Super Fun Saturday

Saturday was set to be a record breaking day of heat for August 31, so we did our outdoor activities in the morning before it got too hot.  We went to the Fairview Farmers Market and loved looking at all of the goodies.  The boys made their selections from the fruit/veggie stand after lots of consideration . . . Linc picked corn on the cob, Beau picked blueberries, and Mommy picked peaches.  Lincoln has never had corn on the cob but assured me it would be really fun to eat.  I love corn on the cob and never get to eat it, so I was happy with his choice.  Beau's choice of blueberries was a little confusing because one of the only foods that Beau doesn't like is blueberries (the only other food he doesn't like is meatloaf).  I was thinking maybe he was turning the corner on the super fruit and ready to snack on some blueberries!  We also sampled some cookies from a nice lady/vendor and purchased the sample that Lincoln liked the best - lemon blueberry shortbread cookies!  Weird, right?  No one liked the iced cookies!  After all that shopping we stopped at the baseball field at Bowie to practice.  Linc spent a few minutes warming the bench then got ready to play!

Daddy bought him a real bat after T-Ball practice, and he's adjusting to the weight of it.  After a few swings and hands turned the wrong way, we figured out that Linc was standing on the wrong side of the tee.  He did get off a good hit before we moved him to the other side!  Beau loved running the bases and swinging the bat too!  

We got pretty hot and sweaty at our little practice, so we got cooled off and cleaned up for lunch.  Everyone wanted to play games after lunch, and we started with Candyland.  Lincoln loves Candyland and plays it with his school friends sometimes.  Beau is new to the game and doesn't have all the patience necessary to play a real board game yet.  He tried his best and enjoyed it!   

One round of Candyland was good enough for Beau, and he went to find a game he could play on his own.  Linc and I played Candyland two more times then played Chutes and Ladders.  So excited about game time! 

Beau's solitaire game of choice was the Goodnight Moon game.  He matches the cards with the pictures on the game board, and he loves it.  Goodnight Moon is one of his favorites books, and he knows every word by heart.  So glad he can play on his own a bit!

After a rest, we headed out for a few errands like picking up a dress at the alterations place, shopping for a few groceries, and grabbing a pound of smoked turkey from Spring Creek BBQ for dinner!  The boys couldn't wait for me to cook the ears of corn to add to our smoked turkey dinner.  I'll just say that the excitement was way higher at the idea of the corn on the cob than the actual eating of the corn on the cob.  They just weren't comfortable biting into it hard enough to get any corn kernels in their mouths.  I tried to demonstrate with my ear of corn . . . I hope we'll try this one again soon! 

While we were eating dinner, a surprise appeared on the front porch!  The boys were so excited to see that Nana and Pops had left them a movie and snack basket . . . Movie Night!  We never saw Despicable Me (released in 2010), but they like the iPhone game that came out when Despicable Me 2 came out this summer.  They have been asking to watch the movie, so it was the perfect gift! 

Sleeping bags and couch pillows were requested, and the boys enjoyed their popcorn and M&Ms while they watched the movie.  Linc didn't really like it at first because he thought there were too many bad guys.  I took a little time to lay with them and explain the characters to make them less scary, and luckily it lightened up significantly at the end.  He was dancing with them as the movie closed!   

Super fun Saturday!  We really had a great time today just doing low-key family stuff.  This Labor Day weekend has been full of fun so far, and we still have two days left!  Church and a visit from Minnie and Bubbles on Sunday means more fun!

Friday Morning at the Dallas Arborteum

We haven't been to the Dallas Arboretum in a while (maybe because it's been so hot!), but we thought it would be fun to go in the morning before it got too hot.  The boys were already excited about the water feature at the entrance!  It's the little things, I guess!  Admission was only $1 each for the month of August (I guess they are willing to slash their prices in when it's crazy hot around here), so it was a cheap adventure!  Let the fun begin . . .

We went to the old timey Texas section first, and the log cabins were fun to explore.  I tried to explain that this one room hut with a chair, wooden bed and fireplace/kitchen area was someone's home once, and Lincoln told me there was no way someone lived in there.  Mommy might have screamed extremely (and embarrassingly) loudly about a bug, and we went to check out the next thing!  Apparently living in a teepee was way too crazy of a concept for these two because they couldn't even comprehend that someone would live in a tent!  They thought it was cool though!

We climbed in the covered wagon and talked about how this was one family's car that horses pulled to carry them around.  Again, two little brains were blown!!   

Back to the real world and there are fountains and pools to check out!  Beau was not interested in posing, as he was trying to follow the splashing water.  Linc gamely gave me a cheese! 

We had a long talk in the car about staying with Mommy and holding hands and minding, and I'm so proud that they were on their best behavior.  They mostly held onto my hands, but they ran ahead of me together and I love that they got to explore the small flower garden together.  Sweet brothers!! 

Forced pose with forced cheeses! 

We took a water/potty break and then headed to the Alice In Wonderland exhibit.  They thought the rabbit and mushrooms were so cool.   

There were several flower houses to visit, but Lincoln was a little disappointed by them.  Apparently I oversold the flower houses. He told me that they were mostly leaves and plants and not enough flowers . . . picky, much?!?! 

They did love the Mad Hatter Tea Party in one of the flower houses, and they laughed that a rabbit had on a hat that big!   

Beau seemed especially like a big boy today.  He was so good as we walked over the entire grounds, and he found so many things to talk about . . . birds, squirrels, flower colors, acorns to kick (that was his favorite!).  Love my sweet Beau! 

One of my favorite places at the Arboretum is the walkway with the tree canopy.  They had fun running down the sidewalk hand in hand.  Melt my heart! 

Lincoln was our guide for the day, and he loved to check his map and tell us where to go next.  Occasionally we wandered down a path that he deemed was on the map but secret to other visitors.  He was so proud when he actually (accidentally) led us where we wanted to go! 

Beau spotted a little yellow butterfly dancing above the flowers that lined the walkway, and he was determined to catch it.  Poor little guy chased that butterfly forever!  Each time he would get close, he would turn and snap his hands and just miss the innocent butterfly.   

We finished off our morning at the Arboretum with a picnic in the shade.  The boys told me they wanted a lunchable of turkey, cheese, pretzels and apple slices, so that's what I packed in the cooler.  We got settled in the shade and I fixed their plates, then Beau decided that my turkey sandwich looked yummy and stole it from me!!!   Still, I loved my lunch dates!

It was a warm morning, but we got cooled down as we ate lunch.  I so loved to spend this special time with them.  We didn't hurry, we walked at their pace, and we looked at whatever they wanted to look at . . . that is a lesson in patience for a Mom used to being in on-the-go mode!  Their pace is way more fun!  I told them on the way home that I was so proud that they behaved like such big boys at the Arboretum, and Linc responded that they are definitely big boys and they are the best!  I agree!!! 

Lincoln's First T-Ball Practice!

This baseball loving family has a player ready to hit the field!  Lincoln is signed up to play SVAA T-Ball this fall, and he's so excited!  We have watched so many little teams play at our neighborhood park, and Lincoln has been waiting for the day that he is old enough to participate.  We got our list of uniform requirements and have been shopping to gather the appropriate items.  We were having a problem finding navy uniform socks in his size, and Lincoln told Kevin in Academy one evening, "Just tell Mom to look online and order them."  The lady and her daughter standing next to them busted out laughing that Lincoln suggested that!  And look online and order them I did indeed . . . they'll be here next week.  Wednesday evening was the first practice for the Yankees team (Kevin is not thrilled about the team name!), and we got our new glove and cleats on with so much excitement.  The boys gathered for a team meeting with Coach Andrew first.  Paying close attention and cheesing out!

After a warm-up run, the boys were split into groups of 4 to work on drills.  Linc's group began with throwing, and the Coach worked with them on the proper throwing and catching techniques.  We'll be working on the 'W' move to perfect our throws. 

Water break then hitting practice!  Linc has a bat and tee that we use in the yard, but the bat is a lightweight plastic.  This was a real bat and quite heavy, according to Linc!  Kevin is getting him a real bat tomorrow to practice with at home and build some muscle!  Once he got comfortable with the feel of the bat, he got a few good hits off the tee! 

Running the bases finished off the practice.  Linc was eager to point out each base by name and was comfortable running the bases in order.  That seems like a given, right?  Not so much!  It's hilarious to watch a kid who has never been instructed about the base order and base path run around like crazy.  (I remember thinking that was crazy when Linc was in Little Sluggers.)  They ran a lot and got pretty sweaty!

The first practice was definitely a success!  He was eager to participate and learn in each area, really talked with the coaches (probably too much about his new glove, shoes, favorite baseball team, little brother, and on and on!), and made a few new friends.  A kid on the team is also named Lincoln, and Kevin did a double take when he saw a mom that clearly wasn't me carrying a navy backpack with turquoise trim with a turquoise monogrammed Lincoln on the front!  Yes, that little boy has the EXACT same backpack and monogram as my Lincoln.   How crazy is that?!?!  Beau was very excited about this practice as well, mostly because he thought he got to be on the team and practice too.  I carefully explained that he wasn't, but he insisted on his hat, glove and ball too.  He watched the practice for a minute or two then he told me he wanted to play on the playground instead.  We will have another practice next week then our first game!  The fun is just beginning!

The Boys' Weekend

While Mommy and Daddy were having kid-free fun in KS, the boys were having a great time with Nana and Pops at home.  They had lots of fun activities planned and got started right away.  Before it got too hot they headed to the playground (at Bowie!) to play.  Beau especially loves to play Whataburger at the little order window under the slide.  He makes everyone order Whataburger food, types on the fake computer, and even requests a pretend credit card swipe!  (Full disclosure:  He has lots of experience with credit card swipes, but only eats Whataburger every other Thursday.  He's just obsessed with it!)  Beau's order includes a "burger with cheese, plain and dry (so like his Daddy), French fries and lots of ketchup".  I'm wondering if his Whataburger job application in 15 years should reflect this early show of employee spirit?!?!

Swimming lessons with Ms. Kerin were fun in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Anamia's with Marte and Scooter.  Saturday morning brought a trip to the Children's Aquarium, and they boys were so excited!  They had never been to this one, and were excited to see the sea creatures.  (Linc's class is studying sea creatures, and he's fond of that phrase for any fish-type animal.)  The jelly fish were their favorite!  I've seen their impression of how the jellyfish go up and down, and it's pretty hilarious.    

There were lots of cool fish to check out, and they took their time examining each one.  They also watched sharks, an octopus, and some turtles.  Very interesting stuff! 

Another look at the fishies before hitting up the souvenir shop.  Linc selected a shark that he named Sharkey, and Beau picked a turtle that he named Sharkey the Turtle.  Whatever!  So much fun at the Aquarium.  Linc's teacher was thrilled that he could tell her about all of the sea creatures that he knew about from their studies.   

What weekend is complete without a fort?  The Kuhlman Boys Fort was a popular hangout then and now . . . I don't have the heart to take it down yet.   

After Lincoln's afternoon rest, he got busy with homework books.  His favorite pages were the mazes, and he was really serious.  

The days at the pool are quickly coming to an end for the summer, so they got ready for a swim in the afternoon.  Beau was insistent that he wear flip flops like Pop Pop.  Warning:  Beau walk EXTREMELY slow in flip flops.  It probably took him 10 minutes to walk down the sidewalk to the gate!  He sure looked cute though! 

Everyone had fun swimming.  Lincoln made a few new friends, and Beau spent some time flirting with Miss Francis.  Typical!!   We are going to miss the pool this fall and winter.  The boys really get to work on the skills from swimming lessons each week, and they have gotten so good this summer.

Sunday was filled with plenty of games, books, songs, and good times.  I hear brunch at The House Café was super good, and a Target run was necessary.  I was prepared for a few tears when we got home . . . because that meant Nana and Pops had to go home!  Luckily, they handled it well.  The boys were pretty chill for the rest of the evening.  After so many activities, they were quiet in their rooms reading books and playing with Legos for the evening.  I'm glad everyone had a great weekend.  Thanks to Nana and Pops for taking care of them so we could take a quick getaway.  I bet Nana and Pops had a quiet Sunday evening too . . . it can be pretty exhausting to take care of these two wild boys!   

Kansas City Weekend

The news reports say that we are now upon the end of summer . . . I'm not sure they are defining summer like I do.  I mean, 100 degrees doesn't exactly signal fall to me!  Anyway, we took a Mommy & Daddy weekend to mark the end of summer, and this year our quick trip was to Kansas City.  Kevin has been there a few times for work, it was an almost free flight/hotel/rental car thanks to points, and we could check out some new different stuff together.  We landed at the Kansas City airport on Friday morning and headed west to Lawrence to check out the KU campus.  Luckily the doors weren't locked at Allen Fieldhouse, and we got to check out the historic building.  It's amazing that they have been playing there since 1955, and their basketball program was first coached by the inventor of the sport, James Naismith. 

After touring the campus and a yummy lunch at Dempsey's, we headed back to KC for our stay.  We checked in to the amazing Hotel Intercontinental at Country Club Plaza for the weekend.  Love that the rooms all had balconies with an amazing view.  We were just a block away from tons of shops and restaurants, but more on that later.   

We had tickets to the Kansas City Royals vs. Washington Nationals game on Friday evening, and it was a great game!   The ballpark is pretty cool and had great fans.  We loved our seats in the lower level and had a couple of close foul ball situations!  I quickly became a homer and cheered for the Royals along with the crowd . . . too bad they lost!

Well, too bad they lost until we discovered that the Nationals team was staying at our hotel - on our floor - and hanging out in the hotel bar - and right next to us - and my homer status was quickly dropped!  I'll be the first to admit that I only know two Nats players (Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg), but we were excited anyway!  Late night after the game, we spotted Jayson Werth (had to look up his pic on their website) with a couple of unknown teammates sitting on the patio just a few feet away from us.  Seriously, I had to ask for a pic . . . and was denied!  He kindly said he didn't take pictures with fans, and his unknown player friend said that "pictures can get you in trouble" so they couldn't do that.  I guess I can understand their point if they are married with kids and a picture of them posing with a girl at midnight gets posted, but their wives wouldn't know that my husband was the one ready with the camera!  We're innocent guys!  At least they weren't rude about it.  We later snapped a blurry picture of Harper being escorted in by security, two unknowns posted up next to us for a while, and I had to include a picture of our favorite security guard of the weekend.  He knew we were staying there and didn't give us a hard time (as they kicked out random fans who were lurking) . . . even though Werth and his buddies could disagree about our fan status!  Ally was so happy about our Bryce Harper citing, but we couldn't even get close.   

Of course we had some amazing food on our weekend adventure!  Arthur Bryant's BBQ was super good, and we were happy to try KC BBQ without our prejudices of Texas BBQ.  I got the burnt ends (recommended by everyone!) and Kev got brisket and pulled pork.  We weren't sad about anything at that restaurant, and we were so full when we left! 

We did a lot of shopping at Country Club Plaza, toured some fun areas of KC, and had a yummy dinner (like we needed more food) at Plaza III Steakhouse so Kevin could have a real Kansas City strip steak (but the potatoes were the real winner of the night)!  We hit up a fun toy store and bought the boys a few Dusty Crophopper toys (from the Planes movie).  We had a fun and relaxing weekend with just hanging out in a different place, and I'm so thankful that we are each other's best travel companion.  Lincoln and Beau had plenty of their own adventures and fun times in Dallas with Nana and Pop Pops . . . stay tuned for that post tomorrow!

Messy Face Beau!

Beau is all about enjoying food and getting messy is part of the process!  I can't help but smile (through my wince about crazy messy fingers and faces) while I watch him savor his occasional treats.  I left my Mommy card at home one afternoon and let the boys eat a slice of cookie cake topped with pink icing in the car!  They really took their time scooping the pink icing off the top and licking it off their fingers before devouring the cookie cake.  Lincoln is usually pretty neat, but Beau really gets in to the process!  Pink mouth, chin and fingers . . . but it was yummy!

After a nutritious and delicious dinner one night this week, Beau was ready for dessert!  Lincoln quickly ate his mini ice cream sandwich and headed for the playroom, but Beau wasn't finished after he coated his face and hands with the sandwich part.  He was sure that a Popsicle would be the best ending to his meal!  So chocolate sandwich was glued onto his face by the stickiness of the Popsicle . . . great! 

Occasionally I have to tell his teacher at school that he doesn't have a rash or skin problem on his face because it's just red Popsicle stain that didn't come off in the bath.  Maybe we need stronger soap!!  I don't even need to join in on the desserts because I get so much joy watching him love the treats  so much!  I can't tell you the last time I had an ice cream sandwich, Blue Bell vanilla cup (their latest obsession), banana split (another of their faves), or Popsicle, but I love to experience it through Beau and (way easier to clean up) Lincoln.  Happy sweet treats to someone who really knows how to enjoy them!

Saturday Night Movie and Sunday at the Pool

Our first family movie night happened on Saturday!  Lincoln has been to the movies with Mommy several times (and with Nana and Pops too), but Beau hasn't been invited yet to the real movie theatre.  Daddy scouted out the new Alamo Drafthouse movie theatre that opened in our neighborhood and decided it was time for us to all go together!  The boys were in a trance watching Planes, and they cheered so much for Dusty Crophopper.  It was a cute movie, and even Daddy enjoyed it.  It's one of those eat dinner while you watch places, and we ordered a mountain of food - chicken wrap for Mommy, pizza for Daddy, chicken strips and fries for the boys.  Beau noticed Daddy's pizza and wanted a few slices, and we had to get popcorn after dinner because you can't go to the movies without eating popcorn!  Beau's first movie experience was great, and he's such a big boy!  They are already asking to go back!

On Sunday afternoon, we went to the pool for a little late summer fun.  Lincoln had a little problem with his goggles leaking water, but he was a super swimmer anyway.  He always amazes me with his skills!  Daddy came to watch today and loved that Linc could swim across the pool with strong arms and kicks.  He definitely has the body for a fast swimmer, so we may need to get ready for the Olympics!

Beau was thrilled that Miss Abby was back at the lifeguard chair.  Miss Frances was ok when we went on Monday, but he always wants it to be Miss Abby.  (She was at band camp last week!)  He jumped and played and did some mandatory swims then he was happy to take a snack break.  He picked his favorite chair with his bag of goldfish and settled in.  Within a minute, he said to me, "There is a blue chair by Miss Abby, and I need to take my snack to sit by her.  You stay here, Mommy."  So Beau went to hang with his favorite lifeguard, and I didn't follow but took pictures and held back laughter and maybe a tear! (I guess I can't always be his best girl!)  Miss Abby is so sweet to Beau and chatted with him as he ate his snack. 

It wasn't long before he came back to collect all of the toys we brought to play with in the pool.  He scoured the baby pool and took each ring, boat, ball and squirt gun to show Miss Abby.  He was very serious about laying them out on her chair and telling her all about them.  Seriously, she's the sweetest to give so much attention to Beau. 

Beau got back in the water for a while, but he made sure to call out and wave to Miss Abby every few minutes.  One time he even said that she was his girlfriend!!  This summer of pool time is coming to a close, and we can only hope to see Miss Abby next year.  Or maybe I should get her number and have her babysit sometime . . . that would surely make Beau's day!

Sunny Days

In the normal heat of August, most of our outside time is spent at the pool.  The boys have loved splashing and playing in the pool, and we have also been working on the skills they learn at swimming lessons.  Lincoln has come so far since the days of screaming through the whole "Mommy & Me" lessons two years ago.  He can swim independently (without floaties or a puddle-jumper) so well.  I am so proud that he can confidently swim the length of the pool and all around by himself.  He also loves to jump in to splash me!  Beau loves to jump to me as well, but he's a little more concerned with flirting with Miss Abby or Miss Frances (the lifeguards).  Each time he swims back to the wall and climbs out, he runs to them for their approval/congratulations.  Such a ham!!  We took a snack break on the lounge chairs during our Monday afternoon swim, and they were having lots of fun!  I love hanging out at the pool with these little swimmers!

An unusual cool front made Thursday really pleasant to play outside, and the boys were home with Nana and Pop Pop all day.  They rode bikes and played on the swingset/clubhouse to take advantage of the super nice temperature.  So jealous that I was at work!  Lincoln especially loved playing in the bubbles! 

We are still wary of mosquitos and try to stay inside when the mosquitos are out in full.  One got in the house last weekend, and Beau woke up with 7 bites!  Luckily they didn't really bother him, and they are all fading quickly.  We are ready for cooler temps and fall, but we can manage the rest of the summer with the relief of the pool! 

Night at the Circus!!!

The circus is in town!!  We missed it last year, so we definitely had to check it out this year.  Lincoln was so excited and got busy telling Beau all about what we would see.  The theme was dragons this year, and we had to talk about that for a while.  Lincoln says that dragons shoot their stinky breath on people and they fall down, so we would need to be careful!  Funny!  We went to the original downtown El Fenix for dinner before the show and went across to the AAC to find our seats.  The nice usher lady took our family picture, and I was relieved that we were all looking at the camera and mostly smiling!  (By the way, she needs to work on her family picture-taking skills.  She only took one shot, and it was luck that we all looked.  It usually takes several to get a good one!)  I'm thinking we are a pretty cute little family, and we were pretty color-coordinated by accident!  

One of the first highlighted shows was the stunt horse riders.  Those people did crazy tricks while the horses were flying around their ring so fast.  The boys clapped along with excitement.  Beau was pretty quiet for the first few events.  It was really a lot to take in for a 2 1/2 year old, but he got over his trepidation quickly. 

The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus no longer features tightrope walkers . . . instead they have tightrope motorcyclists with girls dangling below!  We were very observant to notice that none of them had a harness on, and they even did a 360 flip in the air!!   

We watched so intensely, and the boys barely took their eyes of the action below.  Lincoln did stop watching a few times to ask when we took a break to get a toy and a snack.  We had a countdown to intermission,  and he couldn't understand what was taking so long! 

The tigers and lions got everyone's attention!  Beau spent the first part of this show with his hands over his eyes saying, "I don't like this, I don't like this" over and over.  We talked about how he loves his lion at home, and he decided to pry his hands from his face and watch.  One of the tigers was being a bit stubborn to the trainer and Beau shouted, "You need to mind that man, you Tiger, or you will be in trouble!"  That's the spirit!  When the tigers went back in the cage, Beau told me he liked just the lion.   

Finally it was time for intermission, and Lincoln was so happy to take a shopping break!  They picked out silly light up things then had to compare.  So far no one has stolen the other one's toy, but they were already checking each other's toy out with curiosity! 

I had promised that they could get popcorn for a snack, but those sneaky circus people had an amazingly tempting snack table set up in the concourse.  They were selling sno-cones(!) with rainbow colors (!!) in cups shaped like a tiger (!!!), and Lincoln and Beau were done with the popcorn idea and sold on these displays of shaved ice heaven!  So the circus only comes once a year (and we missed last year, right?), and we indulged in this bit of ridiculousness!  One intermission = $80.  No kidding, a sno-cone is $20!  They happily ate 1/8 of the most amazing sno-cone ever and were done.  Now the lion cups are sitting in the kitchen waiting to be drank from NEVER!!!  Wait . . . I think I'm instituting a rule that the cups should be used each day until we recoup the cost.  But they really enjoyed the excitement of ordering them and eating them for 5 minutes, and that's what being a kid is all about!!   

After intermission we saw the trapeze artists and several acrobat troupes.  The boys got excited again when the elephants came out.  There were six big elephants and a baby one.  They performed perfectly, and I weirded myself out a little over thinking the life of a circus elephant.  Anyway, we clapped a lot! 

Last but certainly not least, the theme of the entire show made a brief 45 second appearance in the form of a parade around the stage . . . the DRAGON!!!  The parents were completely underwhelmed, but the boys listed it as one of their most favorite things about the entire show!  Lincoln was happy that we sat in the club level so the stinky breath couldn't get to us.  I wonder if the performers of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey feel slighted that a mechanical dragon steals their thunder after all of their training and showmanship?   

We had a great time at the circus, and the boys have been talking about it nonstop.  It was a super fun family outing, and I love to watch new things through their young eyes.  Everything is amazing if you just let it be!