Just Playing in the Rain!

As I said earlier it was raining on Saturday and these two could not resist playing in it!

Air Force Museum

Saturday our plans were to explore a new park and nature trail. However, after waking up to rain showers I knew we had to change our plans. Instead we headed over to Dayton to the US Air Force Museum. I had wanted to take the boys for a while now but just have not had the time. I thought the boys would enjoy seeing real air planes and army guys, and I was correct! Just look at these two! This museum was amazing with all the exhibits, history, memorabilia, tours, displays, and literature. It will take us several visits to actually see everything in the museum. Either way it was a great way to spend a rainy Saturday together as a family!

Never Grows Old!

It just never grows old....that is the Discovery Gardens. The boys, including myself, love this place! Each time we go they are growing something new, have a new exhibit, have a new scavenger hunt, and have new demonstrations. It just does not grow old! Today when we visited, the boys discovered so many new things but I think they enjoyed the nature talk most of all! They talked about colors and how there are many different colors in the garden. They finished off by making rainbow bracelets, which does not seem like much but the beads change when they are in the sunlight so that made them extra special. And we can not go a day without getting wet. They had the misters on and I am sure you can guess where my two were...right under them!

One of the newest gardens is the vegetable garden. We just happen to be touring when the naturalist was watering and look at the treats we were able to bring home.

I just can not say enough about this cute garden except, I am sooooo glad we discovered it!

Woodland Mound

We have finished our wet playground "tour" for the summer! Yesterday, we met some friends at Parky's Wetlands for some fun in the sun.

Woodland Mounds is located on the Ohio River, so the view was beautiful. The theme for this wet playground was wetland animals. The boys had fun sliding, spraying, and "laying" out!

Verdict: Another great park!

Rodeo...Yee-Haw!

Last night we took the boys to Fox Hollow Rodeo! My friend Sarah and her family along with my friend Tracy and her girls joined us for a night at the rodeo. Ever since our vacation to Texas, Holden has been talking about the rodeo and especially the Muttin' Bustin'. If you do not recall the Muttin' Bustin' it is when the kids get to ride on the sheep, kind of like bull riding for kids. When I was looking for things to do, I read that Fox Hollow had Muttin' Bustin', and I knew we just had to give this place a visit!

All week Holden has been asking,"Is today the rodeo?" "When are we going to the rodeo?" He was beyond excited.

Both boys wore their boots, belt buckle, and hats, just like a cowboys! But when we got there, it was so muddy from the recent thunderstorm, I really was not sure he was going to actually do the Muttin' Bustin'. They called for all the kids and their parents to come out to the arena and he was running! Then they brought out Rambo, the sheep! Holy Cow! When did sheep get so big! Oh, but the best was when they bowed their heads to pray. I thought, we are in trouble, they are praying for safety, this can't be good! Avery was first up to ride Rambo. Poor little thing fell in the mud, but she was so cute, she stood right up and waved to the crowd. Then it was Cowboy Holden's turn, the announcer asked, "Dad, do you want to run beside him or let him go?" Without a pause, Kevin says, "Let him go!" WHAT, ARE YOU CRAZY!!! The arena is full of mud and for those of you who know Holden, know that he HATES to get dirty. I know, a boy who hates to be dirty, really, but it is true. Rylan is a different matter, the messier he is, the more he likes it! But back to Holden, I was thinking if he falls in the mud he will flip his lid. Now, what was Kevin thinking!

Cowboy Holden mounted Rambo and off he went....

he held on the whole time and did not fall off at all! We were so proud!! And Holden was so proud too, I heard the story so many times last night, today, and I am sure for months to come! Maybe he is a cowboy after all.

After all the excitement of the Muttin' Bustin' it was time for some Bull Riding! Who knew there were so many bull riders in Ohio?!

What a fun night shared with friends. This is one for the memory books fore sure!

Cincinnati Fire Museum

Wednesday, I took the boys downtown to visit the Cincinnati Fire Museum. To our surprise, the place was empty. I think this is one of those museums that not alot of people know about, but need to! It was great, the boys were free and what is better than that? No really, this museum was filled with memorabilia dating back to the 1800's to the present Cincinnati fire stations. The boys were able to ring the fire bell, drive the fire truck, pump water, explore and even slide down the fire pole.

The morning was a little fireman's delight.