Summer vacation: Week 4

My parents were here for the 4th week of summer vacation.  They actually arrived on the Friday of week 3, but I am just going to try to ignore that fact while I try to keep things organized in my own special way on here.  I know, I am a bit crazy like that!

Roy had a lot of work to do over the weekend, so we did a lot of relaxing at home, swimming, and running errands.

My mom and I took the kids to the Children's Museum on Sunday afternoon for a bit.  It was the busiest I have ever seen it.  Parking was c.r.a.z.y and reminds to never go back on an afternoon again!

Monday was Canada Day.  I had planned about 3 months ago to order the kids some red & white Canadian clothing online to be shipped to my parents to bring with them, but that didn't happen.  I always have great ideas.  But my procrastination always takes over every situation!  In the end, I bought some red t shirts and some iron on letters to make shirts myself.  My mom found some little flags and maple leafs to add as well.  And I decided to do some red ribbon in Riley's hair.  Leighton was pretty jealous he didn't have long enough hair for ribbons, too.

We took the kids to Half Price Books to turn in their June reading logs for the summer reading program and then to Grimaldi's for pizza lunch.  We went there on Canada Day with my parents last year, too!

In the afternoon, I brought out a couple red and white treats by the pool.

Tuesday my Mom and I took the kids to a playground breakfast play date and then to our usual Tuesday morning story times at HEB and Bellaire Library.  In the afternoon, we spent some time in the pool.

Wednesday we spent at the zoo and Hermann Park.  While at the zoo, we took Grandma and Papa to see the LEGO animals, the Swap Shop, the white (not albino) alligator, the giant komodo dragon, and the splash park.  We also rode the carousel and had lunch (inside in air conditioning!!!) before heading to the peddle boats in the park.  Leighton rode with Grandma and Papa while Riley came with Mommy and Daddy.  We saw fish and turtles and a duck with babies.  The weather was overcast and so we didn't boil at all, which was a nice treat!  For another nice treat, we went and had some ice cream while we waited for the train ride.  It got super hot while we were riding the train, so by the time we got home, we were all ready to play in the pool.

Thursday was the 4th of July.  Also my Dad's birthday.  And another occasion to have the kids all dressed up in new patriotic outfits (Riley's has quickly become one of her favorite things to wear and she even wore it to bed over her jamjams the first night!).

We started the day with some American flag inspired toast, but the real breakfast was the donuts that the kids and Roy took Papa to go get!

And then we were off to the ballpark.  It was the first time Roy, Leighton, and I had been to a game since we went to see the Yankees with my parents when Leighton was 7 months old and Riley had never been.  My family is a big baseball family, so to go on the 4th of July and for Papa's birthday was pretty fun!

We weren't sure how the kids would do at the stadium that long and were fully prepared to leave early and/or spend lots of time walking around with them exploring.  But, they both did really great!  Almost makes me think I'd want to spend time on an airplane with them (well, Leighton for sure ... it's the little one that is always the biggest trouble!).  Almost.  But not quite!  I packed the kids lots of snacks (even some that were red, white, and blue!) and an activity folder in case they needed extra entertainment.  I wouldn't have even had to pull them out but Riley saw them and sweetly asked demanded to have it.

We got there very early, and so Riley got to spend a long time walking through the rows and up and down steps and so by the time it started to fill up, she was done with the activity and we weren't in anyone's way.  Nice.  When we went to grab hot dogs (you HAVE to eat a hot dog at the ballpark!  I also packed sandwiches and fruit for the kids, too, and had cheese and veggies waiting in the cooler in the car for them for the way home) for lunch, Leighton wanted to get right back to his seat so he didn't miss anything, so I had to run him back and then return to help my Dad carry all the food.  And when we took the kids to the playground area, Leighton was eager to get back to not miss the end of the game.  He sat between my parents so they were able to teach him all about the game and he was really into it.

We had a quick dinner for the kids when we got home and all had birthday dessert (that famous tart again!  Papa said he could eat it every day of his life last year when I made it, so I decided to make it instead of cake since we've been eating so much cake lately) with Papa before a little swim and then shuffling the kids off to bed.

Friday my parents left.  We were able to take a quick trip to the garden center to check out what plants and flowers were on sale and looking decent before lunch and their departure though.

It was a quick visit for them this time and we aren't sure when their next one will be, but we can't wait for it to happen!