with Mickey Mouse.  So much so his teachers bought Mickey a little chair to enjoy lunch and reading time with the rest of the class. He wants to do absolutely anything his big sister is doing which often means playing with dolls and wearing a crown.  Michael says we need some G.I. Joes asap.

We've been packing in some fun family time on the weekends.  A few Saturdays ago we met John and Amie in McKinney for brunch and then to their ranch to let the kids run wild and free.  They loved riding the ATV around the land and spying on the "moo cows." Last weekend Michael had a boys trip with his besties so I planned lots of fun outings with friends and a park play date with Bradley and his new pup Jake. This weekend our friend Bianca hosted a big family-friendly party complete with a bounce house for the babies to burn steam.

Michael and I have tried to break our pattern of holing up at our favorite restaurants (Bob's, R&D, Carbones) and try new places.  Last weekend we caught up over Afghan food at a trendy new place where the cool kids go and this weekend we hopped around town from a trendy new Uptown bar to a fab fish house.  I can't believe we celebrate our five year wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks!

Work is wonderful.  A couple of weeks ago I flew to Houston for two days to tour a space for the flea.  It was perfect so I'm thrilled to say that we are expanding to H-Town next spring!  I'm pouring my energy into the flea right now.  I just hired our intern on full time and she starts next week in addition to a part time graphic designer. We have so many exciting things to announce over the next couple months.  I can't wait to share!

Swim parties, school and surprises

Post dinner cocktails with pals

Surprise visit by my friend Kerri

Michael holding court in the pool with the kids 

How sweet are these uncles?

Totally normal outfit for a morning grocery store run

Barrett's first crush: Olivia

Crazy hair post pool day.

Back to school!

Scene I found when I picked Barrett up from school today

Drinks with my sweet team

Labor Day weekend was a wet one over here.  We had thought about going to the lake, but decided to hang back to celebrate our friend David's birthday.

Our laid back lazy weekend turned into a series of seriously fun dinner dates and pool parties thanks to some super nice weather.  Friday I met up with an old college sorority sister for dinner while Michael had some quality time with the kids.  Saturday we had a dinner date with friends.  My old coworker from The Dallas Morning News surprised us and we quickly made it a group date inviting other pals from the old days.  It was so much fun!

Sunday Jon hosted a birthday party for his partner David at their fabulous home.  They were very sweet and brave to invite our closest friends -- and all 9 of our little ones -- to enjoy a day full of Mexican food, margaritas and pool time.  

Monday we enjoyed the holiday with my college friend Elizabeth and her husband and daughter Olivia (she's three weeks younger than Barrett).  The kids had a ball splashing around the pool and Barrett and Olivia even sealed the date with a kiss (wasn't quick enough to snap the sweet pic).

I feel so blessed that we have such wonderful friends and couldn't think of a better way to spend the weekend meant to celebrate taking a load off from work!

Speaking of work....  Things are busy busy busy.  So much happening right now.  Michael was out of town most of last week in West Texas working his tail off.  I have been plugging away on a couple of residential design jobs as well as the flea's expansion.  I've brought on a business advisor and with his help am working around the clock on incredible plans for 2016 and beyond!!!  

The kids are amazing.  Barrett had his 18 month check up (nearly two months late) and took his shot like a champ -- no tears!  Quivering lip, but no tears! He's in the 80th percentile for height and head circumference and 60th for weight.  Not sure how that last number is even true but that's what they tell me...

He's still not a huge fan of the school drop off but his teachers say he does great ten minutes in.  Landry LOVES school and her classmates.  Today I got to read to her class before dismissal.  It was so sweet and special to see her with her friends.

Tomorrow we have back to back gym classes.  Barrett and I have an hour session and then Landry has her big girl class.  The kids adore their sweet little gym and teachers.  Afterwards I head downtown to some big flea meetings.  It's going to be a fun day!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Ours is filled with birthday parties and a trip to our friends' ranch for some tractor, cow, and cocktails on the porch kinda time.  Will share photos soon!

Bye bye summer

This boy is obsessed with Mickey 

Added another building to the mix for our Nov. 7th show

Landry's new backpack for school

Launching off to swim with daddy

This boy loved the lake.  Silly mommy left his bathing suit at home.

Smiles on board

This gorgeous critter joined the party at the lake 

Swimming with daddy and "the fishes"

Cruising back to the house with Mickey post boat fun

Riding home with Mickey; he doesn't leave his side -- or head

A fun article published recently by D Magazine about the flea

Leaving the first day of school.
Landry refuses to pose for photos these days...

Playing with my jewelry post work today

Today was the kiddos' first day of school.  Landry did great, Barrett was a sad, soggy mess.  He's such a momma's boy; he was far from happy to be away from home.  Although I feel so bad for my sweet Bubba, I am happy the kiddos are back to school, in a routine and meeting new friends.

This weekend we celebrated the end of summer to the fullest.  We took the kiddos to the lake house with our friends Amie and John.  John brought his boat so we could finally get some sea legs on our lake.  We had so much fun.  And the kids were in hog heaven.  Lake Palestine is absolutely beautiful.  We literally owned the place, it's such a nice, peaceful lake.  And the surroundings are so pretty.  We are officially on the hunt for a boat.

The kids were obsessed with the water.  They spent hours swimming with Michael and John (I can't soak in water still post surgery).  Barrett was so excited he was jumping off the boat into the water by the end of the day (that's at least a 1.5 foot drop).  The boy has no fear!!!

As school is revving up, so is Cobb Interiors and The Dallas Flea.  I'm busy pulling two beautiful new builds together for installs in early winter.  The flea is beyond bustling.  In addition to gearing up for the November 7th show we secured a new venue for 2016 and are 90-percent done with landing a location in Houston.  I fly down in two weeks to finalize the deal and meet with some local vendors.

The kids are doing really great.  Both are talking more and more and obsessed with dancing.  Their favorite musician right now is Katy Perry and they request it every morning while eatting their cereal.    This age is really fun.  Although I could totally leave the biting (Barrett) and bossiness (Landry), I love seeing their little personalities forming.