Jen's in Town Overnight

My daughter has a chance to come and stay for the night and I am super stoked.  It's not often that she can just come and visit and I want to take complete advantage of it.  Chatting, napping, chatting, sewing . . . all will take place.

A Little Yard Happiness

My blackberry bushes are loaded and I am absolutely adoring the glory of it.

Session 7 - Colorado Boys - Days 5 & 6 and Travel

We have tackled most of the places these three wanted to visit while here but haven't done the things here at the house that they want yet.  Today we are staying in and doing just that.  I have bird houses to build but the only one who wants to is Caleb.  The other two want to chill and watcha a movie.  No worries.  Come on Caleb, let's make a birdhouse.  With glue guns at the ready, we soon have this little cutie ready to hang.  Grandpa can help Caleb with that when it's all dry and ready.  Good job, little man.

Session 7 - Colorado Boys - Travel and Days 3 & 4

August in Dallas --- always toasty.  Period.  However, that does not stop these guys from wanting to go and play.  Today's request is the trampoline center and I'm happy to oblige.  We have played in the house all morning, been picked up by the bus, and are now at the train station.  We have two trains to take and then a bus to get us kind of close to the center.  Yep, it's a challenge but these guys are always happy to try anything.  Well, most of them anyway.  Caleb just may be in a mood today.


Things improve when we get to Jumpstreet and he joins right in with the "guys."

It's a regular jump fest for quite awhile and then he gets hurt.  Dang it.  The two older boys head for dodgeball and I take Caleb down to the area for smaller kids.  That seems to bring smiles and he is happier now.  I know it doesn't really look like it, but I promise.  This is happy.  I try like crazy to get a picture of Raef but none turn out.  Ryan, however, I do manage to catch in the act.

That's it for our time here.  Two hours just zoom on by.  We are now waiting for our bus back home.  Tired and hot little boys.

Once home, it is time to get dinner ready as Grandpa will be home soon.  I get some help with the corn from Caleb while the boys play a game together.  It's been a fun day but I'm just as beat as they are.  The heat really takes it out of ya.  Tomorrow is another day.

Good morning!  Yes, it's a good one.  Not too hot out and we are up and moving.  Today's request is for the zoo.  We have been picked up at the house by the bus and are now waiting for the train again.  Yep, this is life in the city without a car.

Waiting, waiting, waiting . . .

"I see it!"

A short time later, we have arrived at the zoo.  Now, while we were waiting for the second train, we met up with some missionaries on their "P" day and they are going to the zoo as well.  As we arrive at the gate, I call them over to have them receive a discount through me.  Yep, good deed for the day.  Now -- FIRST things FIRST -- we must play on the dinosaur exhibit.  Yikes, careful Caleb.  These guys are already thinking of a new video to make next year and want me to use these pictures for it.  Dang, that's a long ways away and I'm pretty sure I'll forget by then.

We make our way to the Children's Zoo and the Underzone.  These guys really like this area and I think it's pretty cool too.  Today they are very lucky as the mongoose are very active right now and they get an upclose view of them.  How fun is that?  I have actually crawled through that thing a time or two myself.  It gets harder the older I get, but I can still do it.  Do I want to?  Sometimes.

There are also Naked Mole Rats in here.  Yuck, but fascinating all at the same time.

Right next to the Underzone is the Bird's Landing where you can feed and likely hold many types of birds.  They fly right to the food and hang out.  The boys want to feed them so in we go.

I love that they are not afraid to try new things.  For some people, birds can be quite scary and I'm happy it's not for them.

After the Children's area, we go to the Koala Walkabout and stop in at Lorikeet Landing where we are once again able to feed the birds.  This time with a nectar instead of a stick and these lorikeets are a little more persnickety.  Some days they will land on you, others - not so much.

Today is one of the not so much days.  The one who ALWAYS gets them to land on him is Jared.  How? I'll never know.

Caleb is very serious about this task and is being super careful.

A stop at the dinosaurs is required and fun is to be had by all.  Some spit randomly, some you can shoot at others all on your own.

Look out!

Again, they are hoping for me to make another video so they are acting as though the dinosaurs cannot see them.  I'm supposed to make a video from still shots?  I'm sure it can be done, but not by me.

One of the activities going on is the collection of dinosaur cards.  They have been picking them up around the zoo today and want to stop and see just what they are missing.  Oh, and the older two are doing their best to rob Caleb of his good ones.  Good thing Gammy is around to put a halt to that.

Whose hungry?  Apparently all of us.  We make a stop for food on the Savanna and, of course, pizza wins out again.  These guys would live on pizza if they could.

Now, I wonder if we can find some animals that are hungry too.  Let's give it a try.  Where are those giraffes?  Ah, there they are and yep, they're hungry too.

Oops, can't miss the obligatory elephant shots --- apparently Raef and Ryan are opting for something a little different this time around.

Over at the Wild Encounters Stage, there is a flamingo talk going and we stop for a listen.  One of the flamingos is quite funny as she is in love with her keeper and rarely moves very far away.  Super cute.  Well that's about it for today.  It's afternoon and getting HOT.  It's time to go home and have some quiet time.  Perhaps a movie and some popcorn.  We'll see.

After Grandpa gets home from work, we decide to run up to the splashpad for a real cooling off.  The temps have climbed and it feels super good to just play in the water for awhile.

The parks department sponsors these and they are wonderful.  For some reason, it's not packed at all this evening and we are in shock.  Take advantage boys as it may not last long.

Well, that's it.  Another day is a wrap.  Keeping up with these three definitely takes a bit of energy and I need to replenish.

Grandpa handles the nightly baths and soon the house is quiet again.  The sad part?  I can't stay awake to enjoy it.  Night all.

Session 7 - Colorado Boys - Travel and Days 1 & 2

It's another manic Friday.  I know that's not the way the song goes, but it's my day.  With a flight to Denver to meet up with grands and then return, what else could it be?  Upon my arrival, I am given three boys who are hungry and parents who need to depart RIGHT AWAY.  Okay.  Let's go get some lunch before going to the gate.  Our flight is delayed anyway, so we have time to kill.

After filling tummies, we go to the gate only to discover that we are delayed again.  Well dang.  It's going to mean that we get into Dallas rather late today but at least we are going.  Finally - we board.

Session 6 - Camp Josh - Days 5 & 6

It's Day 5 and for some crazy reason this kid wants to walk down to the dollar store and go shopping.  Well heck, it's a cheap activity so why not?

After he finds what he wants (and this is no small feat -- it takes FOREVER), we make a quick pit stop at Gecko to say hi to George.

He is just the coolest chicken around and will talk to you if you cluck at him.

Session 6 - Camp Josh - Days 3 & 4

We have another day with Grandpa and he wants to go down to the aquarium with us this time.  It seems as though he misses the trips quite often and loves it there as much as the rest of us.  Let's get up and going.

Josh is chomping at the bit to see the stingrays and a preschool class has just arrived so we make a beeline out there hoping to beat the rush.