Wyoming Grandsons Days 7 & 8

17th - It has poured rain all night and is still at it.  I guess this will be an "at home" day.  Just for clarification --- the boys are choosing this.  They just want to hang out.  Each one finds something they are interested in and the morning passes without any real excitement at all.

By afternoon, cabin fever starts to set in and I am too tired to care.  The rain has stopped so Mister takes pity on me and takes the boys out for awhile to run off some energy.  He is such a good man.  They check out two separate playgrounds before it is time to go home.

When they return --- I am ready to play again and we set to work building on the gears.

We have looked at the forecast and OMG --- we will only be in the 70's for the next couple of days.  Awesome.  Unheard of for Texas in mid-July.  We'll take it though and make good use of it.  Time to plan another outdoor activity.

The day has finished and everyone is in bed.  Gotta love it when Caleb says, "Five minutes" in a sweet little negotiating voice.  If you agree, he goes along without argument when the time is up.  Perfect.  Raef is lovin' his extra half hour alone.  I'm glad --- although Ryan is none too pleased about it.  Ah well -- you win some, you lose some.  I can't have everyone happy with me at once -- learned that oh so many years ago.

18th - We have gorgeous weather and so are fulfilling our promise to return to the zoo for part II of our adventure.  Once again, we are the first people in and take a few minutes to play on the BIG letters.  Only after I take the pictures do I see the sign that says, "Do not climb on letters."  Ugh.

We are off to the Wilds of Africa today.  I am so hoping that everything is operating right and that the animals are enjoying the cool weather as well.  Let's go.  A quick stop at the penguins for a peek and we are savannah bound.  I LOVE this area of the zoo and hope the boys do as well.  It was not open the last time they visited and it is so special.  First stop --- the elephants for pictures of course.  What young person can resist these?

Gotta LOVE this one.

As we are walking towards the predator habitat, we can hear a lion chuffing ---- he keeps it up long enough for the boys to get there and watch.  What fun -- he lets a roar go when he finished.  How often does that happen?  Well I am here to tell you that it is the first time we have heard the chuffing at the Dallas Zoo.  A roar now and then is the best we have gotten and usually from the females.

Next up are our friends the giraffes.  Oh my --- I do adore these creatures.  Since we are the first ones here --- they are hungry.  Yay!  Each one gets to feed them some yummy lettuce and watch that wonderful black tongue snake its way to the treat.  Each picture deserves it's own place.  Enjoy.

As we walk over to another side of the giraffe enclosure, they follow along to say hi.  Another unusual experience.  They boys are so lucky today.  Let's hope it continues.  We stop off for a quick lesson on the different bones of the animals on the savannah.  Caleb discovers a lion that roars at him if he puts his hand in it's mouth.  Oh the giggles.  Soon he HAS to show me it.  Away we go.

As we leave the education center, it is time for the predator encounter and they are bringing out the cheetahs.  We grab a spot near the front and wait five minutes as the place fills in around us.  The boys are able to watch and learn all about how they teach the cheetahs movements that help the keepers do health checks on them.




The Gorilla trail is next on our agenda.  Last time we were so lucky with the gorillas that I wonder if we used it all up.  As I suspect, not a gorilla to be seen.  However, we are indeed treated to something very special today.  The luck does continue.  There is a baby chimpanzee that Mister and I have been trying oh so hard to see.  Today ---- Mama has him and his older brother right up by the windows showing him off.  Oh my ---- how cool is this?

Since the monorail was not running the last trip, we hop on for a quick tour of the part of our zoo that you cannot see any other way.  It's a great break and a chance for the older people to have a seat for a few minutes.  Whew.

I know I am thankful for it.

The boys have completed this side and make a request for a quick trip over to the Children's Zoo before we leave.  They have been so good that we agree instantly.  Off we go to the Underground for some exploring.

A quick stop with the goats for a pet or two and I am ready to head home.  However, the bird show is about to start.  Well, gotta see that of course.  What a great day.  We have been here for almost 5 hours and not a complaint in sight.

Although it is early afternoon, we make a decision to have a big lunch and then a sandwich or something for dinner.  The vote is for pizza -- lookout Tony's we are headed your way.

When we get home, Caleb brings me a box of Jello instant pudding and says, "This is chocolate and sweet and yummy" as he follows the statement with a slurp.  Once my laughter dies down, he and Grandpa set about making it and sing the Bob the Builder song as they do so.  Well --- at least a variation of it:  "Can we make it?  Yes we can." 

Naturally, the cook has to clean up after himself.

Once baths are finished, Caleb checks to see if his treat is ready.  Yep so he prepares a dish for everyone.  He is pretty pleased with himself on this one.

Another great day in the books.

Wyoming Grandsons Days 5 & 6

15th - We need some fresh fruit and veggies so the logical place to go is the Farmer's Market.

It is going to be another very warm day so it is an early rise and off we go.  The boys are instructed to each select one fruit and one vegetable to take home.  I have to laugh at Ryan as he keeps showing me fruits and asking, "Is this a vegetable?" Wishful thinking.

Caleb has a sore elbow and if he thinks about it -- he must hold it very carefully.  It's not bleeding, but he is very worried about it.  It's hard to touch much else though so perhaps this is good?

Add caption

With our totes full, we start out for the second spot on our agenda today.  We are off to the Dallas Museum of Art/Klyde Warren Park and the boys are so very confused that the museum does not have dinosaurs.  Mister keeps trying to explain that there are more than one type of museum, but well --- not much luck there.  We park in the garage and the battle is on for who gets to push the buttons on the elevator.  I have to keep track so that each person gets a turn on things and my poor brain has trouble with it.  Once we are on street level, the boys spot a giant mural that they want to check out.  Caleb wants to compare hand sizes.  I love it.

Across the street is Klyde Warren Park and today the imagination playground is set up.  In no time, the boys are busily building away.  I find a chair in the shade to relax and watch them work.  Their first order of business is to create a fort from as many pieces as they can get their hands on.  Meanwhile, little brother is busy building a track for the balls he has commandeered.

Lessons in sharing -- it is time to abandon their work so that others can have a turn.  (We have a LARGE portion of the pieces used.)  Across the lawn is the playground and once that is pointed out -- well the race is on.  Soon, there are little boys playing and climbing and spinning everywhere.  Just trying to snap pictures is a full time job as no one stays put long enough to even focus.

Amid complaints of starvation --- yep we STARVE our grandkids --- we decide to take a quick little snack break and find a table and chairs in the shade.  Just as we sit down and start snacking, a bubble machine nearby starts up.  It truly makes the time oh so fun.

We are amazed at the colors in the bubbles and watch with interest as the wind changes directions and send them directly at us.  Caleb tries and tries to catch one but each time they go POP.


It is time to go over to the museum as the temperature is climbing and we know it will be cool inside.  The boys make themselves at home and thoroughly enjoy the children's area.  Once I have Ryan and Caleb occupied, I whisk Raef away for some "older" kid fun.  He selects some of the materials to craft with and the creative juices start flowing.  What will he come up with?

I go back to check on Grandpa and the others and when Caleb is not looking, it is Ryan's turn to sneak away.  I am going to let the inner artist come out of him in a different manner -- sketching.  I leave him for a few minutes while I check on Raef.  (Perhaps we have a future artiste on our hands here.)

I grab Caleb and we head to the preschool area for a few minutes before we a joined by Raef.  He has created a squid and is pretty happy with it.  I love how a few odd materials can be turned into something fun.

Within no time, Raef has discovered things of interest in this area as well and his is soon creating with color.

Mister is with Ryan and they make a stop to try out some technology that is music based.

Shortly after that, they both find us and Ryan sets to work on a puzzle that I think is way too difficult to be in the preschool area.  Hmmm.

Okay --- this IS a museum of art so let's go see something.  We stop in at the light exhibit and the boys settle in to enjoy the numbers.  I gotta admit -- this is one cool creation.

The entire "show" last about 10-15 minutes and is comprised entirely of numbers that change size and brightness as they move across the walls in different shapes.  The boys love it and have absolutely no desire to leave.  They make themselves comfortable on the floor and just enjoy each moment.  So many oohs and aahs.  Even and few, "Look at that's."  So cool.

Upon leaving the light exhibit, Raef asks to see some of the art exhibits so we stop in a few and walk around.  Caleb is pretty much done for the day though so we are not able to do it justice.  I truly think Raef would love some time here just going through all the different exhibits.  Next time for sure.

Time to go.  We talk all the way home to keep Caleb awake.  Lunch and then naps/quiet time.  Whew.  Grandpa and the boys decide to play outside with the chalk and that turns into creating with a cardboard box which then morphs into making a video.  The rest of the afternoon, the house and yard are a movie set.

Their video turns out so cool and here is a LINK to it.  Please go check it out.  Our day is complete -- what a fun-filled adventure we are having.  Amanda is referring to is as a "camp."  I am simply making memories.

16th - I am loving our beautiful morning and want to take advantage of it.  Let's for for a walk to the coffee shop and see what we can have for breakfast.

Along the way Mister spots the breathing holes for ant lions and the search is on to see if they can find one.  It reminds me of searching for crabs on the beach.   Down at the coffee shop --- apple juice, muffins, and cinnamon rolls reign supreme.  The conversation is great and we plan out our day.  We are going to meet Grandma Hayter for lunch and then go swimming.  Yay!

As I am getting everything put together to go today, Caleb asks me to show him a new toy that he has found.  He then sits down near me and spends about half an hour working page after page.  I LOVE toys like this as they teach while kids play.  Wonderful.
We leave around 11 to go pick up Grandma and are off to the Chinese restaurant for lunch.  Oh yes, happy boys that they are getting sweet and sour chicken.  Grandpa discovers that you can stand on stools and watch what is going on in the kitchen.  Yep, only moments later he has accomplices.

After lunch, we go back to Grandma's for a swim.  Can you say excited?  They boys are truly pumped for this.  I have to agree as we don't have to worry about other kids or people.  They have the pool all to themselves and love every minute of it.  Check out Raef practicing freestyle strokes.

Grandpa spends time giving float lessons and everyone is all smiles.

Grandma watches from her vantage point while getting a little sun on her legs.

Total trust.  Caleb will try anything Grandpa asks.

The boys stay in the water for over an hour before we pull them out.  We go back up to Grandma's apartment to change and after visiting for awhile, start home.  I think we lose Caleb to sleep about 2 minutes into the drive.  I think we just plumb wore him out.

The rest of the afternoon is spent watching Back to the Future.  I love this movie and the boys had a blast as well.  We stop it every so often to explain the time changes, but other than that --- they don't wiggle the whole movie.  What a fun day.  We are taking it slow and quiet this evening.  I think that is deserved.