Monday, June 21, 2010

A Texas Style Vacation!

We're back! For the past 8 days we have been vacationing "Deep in the Heart of Texas!" Or maybe I should call this our Texas tour? We did so many fun activities that I am going to have to do several posts to share our adventures.

We flew to San Antonio last Saturday morning. The night before I saw that there was a "chance of rain", well that chance turned into thunderstorms that delayed our departure flight. But everyone was still in good spirits and excited to go. Really, the boys were beyond excited! I, on the other hand, was a little nervous since Rylan had not flown before. I did not know what to expect from him but to our surprise both boys were angels! Words can not explain it, but they both loved every minute of the flight...they colored, did stickers, ate snacks, it was like a party! Once we arrived in San Antonio, we wasted no time after getting checked-in and went touring. First stop, The Riverwalk. We went to eat, you guessed it Mexican. Then over to the Alamo. We only were able to see part of the Alamo since it was closing. We made plans to go back on Sunday.
Sunday was a BIG day. Both boys were up bright and early ready to explore. Our first stop was Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum. I think the name says it all. Doesn't it just scream "a cowboy's dream?" Yep, the boys loved it! Afterwards, we walked back to finish touring the Alamo. Then off for a riverboat tour on the Riverwalk. We had a great guide and learned so much but was it HOT!!! Look at poor Rylan's face... YIKES! As Holden said to me, "Momma, Rylan looks like he is overheating." Poor thing was so hot and tired he just pooped out! Thankfully, our next stop was inside. at the San Antonio Children's Museum. What a cute museum with a Spanish twist. While Rylan slept Holden played. But we did not leave before Rylan got his chance to experience some of the fun.
What a fun day!

Monday, we headed over to the Witte Museum to see the much anticipated Dinosaurs!! What a wonderful exhibit! We literally had to bribe Holden and Rylan to leave so we could see more of the museum! There were animals, pioneers, and the HEB Tree house.
After exploring and lunch we set our sites a little farther south, McAllen, Texas, to see Aunt Becky Ann and Uncle Eddie!

Look at our little travelers....
resting up for more exploring and surprises!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Summer Games at Sharon Woods

Have I mentioned what great parks we have? Well, we do! All of our parks are beautifully maintained, they are all so unique, and they have great events for families and kids. Today's event was "Summer Games". The park had set up stations for beach ball volleyball, sidewalk chalk, corn hole, hula hoops, ball toss, and other activities. Holden loved beach ball volleyball so much that he ended up playing it the entire time. On the other hand, Rylan was curious and wanted to try everything out!!!
After an hour or so it was getting pretty hot! So we packed up and drove across the lake to Sharon Harbour. On the way there we spotted a deer in the road! (Sorry for the blurry picture)I read that there was a playground with a water feature, perfect for a day like this! We just had to see what it was all about.
I think the pictures say enough!
I am not exactly sure what Rylan was doing but it just made me laugh!
Holden "pretending" he was Indian Jones on the search for fossils.(Here is the lake, the boys were admiring the paddle boats and canoes.)
The boys had a wonderful time! Seriously, they did not want to leave! Best part of the day, beside the smiles on the boys faces, it was that everything was FREE!!!

Now, I am sure you can see why I love the area parks! Not to mention, there are so many more that we have not even seen yet!!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Ahead of the Craze

The latest craze here in the Ohio Valley is Silly Bandz! If you have not heard of them they are rubber bands in shapes of various things.

You are suppose to collect them, trade them, wear them. Holden received some for his birthday last year and more for Christmas. We have an entire container of these silly things! But now the trend has now hit Ohio! I probably have received 4 or 5 emails asking where to buy them or where someone has found them. Crazy! But while everyone is driving around searching for the latest trend, we are at home playing with them! So now, I am watching my southern friends to find out what the newest trend is and will be. I always want to stay of the game! Since most trends will probably not make it to this area as quickly as it does in the South!

Rain day activity

We have had several summer showers, which means...playing indoors. As a spur of the moment craft, we used marshmallows and tooth picks to build. The boys had fun creating and eating!
Mr. imagination came up with this....

Can you guess who he says he is?
Popeye! Pretty clever this little one.

Who would have thought something so simple could help pass the time.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Eating Bugs...

On our weekly trip to the library, we signed up for their summer reading program, "Hop Into A Good Book". How it works is, we have to read 40 books and record them on the list provided. Once completed, we return our list in to receive an incentive. Such as, a book, ice cream coupon, or a meal from Chick-fil-a. Holden loves to read and was eager to sign up. Since he is not reading on his own, we are working on it so hopefully by the end of the summer, we have to read to him. Which is not a bad thing:)
I went prepared with a list of books to borrow, however, they were all checked out! Either way we found plenty of great ones. Including this one, "Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs". On the way home, I had the bright idea that we would eat bugs after we read the book. And that is just what we did! I had Holden cover his eyes and told him we were going to eat bugs. But to his surprise, instead I made dirt cups with worms and ants on a log.
What a fun way to spend a rainy morning, reading and eating bugs.
I will have to come up with more book and a snack ideas to accompany our summer reading.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Messy Monday!

Today we continued our theme for the summer, "Messy Monday." And what a mess it was!!! We played with homemade play dough and moon sand. Anytime you have sand in a box, that you can carry, there is bound to be a mess! Sure enough, it was. Oh well, the boys had so much fun and Holden commented how much he loves "Messy Monday's". I just had to ask why, and his response was, "Because we can do whatever we want and make a huge mess and not get in trouble." Well, I guess that is the whole point of our new Monday's. To add to today's fun, we made homemade strawberry ice cream! Can you see I had two willing tasters?

Yummy!

Happy Monday!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Berry Picking

This morning, we packed up early and went strawberry picking at Blooms & Berries. I read an article online that said this week was the prime time for strawberries and they were not kidding! Just look at these beauties! The "harvest" was bountiful, and we did not have to search very hard for great ones. And look at these two, enjoying every minute of picking too. It do not take us long to pick so much...we ended up picking 10 pounds! Crazy, I know!!!I plan to make jam, homemade ice cream, freeze some for smoothies, muffins and such. And plus every play date we have this week will be eating strawberries for snack. HA! Just kidding!!
This is one of my favorite activities to do with the boys for a couple of reasons, one they love to be outside and two they enjoy eating whatever we pick. So it is a win-win activity for all!

As a treat for the boys, we stopped at United Dairy Farmers for ice cream. Even though it was barely 10:00. It's the weekend, we have to break the rules sometimes.

Lessons learned from soccer

Spring soccer season has ended. I know what you are thinking, wow, that was fast! Yeah me too. With the end of the season, I thought I would share a couple of lessons that Holden learned:

Lesson Learned #1: How to dance while defending the goal. I think we have mastered this skill:)
Lesson Learned #2: How to have a tea party with the girls on the sidelines.

Lesson Learned #3: How to make a goal!

Lesson Learned #4: How to fall and dust yourself off.

Lesson Learned #5: The final lesson, the art of negotiation. Somehow Holden negotiated a dollar for each goal. Not only from us but from his Grammy & Dad-Daddy too! Don't worry, he already cashed it in at Target and bought a toy! I am sure you can guess, the money was burning a hole in his pocket!!

Overall I would have to say this soccer season was a success. Holden had a great time and can not wait for soccer in the fall.