We had a busy day! First, we went to Hula Hut with Emily, Lizzie and Khanh for lunch where we managed an extraordinary feat: keeping an eighteen-month-old relatively happy during an hour wait and then through lunch. Here's what worked the best:

Me [phone to my ear]: "Um, yes, you'd like to speak to Emmylou? Well, of course, she's right here, just hang on... One sec." [Handing phone to Emmylou] "It's for you, Emmylou!"

Emmylou [taking phone and putting it to her ear]: "Aa-da?"

"Buh ju-doo buh"
"Uh me jah" [nodding head, very importantly].


Also, never underestimate the power of a wind-up toy:





After lunch, Emily and I took Emmylou to the Austin City Limits Music Festival (for Emmylou's second year!). Gary was already there and we met up with him for a few minutes as soon as we got there.

Then, Emmylou enjoyed watching the drum circle in the Austin Kiddie Limits area (we apparently missed the part where they handed out the instruments)...



playing in the sand while we listened to Lucinda Williams...



and then she got a harmonica! Um, she loved that thing.





Emmylou's favorite musician was clearly Regina Spektor. She really took notice when she started playing the piano.

What a difference a year makes, right?

Last year...
Today...


And with Lizzie last year...


and me today!