last night we went over to Hyde Park to swim in the pool at Shipe Park. i didn't swim, but instead walked the streets of the neighborhood admire all the pretty houses. i don't know why i love houses so.
a house with character just thrills my heart. it's eye candy for me.



built in 1891, Hyde Park was the first suburb of Austin. it was a big deal back then and seemed way far north, reached by street car. actually it's only a mile or so from downtown. it's full of Victorian homes and turn of the century bungalows that have so much character, some restored and some pretty much in the same state they were a hundred years ago.







it's about a mile and a half from our house, on the other side of the interstate, but it seems worlds away. when i'm over there it's so easy to imagine i've gone back in time. they have this great park, Shipe, named after the developer of the neighborhood, Monroe Shipe. i took the kids there all the time when they were much younger because it has a very shallow wading pool so i could keep up with all babies at once much easier. lately i've been reminded that it's still a great place to take the kids even though they're big. there is a creek that runs through it, and a basketball court, a deep lap pool, and wonderful old oaks to climb.

when Brian and i were training for the marathon we'd run through Hyde Park every sunday morning before the crack of dawn on our way down to town. it was so quiet and peaceful and you almost forgot that you were right off the interstate.

anyways, i really enjoyed my walk last night. i think i'd almost always rather run or walk through a neighborhood than on a trail.

vbs has been good this week. i've worked every morning in the baby nursery and have had different moms come in to be my helper each day. i love one on one time with other moms like that. we haven't had very many babies, so there has been lots of time to talk.

well, i have Margaret in the kitchen making rosemary bread, so i'd better go check on how it's going.

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tonight Margaret is baby sitting the three little boys she takes care of. it's her first evening sitting job, so Brian has gone over to sit with her the last hour or so. boy does it make a momma feel old when her baby starts babysitting!

we've been on the hunt for a middle name for Hazel. i've looked through so many "old fashioned baby names" lists that they're all starting to run together. any suggestions?

it is a wonder what this baby has done for Brian and i! maybe it's this way for any couple that has a baby later in there marriage (is 13 and a half years considered later?), but it has drawn us so much closer! we're like newlyweds again. not that we ever loss the spark or anything, but there is a greater sense of love and respect for each other than ever before. it is really special.