Bluebonnets 2014

Ah, the bluebonnets. You see them and they are so beautiful. Yet so close to the busy highway. And then you look at last year's pictures and think "how bad could it be?" Pretty bad. Apparently I had blocked out last year's episode that took 2 days, thanks to tantrums and tears.

This year Lily refused to smile, sit, look at the camera, hold the #2 (for her 2 year birthday pictures, I just clump as many portraits as I can into one sitting), keep her hair in pigtails. Basically anything I asked her to do, she wanted to do the opposite. Terrible two's anyone?

We did get a few cute ones at a little patch right around the corner from my house. Then we ventured to another patch, where Wade proceeded to pick up a can of something nasty and throw it at Jack. So Jack got covered in nastiness. We were DONE.

But next year, I know that I will look at these cute pictures and think, "how bad could it be?"

 

 

 

 

Sherwood Forest Faire

The Renaissance Festival again!

This year, we expanded our crew and brought Mary & Dave and the Bowden clan. There was so much to do, we didn't even know where to begin! We tried to plan for a couple of shows, fit in lunch, let the kids ride a few things and wander around just looking for a bit. I love going to this festival, it's like entering another world. Which, I guess, is the point. The people talk differently and dress differently. The music and food are different. So cool.

First stop, carousel. Some of the animals were antique, the others were handcrafted (as was the actual carousel) by a family member of the lady running the ride.

 

 

 

Next, we stopped and listened to some music on the way to a magic show. The big kids had a great time watching the show. Lily lost interest pretty quickly and wanted to go back to the music, which I was fine with! After the show, we settled in and had pizza under the pavilion.

 

After that, we stopped off at the kids play area/castle before heading over to the petting zoo, which had a baby camel. So cute! Then we went to visit the "don't climb on the fountain" dragon. Which we proceeded to let the kids climb on. And get yelled at for.

 

 

 

 

Next we headed over to the bird show. But on the way, Wade wanted to ride the horse jousting ride that he remembered from last year. He had pretty good aim with his jousting stick (I have no idea what it's actually called) and knocked down the little rings each time. When he was done, the lady gave him a "jewel," which is now in a very special place at our house. I think...

 

 

 

The bird show was awesome. There was an owl, a vulture and two types of falcons. The vulture was pretty scary, it actually chased one of the guys around a bit and we weren't really sure if it was part of the show or not... The owl was beautiful and the falcons were so fast and well trained. Both kids really enjoyed watching them.

 

 

 

On the way out, we got trapped by one of those salesmen guys selling puppet dragons. The dragons were actually super cool, but VERY expensive. So, instead we bought $5 eggs, ensuring us at least a $5 (statue) prize, but it could contain a large (EXPENSIVE) puppet prize. Of course, both kids got the $5 statues, but the girl after us won a $200 puppet with her $5 egg :/ Ah well...

Exhausted, dusty and cold (did I mention it was overcast, windy and in the 50's?), we hit the road for our long drive home. But very happy :)

Slime and tents

Well, not actually slime. It's called cloud dough or something like that. You mix cornstarch and hair conditioner and you get this really unique consistency. It sort of "melts" like cornstarch and water does, but it's thicker. Plus is smells really good.

Then Wade, woke up one morning with plans to build Lily playhouse. Really sweet, but we already have two. He was not to be dissuaded, so we went to Lowes and came back with supplies for tents. He was not really all that excited about them (since they were NOT playhouses), but they came out fantastic. And now, they actually enjoy them. Somedays I will find one or both in their tents playing some game or reading. It's really cute.

Outside stuff

I recently found a free playhouse on the side of the road in our subdivision. Although a little sun-bleached, it was in good shape. And Wade really wanted it :/ So, after a few trips back to the house for the appropriate tools, I disassembled, took home, scrubbed off, and reassembled our new playhouse! Yes we already have one. Or two. Don't judge.

The kids really love it and now have a new area to cook my dirt cupcakes in. Win for everyone!

 

Here's some random pics of the beautiful weather we've been having. Oh yeah, and the kids playing.
With large bugs that don't creep Mommy out...

 

We took another field trip to The Natural Gardener on one of the first nice days of spring. Goats, chickens, flowers, and swings. Afterwards, I tried to take us to Chuy's for lunch, not knowing that they don't open until 3 pm :/ So, with a couple of screaming, crabby, hungry kids, we pulled into the first pizza place we could find... and discovered a gem! Conan's Pizza (we just ignored the half-naked people on the walls) was so good! It was a dark little hole-in-the-wall with fantastic pizza. And kids really liked it, which is all the usually matters. Especially with the near-hysterical state we were in at this point :)