Seaworld

 Seaworld is so much cooler than when I was a little kid.

They still have all the cool shows and the animals are amazing, but now they have water slides and roller coasters and Sesame Street!!

I bravely took the kids to experience this amazing place by myself this week, and we had an awesome adventure.

We saw a walrus and seals, dolphins and whales.  We saw stingrays, turtles, and alligators. We also saw a show where they trained domestic animals like dogs, birds, rats, pigs and cats.... I have never seen a cat be so obedient!

And of course, there was Shamu.... and her baby....Shamu jr!!

There is something about that whale that just make you want to take 100 pictures!!

In between all the shows we hung out at Bay of Play. 

It has kid shows, splashpads, playgrounds and carnival like rides.

We went on all the rides and then we played in the splashpad.

Then we went on all the rides again, and again, and again!!

We went on a Monday and Tuesday, so there were no lines and plenty of seats at all the shows.

The next day we checked out Aquatica, the water park side of park.  I did not take in my camera, so you will just have to imagine the fun.  They have one ride that has a tube that goes through the stingray tank.  Malia and I could have ridden that one all day.  

We are going back in August to celebrate my birthday and introduce Ryan, who was out of town, to all the fun.

The kids and I are already planning out our schedule for next time.

4th of July

This fourth of July  was pretty special.  We had a BBQ with our neighbors and shot fire works in the street.  That doesn't sound too exciting, but we were with really good friends.  And since we are moving in three weeks, spending time with them made it a great evening.

These are Kai's best buds.  Jacob lives next door and Lukas lives around the corner.  He is going to miss these boys something crazy!!

This is our super awesome neighbor Amy (Jacob's mom) with her younger son Jared.  I have never had a neighbor like her.  We eat together at least once a week, we watch each other kids, we borrow each others things and we talk all the time.  

We started a tradition of the dessert plate.  We have a special plate that goes between each others house, but it must be returned with a special treat.  Even though the plate is hers, she told me I could keep it in the move and start the tradition with my new neighbor--- she is pretty amazing!!

I hope we are as blessed at our new home to find neighbors and friends like these.

Until then, we are going to continue to make memories.

Happy 4th of July!!

Catch up time!

 I was browsing through my blog and I realized that I never made a post on Andrew's first T-ball experience.  (once again, he has suffered from middle child syndrome)

So I thought I would play catch up on this and a few other things I have neglected to report on....

Andrew played t-ball through Spring Baptist Church.  He was a Ranger and he loved every minute of it once he realized he wanted to to play.    

At his first practice, he refused to participate.  He sat on the side line and made snide comments about the other kids claiming to be "faster than that kid", or that "he could throw farther that that kid.

  Before the next practice we bribed him with ice cream, and he found his love for the game.  He actually was pretty fast and could throw pretty well (for a four year old, that is)

Ryan was an assistant coach for the Rangers.  At this age, that pretty much meant he cheered them on as they ran around the bases, but I think he enjoyed it.

I love the picture above, because I like to pretend Andrew (number 1, of course) is talking strategy or sizing up the other players with team mate here... in reality, they were probably talking about bugs.

I think Andrew will continue to play ball.  He has the advantage of being a southpaw, and is a pretty competitive kid.  I am so glad the ice cream bribe worked!!

Beach trip number 1

 We took our first, of I am sure many, trips down to Jamaica Beach this past week.

My parents recently purchased a trailer on the beach, which allows you direct access to a private beach that is mostly desolate..... the above picture is our view on a Monday morning.

 The kids played in the sand, went out on boogie boards, and rolled around in the waves.

 While the parents sat back and took in the view of God's beautiful handiwork.

We got to check a few things off our 100 summer fun activities list, which felt productive....but that was about the only productive thing we did while we were down there.

I know Galveston is not the most exotic location, but you really can't beat it for a fun relaxing weekend getaway.

I can not wait to go back.

Bad Boyz

Kai played flag football this year.  Their team name was Bad Boyz, and they unfortunately lived up to the description.  They only won one game, and it happened to be the last game of the season. 

 I don't know about you, but I thought that if they only had a few more games they would have been the comeback team of the league.  They really had their stuff together this game.  

It has been a pleasure getting to know your boys this season.  Ryan loved assistant coaching, and Kai discovered  his love for the game. 

 Thanks Coach Ray

If you want some pictures, please email me the number, and I will send it to you.

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My summer plans

100 summer activites

Phineas and Ferb Marathon

Build the Roller Coaster

Build a volcano

go to the beach

go to Seaworld

go to Seaworld again

sleep outside

see the Alamo

Take picture with Sam Houston

go to Brazos Bend

Science Museum

Childrens Museum

Zoo

paint canvases

bury someone in the sand

ride the ferry

watch airplanes land

go fishing

Space Center

Kehma

build a fort

treasure hunt

bake cookies for neighbors

throw a block party

go to ten different parks

go hiking

go kayaking

build a dog house

go to the movies

go to the drive in

play disc golf

play putt-putt golf

have cousins spend the night

go on a picnic

play tennis

go on a bug hunt

arboretum

library

feed the ducks

shoot slingshots

go skating

Bluebell factory

Astros game

have the kids cook dinner

tell ghost stories by the fire

swim in 10 different pools

go to Lake Conroe

have a friend sleep over

do a 500+ piece puzzle

family board game night

have a just dance party

Miller Outdoor Theater

go out for ice cream

play on a slip and slide

have a real tea party

make homemade dog treat

take family pictures in Old Town Springs

teach Andrew to ride his bike

have a garage sale

go horseback riding

go on a date night/ spend the night with mimi and papaw

finish Harry Potter series

have a Harry Potter movie marathon

brew our own beer

home improvement day

feed the homeless

run a 5K

play hide and go seek

play glow sticks game in the dark

go on a roller coaster

invite someone new over for dinner

Splashtown

Go to Emma/Colemans

Go to Ella/Sarahs

Go see Granddaddy + nachos

have a craft day

go to a farmers market

Bouncing bears

Jumping Jaks

Safari Stop- Woodlands UMC Mon- Fri (12:00-8:00)

eat at shipleys for breakfast

take Theo to a dog park

play a neighborhood game of kickball at the park.

build a fort

build a sand castle

see fireworks

go on a walk with flash lights

make coke floats

go on an alphabet scavenger hunt

spend a day in bed reading

have a home spa day

see a comedian/ magic show

Discovery Green

make homemade pizzas

play with shaving cream

play catch with the kids

do 5 pinterest activities/ crafts/ meals

make silly home videos

have kids wash the car

go see live music