ZOO

Wednesdays are half-price days at the zoo and for our family that means it costs us $26 to go to the zoo and park in the zoo parking lot. Not too shabby when you think of how much EVERYTHING else costs for a family of five. We took Amaya out of school early and headed to the zoo as a special surprise trip for both Amaya and Caden's upcoming birthdays in October.
Amaya would have had me take a picture of her with every single animal out there if she could have talked me into it. Here are the children with the tortoise.


Jordan inside the MOLA (Museum of Living Art)

Caden wanted a picture of him "sitting on" the snake.

All three looking at the turtles swimming underwater.

Very cool. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that he never actually saw the snake.

Had to get an official MOLA pic for Amaya's Zoo Scrapbook

Inside the stagecoach in the Texas section. Note: Amaya is wearing her tiger shirt and tiger print headband in honor of our trip to the zoo.

Caden looking up into the water.

Then Amaya jumped in and Caden wasn't too sure about sharing his "water spot"
Amaya is holding a book that Grandma Pat bought her a few months ago from Barnes and Noble. It's called "Critters" and it's a guide to all the "critters" found in Texas. At the back there is a section where you can check off the animals you've seen and when and where you saw them. She was able to check A LOT of her animals off after visiting the Texas section and she was SO excited!

This was supposed to be a picture of everyone with the Bald Eagle for Duke since that is his favorite bird. However, you can't really see him so it just turns about to a cute pic of Chase and the kids.
The boys and I. Getting toward the end of trip and starting to feel a little tired and sleepy. Also, Jordan decided he needed to wear his "ba-pack" for the rest of the trip.

Jordan was the first one to spot the Texas Longhorn and the Paint horse but then started looking at his shoe before I could catch a shot of him pointing.

Caden's favorite part: the GORILLAS! He wanted his picture with the gorilla before we left and it was one of the last things we did. He was very happy.

I love the zoo when it's not a thousand degrees and without a thousand other people. It wasn't crowded and it was just a beautiful fun day with my family. The kids LOVE animals. I don't get it but I can certainly appreciate it. ;)

Sea World 2010

All loaded up and ready for some SEA WORLD!!

Jordan got so excited he fell asleep.

Caden (who never REALLY sleeps) was ready for some fun!



We checked in at the hotel and headed straight to Sea World.



Little Jordy was "aaah'ed" by the fish.

Amaya was an excellent tour guide.

We had planned to stay and catch the nighttime Shamu show but the rain was too much for these little ones and so we had to leave for the day.

The next morning we hit our (2nd)favorite breakfast spot: IHOP before heading back to Sea World.

Jordan was so excited that this time he couldn't sit still.

And that wasn't stressing Chase at all. Doesn't that smile look genuine?

You can't see them but that is the first roller coaster ride for Caden and the first for both Caden and Amaya to ride without an adult.

I could not stand the thought of playing in HOT sand when it was already a thousand degrees so I graciously decided to let Chase spend this special time with the kids while I stayed OUT of the sand pit.

It's like she doesn't even notice the heat. Sweet girl.

Caden too.

If my camera had been aimed a little more to the left it would have been a PERFECT shot of Amaya feeding the dolphin. Still, not too shabby.

Caden wanted to buy fish to feed the dolphins with his OWN money from his OWN wallet.

Having a blast and loving each other (for the moment).

Searching for a dolphin.

The Lost Lagoon in the water park section.

We tried to talk the child into heading over to a different more age-appropriate area so she could actually get her entire body wet. AND this is what she opted to do instead.

Jordan loved the water and the slide.

Jordan's first movie experience "Toy Story 3". He made it through half of the movie before Chase had to take him out but I blame the forty minutes of previews we had to endure before the movie even started. I think he would have made it through if we'd just been there for the movie part.

Where's Jordan???!!

THERE HE IS!

His favorite part of the trip: the hotel room closet.

We love Sea World and we LOVE San Antonio. We had a blast and are so blessed to have grandparents that want to send us on vacation. THANKS GRAM! And thanks Duke and Nana for the spending money for the kids.

What A Doll!

Amaya has been diligently working on an independent study project for several weeks now. Each student was told they could pick the toy or game of their choice to study and to learn the process they did a group study project over Silly Putty. They even got a chance to make their own Silly Putty.
(On a side not let me just tell you that Silly Putty is not half as fun as it used to be because they've changed the ink they use to print newspapers and it does NOT come off on the Silly Putty anymore. Maybe I should get myself a Thrifty Nickel or a Greensheet. I bet they use the old-fashioned stuff.)

So, Amaya decided she would study dolls. Not Barbies. Not Cabbage Patch Kids. Just, dolls.

Wow, Amaya! What a broad topic you have picked!

So, we researched on the Internet, purchased an extremely creepy book about dolls at Half-Price books and began learning oh so very much about dolls. Here's where we came upon a slight problem. The first sub-topic she was asked to research was the origin of the toy or games she chose to study. Do you know what the origin of the doll is? I do. The first dolls were used as symbols of the gods (i.e. idols) or to ward off demons. I have no problem with Amaya having this knowledge and learning everything she can about history or the way things work. The problem was in how to put this information in a format suitable for a first - grade study project. Many of our sources referred to the origin of dolls as either pagan or demonic. We finally decided to stick to the facts as we knew them and press on with the project.
A speech, a tri-fold board and a product.
Those are all the things that had to be a part of this project. It was a big undertaking and it took us quite a while to get it done.
She worked hard. She was so excited about what she was learning and she really didn't seem to get tired or bored with the work. I mean, we both got a little touchy that last night trying to finish the tri-fold board and I must confess that a lot of that was my fault. I have such a hard time letting Amaya own things. I have problems letting her be in the kitchen. Sometimes even in her own room. And, I most certainly had to hold my tongue and let this be Amaya's project. Not Mommy's. So, Amaya and I both had a learning experience thanks to this project.
Also, I would just like to add, I am very pleased (thrilled) that we are done. She is the first grade. We have such a LONG way to go. Fun. Three kids. Awesome.

She keeps on smiling. So proud of that kid!

Caden was his ever helpful self. We learned after many frustrating evenings that it was better to let Amaya stay up just a little bit later than usual and work on things AFTER Caden was in bed.

Studying her book and learning how to make clothespin dolls.

Working with Chase on her speech. He was a very agreeable secretary.

Our finished "product". Clothespin dolls. Amaya can't get that in her head and keeps refering to them as paper clip dolls. She's so cute.


"Night of the Experts" is Tuesday, April 13, 2010 in the Deer Creek Elementary cafeteria beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Amaya's tri-fold board and product will be displayed for all to see.

Pictures will definitely be posted and hopefully a blog about the experience.

Happy Bunny Day!!

Easter 2010

Okay, it's not much information but just a small glimpse of how our day went. Taking the time to import, upload and caption pictures is about all the time I have for blogging right now.

Happy Easter!!

Easter baskets before the kids attacked.

Nana and Amaya at Carino's

Sadie loves her some Duke

I don't know. But, it sure is cute.

Of course Buddy had to come spend Easter eggs with us.

I don't think I will ever get one with all three looking at the camera and smiling.