Sunday in the Garden

Okay, so we don't really have a garden. But I'm going to use poetic license and appropriate the British use of the word garden--which just means yard. Charming, don't you think? Creates a whole different mood.

Whatever the word, the mood in the garden this weekend was good. Sunday was absolutely sublime: perfect breeze, blue skies, puffy white clouds, etc. Meredith and I inspected everything (by which I mean, Mer took a bite of everything).

First there were acorns:


Then the last of the zinnias:


Then we practiced standing:


And considered the wonder of it all.


Happy fall, yall.

The Coolest Thing about Tennessee

This weekend we visited our friends Sarah and Sean and their son Olly. Olly has lots of toys. Wonderful, colorful, musical, educational toys. Meredith enjoyed them very much. I'm pretty sure that in this picture, Mer is thinking "Mom! Whya been holdin' out on me?" Yes folks, the secret is out. Meredith is now fully aware that the measuring cups and the empty hair gel container full of popcorn kernels are NOT toys.


Instead of toys, we pretty much just have books. And I swear, it's not cause I'm trying to be overly cerebral, it's just that books are what I love. Like today, for instance. Our second free book from Dolly Parton arrived. For those of you who may only know the most obvious things about Dolly, you should also know that she is an incredibly cool and wise lady and she gives free books to all the children of Tennessee. Last month, the joy began with "The Little Engine that Could." When I opened the mailbox and realized that our first book had arrived, I had that rush of joy that you get when you're a little kid and you get to the toy at the bottom of the cereal box. Or when the big box of Christmas presents arrives from your aunt and uncle who live in Germany. Or when you realize that today is some minor holiday and you had forgotten all about it, and the teacher is passing out cupcakes. You know what I'm talking about? Pure joy. And the book wasn't even for me. At all. In the least. I'm already living vicariously through my daughter. So free books from Dolly...that's the best thing about living in Tennesee.

Anyway, now our second book has arrived, and the fun continues. It's entitled "No Biting!" and has lots of little life lessons for toddlers. Below, Meredith demonstrates her ability to follow directions.



Soon after this, Meredith actually read (perused) the book. Then she decided that some of the information therein might be useful for Maggie, so she scheduled a short tutorial. I'm sure that Maggie will change her behavior immediately. Meredith was very stern.

Meredith and Her Convertible

Maggie, help me get in here.


Mom, my will power is not enough to get me into my car.


I'm in! I'm in!


See, my car is essential in helping me reach things so many important things.


Like my New Order cd.



I will now sing a song about how much I love my car.

Good Times in the Backyard

Beautiful weather these days, aye? Here's what's going on in the Lareau backyard. Come over whenever you want.

Walt and Meredith pontificate on the meaning of life.


Walt and the Giant Red Ball.


Walt and Meredith dance with the crazy man.

Labor Free Weekend in the Rock

We spent the weekend in Calico Rock with dear old Roberto, my mom and dad, and my Aunt Daryl and Uncle Stan. Despite the fact that Meredith is taking teething to a level heretofore unseen in her life, we still really enjoyed ourselves. I'm so glad I already have all my teeth.


"This is where it hurts, mom."


Robert caught one of the biggest and most beautiful rainbows we've ever seen. He's officially a fly fisherman!



This is pretty much all we did all weekend. And that's oooooookay.