Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Precious Moment
Every once in a blue moon you walk around a corner or peek in to the bedroom to find your children doing something truly precious. Every once in a while you catch them doing something you only see in Hallmark commercials and joke about with that attitude of, "yeah, like THAT ever REALLY happens." But, sometimes... just for a moment... it does. Even rarer than this, you manage to have your camera in your hand or near by and use your ninja like skills of camouflage and stealth as to not alert the natives that you are capturing this moment.
Spring Break in Teee-haus!
The year is flying by, and spring is (supposedly) on its way. Which means a break from school, and a visit to GeeGee and Grandpa's house! I have been visiting my parents nearly every spring break since they moved to Texas. First, just me on my college spring break. Then came Larger Child. Now, Smaller Child too gets to spend the week with them enjoying the company, getting spoiled, and seeing the sights. It has become one of our most favorite times of the year!
We left early Monday afternoon, and only had to make one stop. About half way, in Ardmore, we got out to stretch our legs, hit the restrooms, and get coffee and cake pops. You know, the essentials!
We made it to GeeGee's by four. Spent the evening with hugs and kisses, catching up, and getting settled in. (And eating a delicious roast Mom cooked.)
The next day we planned on heading out for lunch, and visiting Ikea. I needed to get some good ideas for how to furnish my new "Studio," and I knew that Ikea would be just the place for good ideas. I used Larger Child as my tape measurer. That way, when I got home and looked at the pictures I could remember that, "Yeah, that shelf was two LCs tall, and half a LC wide." I highly recommend this measuring technique. Not only is it effective, it is a lot easier than math.
After we got back, the boys were still full of energy. So, I offered to walk them down to the neighborhood park while Mom started supper and did some housework. We burned off some energy, got some sun, and made it back in time to greet Grandpa as he came in the door.
On our walk back, LC took advantage of the field of dandelions to make some wishes... he wouldn't tell me what he wished for, but I can tell it was something good!
That night it was Grandpa's turn for bottles.
Wednesday, Mom and I decided to brave a drive to Grapevine Mills to take the boys to LEGOLAND. We learned how lego bricks are made, and even got to help Professor Brick-a-Brack make some.
.jpg)
About five minutes through the door, LC ran in to a friend from school, and pretty much disappeared for the majority of the afternoon. I was happy he found a playmate, and I got to spend some one on one time with SC with the blocks.
Once we all hooked up again, we explored the miniature of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex (made out of legos), watched a Lego 4D movie (which was FANTASTIC!), LC and I rode Merlin's Apprentice, and we cheered LC on as he raced the track in his Lego Police car.
After LEGOLAND, we went to the SeaLife Aquarium across the mall. It was not really our intention to do both that day, but LC insisted... he wanted to see the fishes. (I wanted to see the fishes.) So, we convinced GeeGee and off we went.
The Aquarium is deceivingly small. But, they pack a LOT in to a little space. We got up close and personal with sharks, moray eels, puffer fish, and countless other creatures of the sea. The tanks are set up to where you feel such a personal experience with the fish. Some even allowing you to go inside, or be completely surrounded by marine life.
Thursday, Dad decided to take off work. We had planned on taking the boys to an amusement park that day, but found out that morning it was only open on weekends... so we quickly had to come up with a plan b. The boys had not slept well that night, and with the change of plans equaling disappointment, I was fearful of what the day might have in store. We stared the day going out for breakfast. Smaller Child was in rare form, throwing keys, yelling, smacking the table etc. I handed him a creamer to keep him busy. He promptly bit it as hard as he could, making the creamer pop, and explode all over the jackets of the table of elder veterans behind us. I felt so bad! I tried my best to dab off the milk before they could notice. I think I did a pretty good job. But again, I began to question how the rest of the day would be after that display.
However, once the kids got some food in them, we went home, and let SC take a nap. (He did, thank GOD!) and woke up in a much better mood. So,we decided to go to the Dallas Arboretum that afternoon. It was the beginning of Spring in Dallas, although the temps that day may have argued against that. But, the bulb plants at the arboretum were in bloom. And let me tell you, that place... it is incredible. If you ever want to witness how amazing this planet can be, visit there. It is like God spilled his paint set right in the center of Dallas. Words cannot do it justice, my photos will only give you a hint of the magnitude of beauty this place has.
It is one of those places that the longer you are there, the more you see... the more peaceful you become, and the more in awe you are. It is also one of those places that makes you want to take pictures... lots and lots of pictures.
Larger Child had fun with the coy ponds. He would feed them a bit, then try and pet them. He spent a lot of time there, watching them swim around.
And he conducted an orchestra of water. LOVE it.
On Friday, we made the trip downtown again to see the new Perot Museum of Science and Natural History. The building itself is worth the drive and cost of admission. It is quite the work of art. From the open glass elevators, to the staircases that play music with each step, to the five floor glass encased escalator giving you an incredible view of downtown, it seems like every nook and cranny of this place is something to behold.
The museum is mostly hands on learning for kids. With everything from a small children's play area with a miniaturized skyline of Dallas to climb and play on, flower shop, play campground, and water table, an area exploring the science of sports, cells, solar system, rocks, animals, energy, and prehistoric dinosaurs, this museum has it all. It's extensive five floors of hands on learning were enough to overwhelm even the best of us, not to mention it is still so new that it was CROWDED and difficult to really get to some of the exhibits... but despite all that, we managed to see and enjoy most of it, though I would like to make a return visit soon after the "new" has worn off for the locals.
At the end of day 5 the kids were wooped. I was too. We had done a LOT. More fun than the body can handle, and it showed on the way home from the museum...
Saturday morning, my brother stopped by with his kids to say hi. It was nice to catch him before we left and to see my niece and nephews. He even managed to teach SC how to make some pretty great faces in the small time we spent together. (A perfect thing to learn from your uncle if I do say so.)
It was another GREAT week in Texas. It seems like every time I leave, I feel a real sense of gratitude for my life and for my family. I have two of the best parents on the planet. They ADORE my children, and do every thing in their power to show it to them. I think the only thing better than having them as my mom and dad is to have them be the grandparents to my kids. We are one lucky bunch.
Blessed life.
We left early Monday afternoon, and only had to make one stop. About half way, in Ardmore, we got out to stretch our legs, hit the restrooms, and get coffee and cake pops. You know, the essentials!
We made it to GeeGee's by four. Spent the evening with hugs and kisses, catching up, and getting settled in. (And eating a delicious roast Mom cooked.)
 |
| Grandpa lovins are pretty great too! |
 |
| Gee Gee Lovins are the best lovins |
 |
| SC was not so impressed with Ikea... |
 |
| LC was a different story |
On our walk back, LC took advantage of the field of dandelions to make some wishes... he wouldn't tell me what he wished for, but I can tell it was something good!
That night it was Grandpa's turn for bottles.
.jpg)
About five minutes through the door, LC ran in to a friend from school, and pretty much disappeared for the majority of the afternoon. I was happy he found a playmate, and I got to spend some one on one time with SC with the blocks.
Once we all hooked up again, we explored the miniature of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex (made out of legos), watched a Lego 4D movie (which was FANTASTIC!), LC and I rode Merlin's Apprentice, and we cheered LC on as he raced the track in his Lego Police car.
The Aquarium is deceivingly small. But, they pack a LOT in to a little space. We got up close and personal with sharks, moray eels, puffer fish, and countless other creatures of the sea. The tanks are set up to where you feel such a personal experience with the fish. Some even allowing you to go inside, or be completely surrounded by marine life.
Thursday, Dad decided to take off work. We had planned on taking the boys to an amusement park that day, but found out that morning it was only open on weekends... so we quickly had to come up with a plan b. The boys had not slept well that night, and with the change of plans equaling disappointment, I was fearful of what the day might have in store. We stared the day going out for breakfast. Smaller Child was in rare form, throwing keys, yelling, smacking the table etc. I handed him a creamer to keep him busy. He promptly bit it as hard as he could, making the creamer pop, and explode all over the jackets of the table of elder veterans behind us. I felt so bad! I tried my best to dab off the milk before they could notice. I think I did a pretty good job. But again, I began to question how the rest of the day would be after that display.
However, once the kids got some food in them, we went home, and let SC take a nap. (He did, thank GOD!) and woke up in a much better mood. So,we decided to go to the Dallas Arboretum that afternoon. It was the beginning of Spring in Dallas, although the temps that day may have argued against that. But, the bulb plants at the arboretum were in bloom. And let me tell you, that place... it is incredible. If you ever want to witness how amazing this planet can be, visit there. It is like God spilled his paint set right in the center of Dallas. Words cannot do it justice, my photos will only give you a hint of the magnitude of beauty this place has.
It is one of those places that the longer you are there, the more you see... the more peaceful you become, and the more in awe you are. It is also one of those places that makes you want to take pictures... lots and lots of pictures.
 |
| SC wanted to touch all the flowers. He was surprisingly gentle with them, so I let him. |
 |
| Goooood GRIEF he's handsome! |
 |
| And he's gorgeous too! |
 |
| Apparently, I am suspicious of the poppy. |
 |
| I love this man... a LOT. |
 |
| And this woman, well... she's just spectacular! |
Larger Child had fun with the coy ponds. He would feed them a bit, then try and pet them. He spent a lot of time there, watching them swim around.
And he conducted an orchestra of water. LOVE it.
On Friday, we made the trip downtown again to see the new Perot Museum of Science and Natural History. The building itself is worth the drive and cost of admission. It is quite the work of art. From the open glass elevators, to the staircases that play music with each step, to the five floor glass encased escalator giving you an incredible view of downtown, it seems like every nook and cranny of this place is something to behold.
At the end of day 5 the kids were wooped. I was too. We had done a LOT. More fun than the body can handle, and it showed on the way home from the museum...
Saturday morning, my brother stopped by with his kids to say hi. It was nice to catch him before we left and to see my niece and nephews. He even managed to teach SC how to make some pretty great faces in the small time we spent together. (A perfect thing to learn from your uncle if I do say so.)
It was another GREAT week in Texas. It seems like every time I leave, I feel a real sense of gratitude for my life and for my family. I have two of the best parents on the planet. They ADORE my children, and do every thing in their power to show it to them. I think the only thing better than having them as my mom and dad is to have them be the grandparents to my kids. We are one lucky bunch.
Blessed life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)