Going for Gold

In the spirit of the Olympics, I decided to create a little competition with myself to see if I could possibly do even more with the kids this week than we did last week.  Let's see how I did ...

Monday
The kids and I explored a bit of Rice Village for the first time.  We started the day at Half Price Books to get some new chapter books for Leighton and Daddy to read at bedtime.  We found several other books to buy too, of course!  We had met our friends Naomi and Hannah there and then went across the street to shop at the GAP quickly.  While we were waiting for Naomi and Hannah to finish up, Riley and Leighton did some running races outside.  Guess they were feeling the spirit of the Olympics as well!

From there we had some muffins while we killed time waiting for Ben & Jerry's to open.

When we got to Ben & Jerry's it wasn't open, but after a couple phone calls back and forth with them assuring us they'd be there shortly, they eventually arrived and we enjoyed our treat.

After lunch and Riley's nap at home, we had planned to meet Hannah and Naomi at the library for Sidewalk Astronomy for a chance for the kids (and us moms ,too!) to see the sun through a telescope.  Talia and Naomi joined us and we were happy to have one more chance to see them before they moved away the next morning.

After the library we went for a much needed swim to cool off and Leighton also had his swimming lesson.

 

Tuesday
We spent the morning with Douniazed and the kids in their pool.  Leighton was feeling brave and attempted to start trying to dive again.  He figured out how to do it last summer and practiced a lot with his swimming teacher in the Bronx, but once we started swimming here in the spring he couldn't remember and was nervous to try.  I was really proud of him for giving it a shot again!

In the afternoon, we stopped at Old Navy and Target before heading to the library again to exchange our books.  The kids really enjoy the high-tech system they have here because we get to scan our books ourselves when we are checking out and we get to put our book returns on a conveyor belt that scans them and puts them in the drop box.

We then took Leighton for his swimming lesson at the Y and poor Riley melted in the heat watching him. She had fun playing with some of the other younger siblings also there to watch though!

Wednesday
Roy and I took the kids to the dentist for Leighton's semi-annual appointment and for Riley's first ever appointment.  As predicted, Leighton was a model patient and Riley wasn't very interested in opening her mouth for anyone to poke around in!!  I was very glad to have Roy there to help out.

On the way home, I took the kids to Wal Mart for a few groceries and a chance to give Riley something to make her happy after torturing her at the dentist!

In the afternoon I took the kids swimming before Leighton's lesson.

When we got in the car, this is what we saw.  As Leighton says, "It's hot in Houston!"

Thursday
We spent Thursday morning at the zoo.  First we cooled off in the Sprayground.

Riley found it pretty funny to get Mommy soaked and kept trying to spray me by stepping on different fountains before running up to me and squealing "Soaked!"

Next we went over to the Children's Zoo and checked out a big part we hadn't been to before where Leighton could do some climbing and sliding, but Riley was didn't meet the height (or independent!) requirement.  They also went back in the tunnels and giggled nonstop together. 

While they were playing at the playground, a helicopter landed at the Med Center right near us.

In the afternoon, we headed out for Leighton's swimming lesson but found out it was cancelled when we got there.  Instead, the kids went into the Kid Zone, the free babysitting area for members at the Y to do some coloring.  I've been slowly trying to get Riley used to going in (with varied success!) for a few minutes here and there, and after a bit of hesitation she went in with her big brother for a little bit this time around.

Friday
We needed to find a good indoor activity to keep us out of the heat again, so I decided a trip the grocery store would be perfect to provide entertainment, a snack, and the opportunity to get the few groceries we needed.  The kids love going to HEB because not only do they have fun carts (although we got the most basic of the 'other one' kind this time around - I guess lots of other parents had the same idea as me for something to do!), they also have many taste testers, free cookies for kids at the bakery, and Buddy Bucks to use in the HEBuddy spinning wheel game (Leighton likes to get the points to save up for a prize and Riley just likes smacking the button that stops the wheel!).  On Friday, Riley got an instant winner on the wheel and the kids were so excited to get the prize.  This month it was a ruler, and the girl at the counter gave them each one, which was really nice of her.

In the afternoon we were back at the pool for a swim and Leighton's make up lesson for the one they cancelled on Thursday.

Saturday
Just because we hadn't done enough activity during the week, we decided to spend the day at the Children's Museum.  Because Roy was with us, we were able to split up a bit and Leighton could have someone to help him do lots of the activities he's been wanting to try that I couldn't do with him while chasing Riley at the same time.  Riley could spend time in the baby/toddler section that Leighton is too old for and she had fun checking things out and interacting with some kids her own age.

In the evening we went to one of Roy's colleagues for a swim and dinner.  Leighton was pretty excited to get a chance to play with his friend Konrad again.

Sunday
Other than a quick trip to the grocery store for me and Riley, we stayed home and relaxed today!  I think we earned a day off after doing so much all week.

So, I think we may have succeeded in my personal challenge.  Gold medal for me!