Space Center Houston

Here are our pictures from Space Center Houston. We had a lot of fun and I look forward to going back without Mirek. We missed a 90 minute tram tour that takes you around the NASA complex. It would have been pure torture with a one and a half year old....next time. I also didn't have a single dollar with me (we have a membership) so we didn't get to try "space food" or some of the flight simulators. There is a Star Wars one that I think Taven would love. It is $4.

Space Cram

Anytime I am baking, the kids want to help.

Mirek just smiles.

 Here he is stretching with me.

 I discovered that Taven loves tracing books! These are old ones that Naia or Eaden already completed but he doesn't mind. He was pretending that he was wrecking his car. I think I will make him some new paths to trace...a homemade tracing book. I could throw in some cowboys, ninjas, hidden treasure, pirates (all of his favorite things). He will love it!

I didn't get a picture, but while Taven was tracing, Naia was playing with two pencils. She was pretending they were people. She can turn anything into a doll! When I tried to sneak up on her to take a pic Eaden started cracking up. She said "Naia just said 'of course I have a boyfriend'." Then Naia got mad, threw down the pencils, and stomped off.

Little man got stuck in this pot so he was pretty excited when he finally got out.

On Tuesday we made a last minute decision to get a membership to Space Center Houston (Johnson Space Center) and we are going tomorrow! The kids have never been.

We immediately started a cram session on astronauts, the solar system, etc.

We studied space pretty thoroughly in the past but it has been a while.

We even made fresh new Bring Back Pluto! shirts to wear!

Grandpa's Farm

We went to my Dad's property this past weekend. Its official name is Winding Creek but the kids refer to it as Grandpa's Farm.

We are always excited to see what new dogs are hanging around. This time we met Daisy. She belongs to a new neighbor and stayed over the entire weekend.

 Taven sat on this saddle half the time we were there.

 The kids played with these neat marble runs my Dad found somewhere.

 We went to the Lufkin Zoo to see our old friend the fat raccoon.

 Not sure what was wrong with this turtle.

 Back at the farm, the kids found a treasure map!

 And treasure!

 This is the new "saloon" my Dad is building. It is going to be massive! If you don't know, my Dad is recreating an Old Western town.

 Mirek didn't like watching his Daddy up high on the roof, but I calmed him down.

 This is the bunk room where the kids sleep. Nice and clean.

 Cheese face with his cousin Weston.

It was a sad time with a lot of crying when it was time to go. Taven was very upset that he did not get to drive the tractor (it was raining), but there is always next time...

Thursday wasn't the prettiest of days, but the kids wanted to get out. They've been wanting to go to the "dinosaur museum" and dig for bones, but that costs $5 per kid and will have to wait. Maybe next week.

We went to a nearby park.

Taven immediately went to look for nutria. We did not see any. Too cold I think. I did see lots of pretty little yellow Pine Warblers, but did not get a good picture because the kids kept scaring them off.

Some sign language fun.

We have been enjoying our rental car the last couple of days. A new mini van! With working heat and a working radio! Ahhhh luxurious. We were rear ended last week and I'm kind of hoping my car is "totaled." The shop said it might be. Not totaled as in it doesn't work (it runs fine) but totaled as in the repairs cost more than the car is worth. Then maybe I can get some cash and keep my car....who knows.

Eaden, we believe, left her "blankie" in our car being repaired. She is having a hard time without it. I didn't really realize she was so attached.

 After returning from our nature walk, we made cookies.

 Oh we had also stopped by the library. We have a serious addiction to kids magazines, especially Nat Geo Kids and Zoobooks. We also check out Ranger Rick, Highlights, and American Girl. Zoobooks is the kids and my favorite. Each magazine focuses on one animal in a super kid friendly format.

Letters

We had one more ice experiment Wednesday morning.

We got a few of our letters finished and in the mail.

And the kids met a friend!

More Ice

An "Arctic Blast" came through South Texas on Tuesday, again shutting down schools and the government as well. It's funny. If there is any chance of precipitation with below freezing temperatures, everything shuts down.

The girls finished up a dollhouse they had been working on.

Here is our "snow!" I know Northerners would laugh, but it's a big deal to us.

 The kids worked on some letters they are sending to friends and family.

 We experimented with some ice castles.

 And the kids made me laugh when they came into the kitchen wearing this ensemble referring to themselves as "DJ's."