Walking in the Park

On the last day of May, Lillian and I went for a walk at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center in Memorial Park. Lillian’s theory of walking has two parts: 1) run, stopping when there is something interesting to look at like a bug or a stick or a flower; 2) get grandpa to carry her when she’s done running.

 

Climbing

Lillian’s at the park with Lauren, climbing.

Afternoon Musings: A Video

Lillian climbed to the top of the play structure built for her uncle Richard twenty years ago, and offered these meditations for the edification of all and sundry.

Lillian and a Holly Tree

Talking Head: A Video

Lillian’s commentary on the new year.

All-Weather Girl

Lillian believes that rain is something created simply to bring her delight. If her grand father would allow it, she’d be out in the rain and cold all day, running and shouting and singing (she finds his careful scientific explanations of the effects of lightning strikes on two-year old girls to be less than convincing). When walking through wet parking lots, she jumps in every puddle she passes to test it for effectiveness — sometimes other passers-by are in too close proximity to be completely charmed by this.

The fact is, she likes being outside: when the cold north wind blows in winter, she points her face to the wind and laughs; when it’s hot and humid in the summer, she lies in the grass and sings. When flowers bloom in the spring, she plucks their petals; when leaves fall in the autumn, she squats on the ground to study them. She’s happy to chase or be chased by dogs or aunts or cousins; and she’s always up for half an hour of swinging.

She is a joy.

Lillian Explains Geometry to her Great-Aunt Holly

Now We Are Two: A Video

Lillian Grace turns two years old today. In this video, she bangs on her new drum while hamming for her dad as he takes pics and she climbs at the park. Happy birthday, kiddo!

Cooling Off Again

Relaxing

It’s July in Houston and it’s hot. (You could say that about April, May, June, August, September and October in Houston, too. And sometimes the rest of the months, too.) Lillian likes water, whether it’s in the pool, in a dog’s bowl, in the rain, in a puddle — if it’s wet, she will find it.

At the Top of the Stairs

Top of the world!

Lillian loves to climb stairs. She spent a couple of hours at the park going up and down the stairs on playground equipment.