Wyoming Grandsons - Days 3 & 4

13th -  It is zoo day and since we are supposed to hit around 100 degrees today, we are off early and hope to be there when the gates open.  As it turns out, we are the first people into the zoo.  Yep - let's go.

Our first stop is the lemurs and they have just released them into the habitat.  One of them is either not wanting to be outside or really wants to know what is going on inside as he hangs from the window watching inside.

At some point while we are watching, Caleb walks over with a Gatorade.  As he asks me to open it, I ask him where he got it and he points at some people behind us.  I ask if he took it and he assures me that it was given to him.  I look over and it is confirmed by the family behind me.  After thanking them, we continue on our way.  Apparently I need to watch this little one even closer than I thought.

Grandpa wants to see the koalas so we head that direction and make a stop at the primates to watch the antics.

After the koalas, the boys and I head for Lorikeet Landing so that they can have some up close time with the birds.  I love this place and we are usually blessed with some really fun pictures here.  Mister does not disappoint this time either.  Enjoy.

Yep, birds everywhere.  That is Raef in the background with his companion too.

Our next stop is the reptile house and as we are exiting from it, we hear the Cheetah Encounter starting up --- let's go.  How close to a cheetah can we get?

I am loving my time with the tortoises but the boys have spotted something they think is a bit faster and more fun.  Perhaps they are right.  All it does is make them hotter and sweatier though so let's find a way to cool off a bit.  I love that Caleb is cooling his belly.

We decide to try and ride the monorail so it's off to the other side of the zoo.  When we arrive, we discover that it is closed for the day due to heat.  Yep, it is getting quite warm out and is only around 11:30.  Nearby is an encounter with flamingoes and the boys stop to watch.  One of the birds is just hysterical as a worker walks by that apparently he loves.  He literally throws a temper tantrum until she comes into the area and then won't leave her for anything.  Way too funny.

I am officially hot so it is time to go.  I check the temp and it is 98 degrees at noon.  We tell the boys that we will come back another morning and do the other half of the zoo as we are all melting.  I don't have too many arguments about it.  A quick stop at the carousel can't be missed though and all three are quick to pick out their favorite endangered animal to ride.

Time to go.  I love the zoo but dang it is hot today.  Let's go home for some lunch and see what else we can find to do.

Once we have lunch, it is time for naps and quiet time.  When Caleb wakes, he comes and finds me in the studio and we sit down in the yard with some chalk to play.  In not time we have drawings all over the driveway.

It doesn't take long before Ryan comes to join us and work on a 3d drawing.  It turns out pretty good and once  you put the glasses on, it does indeed take on a 3d look.  All the spheres are floating, one above the other.  Pretty cool.  Yep, we are doing this while it is over 100 out.  Nuts, I know.  We do an early dinner and then I decide that it is time to let the boys cool off.  Let's get wet.  We are off to a splash park for awhile and in mere minutes, the boys are gone and Mister is trying to get a few pictures and stay dry at the same time.  Not easy to do.

Waiting for the bucket to empty on him with brother shooting him from the other side.

And now --- some fun shots:

Back home, it is tub time and off to bed.  This has been a very busy, fun day.  See ya tomorrow as I am going to bed early too.  I am beat.

Oh --- three boys in the tub is not the best plan.  Way too many fights and my bathroom was underwater by the time it was over.  Goodness gracious.

14th - Where shall we go today?  How about a DART trip?  The boys are thrilled when we mention the train so off we go.  We have made a decision to surprise them about where we are going.  Yay -- makes it a little more fun.  We are out the door and off to the White Rock Station early -- yep -- it will be another hot day today.

Here comes the train.  Let's go.

1st train

2nd train

I'm not sure which one is the little boy --- both are having too much fun watching the driver.

We leave the train at the Fair Park station and start walking.  The older boys spot a water fountain and are gone within seconds.  Once we round them up again, we find a minute for a picture.  All we are hearing is "where are we going?"  Surprise - you will see soon.

A little further down and we are at the Aquarium.  Oh goodness, now they are excited.  I love this place as well so I guess I'm pretty stoked too.  First stop is the touch tank for lessons and fun.  Ryan is lucky to hold a hermit crab for quite awhile as he pokes his head in and out of the shell.

Our next stop is the shark/turtle tank.  Will I get to see my baby?  Yep.

Now for the fun --- Stingrays!  Let's play.

Well I guess we should check out the rest of the aquarium before we go.

It is a long walk back to the train and the boys are dreading it already.  I think I have an idea.  I tell them that they can just run in the fountain in their clothes and then walk back in the wet clothes to stay cool.  Needless to say --- everyone is on board with my plan.

Caleb is the only one that is not too sure about getting soaked.

Now that everyone is cooled off --- let's head back but we will have some fun at the lagoon along the way.  Teaching moments are always around and today is no exception.  The boys are learning about "cypress knees".

Turtles are everywhere and these three are really wishing one would just hold still for a couple of moments.

I love taking a few moments here and there to enjoy our surroundings.  This walk back is typical of what Mister and I enjoy.  Look at these gorgeous lotus flowers.  Oh my.  Oh and don't miss the Texas Star in the background.  So fun.

Time for a group shot

We are back at the DART station.  I find a nice shady place with a breeze to settle in but Mister would like these boys to continue drying so he keeps them moving out in the warm air.  He is worried they will be cold on the train.  It's almost 100 degrees again.  I think they will be fine.

Once on the train ---- everyone needs to watch the driver this time.  Boys will be boys.

After lunch and naps/quiet time, it is time for some fun in the kitchen.  Gotta have cookies while at Gammy's so let's get busy.  The best part is that I have enough handprint aprons for everyone.  Yes!

Now --- I want you to know that this takes skill on my part.  To keep all three interested and feeling as though they are not missing out on anything is not an easy task.  We are making chocolate chip cookies that are oh so loaded with chips.  Oh my.  Each person does 4 cookies per sheet with the scoop.

Yep -- even Caleb waited patiently for his turn.

Ah yes, the fruits of their labors.  Isn't this the best part of baking?

Now, what shall we do while waiting for the cookies to bake.  I set them to sorting the fruit/vegie magnets.  It worked and soon they have learned a few things along the way as well.

The oven dings and their cookies are finished.  Taking turns, we get them off the pan and onto the racks to cool.  Then, load up the pans again with more scoops.

The rules of the house still stand and soon Grandpa has his cookies and milk delivered to him along with smiles.  Yum.  Now it is their turn to sample their work.

While I try and clean up the kitchen, Grandpa gets a game of fish going.  I think this is my favorite game of all these days.  Love, love, love it.

As the evening quiets down, I catch a moment with Grandpa and Ryan --- on the mini of course.  Good times.

Wyoming Grandsons Day 1 & 2

11th -- I am off to the airport for a quick flight to Denver and hopefully a quick turnaround with my 3 grandsons in tow.  I arrive just before Amanda and Trent and am able to watch for them to get off the train and ride up to where I am.  We all head for the gate only to discover that the weather has completely changed and within moments the airport is shut down.  Wonderful.  We are flying Southwest and have to connect in Tulsa and our layover time is less than an hour.  After a few stressful moments, I send Amanda and Trent on their way to Telluride for a meeting they must be at.  We will work it out.

It takes over an hour but our plane finally arrives.  I am still very worried about the connection, but have been assured that I am not the only one.  There are about 30 people on this flight that are also headed to Dallas tonight and they "think" that the plane will be held.  Fingers are crossed.  Off we go to Tulsa.

Caleb is way excited and is so fun to sit with.  He gets a "soda" and is in heaven.  Whenever his ears plug, he says loudly, "I can't hear you.  My ears aren't working."  Then he lets me know when they are working again.  He also loves watching the flaps on the wings and tells me when we are off the ground and when we are back down again.  The older boys are deep into Minecraft.

As we land in Tulsa, they inform us that the plane is indeed being held at the very next gate.  We have been instructed to hurry so we literally walk off one plane and onto another.  Somehow we get seats together --- goodness.  By the time we arrive in Dallas, it is 10:00 at night and we are all exhausted.  Grandpa makes us all a snack and we are off to bed.

12th - I have absolutely no early risers, but Raef certainly wins for sleeping in.  He comes out at around 10:30 a.m.  We have chosen to have a day at home and just relax and play.  The house is rapidly a toy zone and happy children are everywhere.

After lunch we ask if the boys would like to go skating and receive and loud "yes."  Awesome, let's go.  Oh my goodness -- what is up with my hair?  Ugh.  Caleb would really rather be out on the wood floor but this is a better place to learn.  Raef and Ryan are soon out on the floor and doing their best to improve.

In no time, Caleb wants to try it on his own and does quite well.

Then he thinks he is ready for the wood.  I am laughing so hard at this point.

He gives up again and Raef helps out by holding his hand and going back and forth with him while Ryan recovers from a pretty hard fall.

I take Caleb home after a couple of hours so that he can have a nap.  Another hour or so later, the older two are ready to go as well.  Fortunate since the rink is closing.

Once dinner is over --- a pirate movie is requested and the three of them snuggle in on the futon in the office.  Too cute.  It's been a fun day.

Lonestar Park

We are off to Lonestar Park today for some horse racing!  So fun.  We have no intention of betting on anything, but want to watch and enjoy.  After finding a spot along the winner's circle, a bugler announces that the horses are on their way out.  How fun.

And here come the horses.  It is fun to look at the sheet and see if we can pick the winner without having the pressure of losing money.

I like this one!

Darkness falls as we watch the races and we move around to the introduction circle to watch things from there for awhile.  It is a chance to sit down as I find a couple of chairs and move them up to the fence.  Yes!

I am a happy camper as I sit and watch.  Mister thinks he needs to take a picture of me and since I am hot and look oh so wonderful, I agree to my foot.  Don't I look amazing?

For the last race, we go back out to the track and watch as they run on the turf.  I can't decide if it is more fun to watch the horses or the staff try and get the post out of the way before the race gets back around to them.  They make, but just barely.


Our night ends with a concert by Justin Moore.  Wow --- all of this for my measly $5.00 each.  What a fun day.

Happy Independence Day!

I love this  holiday.  I plan to enjoy the day by doing some quilting, grilling dinner, and hopefully capping off the night with the fireworks display at Fair Park.  Be safe all and remember the reason we are celebrating.

We are off to Fair Park via the DART for some firework fun.  Come join us!

Don't the fairgrounds look wonderful!  Ah, love this place.

My Reward for Packing up Calais

I spent the morning helping Benjamin pack up Calais and while it is sad to see it move to the Hill Country, I am also excited for him.  My take from the morning --- well, the opened bottles from last night, lol.

Jimmy's Wine Tasting

Yay!  Wine tastings at Jimmy's are always one of my favorite things to do.  Tonight we are being treated to some wonder Rose's as well as a delicious antipasti buffet.

I will never forget the first time I came into this "back room" -- oh how shocked I was.  Now, it just makes me smile each time.

Lunch With Bob - Mister's Nephew

Mister's nephew, Bob, is meeting us for lunch today and to check out the shops in the area.  We don't spend near enough time with him and are loving this opportunity.  After lunch, an art gallery fits the bill.