Austin, Texas

Our trip to Austin for sxsw had a very large impact on Alex. First off, he is obsessed with all things Texas. If he sees a car with Texas plates, he will proclaim “Austin, Texas car!” The other day he saw the the outline of the state on my feather duster and proclaimed “look Mommy, Austin, Texas!”

Then there is Austin, Texas bear. When we arrived in Austin, we stopped at a supermarket for some supplies for the weekend and I picked up four stuffed animals — one each for our little hosts, Charlotte and Gavin, and then one each for Alex and Nate since I didn’t want them to feel left out. Alex got a bear, and Nate, a frog. I suggested he name him Austin, but Alex insists on calling him by his full name, “Austin, Texas Bear.” (I also suggested calling the Froggie Tex, but he too is apparently named Austin, Texas).

Charlotte and Gavin, too, are strong in Alex’s memory. Two weeks ago I bought a set of four kid-sized purple chairs for the back porch. Remembering the similar chairs at Charlotte and Gavin’s house, Alex loves to explain that the chairs are for “Alex, Nate, Charlotte, and Charlotte’s baby.”

But back to Austin, Texas Bear — he’s Alex’s current favorite companion. Alex sleeps with Austin, Texas Bear, and wants to bring him everywhere. He insists that Nate sleep with Austin, Texas Froggie, too. Adorable.