Stay-cation - Part V - AM Park

A.M. Park is T Rex Dad's very favorite park in the city. I have to admit, it is pretty cool. I am still undecided as I have many more parks to visit before I can make my final decision. At the moment, this is also T Rex's favorite. 


On the last weekday of T Rex Dad's stay-cation, we decided a trip to A.M. Park was in order. And of course, picnic lunch was in order, too. We always start with play time first. T Rex happily played on the jungle gym with his dad while Bebe Sister spent almost the entire visit on the swing. I finally took her out when she started to fall asleep.

The race cars are always a big draw with the kids. There are these cranks that the kids turn and the cars race around the track. 

And the fountain...A little mist from the fountain was just the trick to cool everyone off before heading home for nap time.

Bebe Sister liked looking at the fountain from afar. She actually preferred the soggy grass.

Then onto nap times so I could work on preparations for a weekend of celebrations - my mom's 70-something birthday and my sister/brother-in-law's 30th wedding anniversary. Posting on it to come soon. Plus, one on the projects I completed while T Rex Dad was off.


Do you have a favorite park? What is it about that park that makes it your favorite?

Stay-cation - Part IV - Final Space Shuttle Launch

We were so glad the final space shuttle launch - Shuttle Atlantis - coincided with T Rex Dad's stay-cation. We were also very happy it went off on-schedule and on-time. 

We would have loved to have been there in-person as we did have a couple of friends who witnessed the launch in Florida. I've always wanted to see and feel one in person. 

I have watched many a shuttle launch from school, home, work, etc. I've seen the Challenger and Columbia accidents but I've also seen dozens of other successful launches and landings, too. And, sometimes we can walk outside and see the shuttle docked to the International Space Station zooming by the night sky. That is cool!


Our son's bedroom is decorated with a space theme. He has a Saturn V rocket hanging from the ceiling along with a solar system mobile hanging as well. A photo of Eugene Cernan standing on the moon (he was the last man on the moon) also hangs over his bed. He says good night to him every night. Space travel is a big thing for us in our home. 

It was with great emotion we said good bye to the space shuttle program as we watched the final launch. I have no idea where the US space program will be going. It has given back far more than has put into it. More on this in a later posting. I think it would be a sad, sad thing if we do not get ourselves back into space and do it soon.

I was so happy we could share this moment together as a family. As a kid watching shuttle launches from my classroom I would have never thought some day I would sit down with my kids and watch a shuttle launch. But here it is and sadly, for the last time.

T Rex excitedly awaited the launch as the countdown paused at 31 seconds. After the countdown resumed he was content to just snuggle his dad. Bebe Sister was antsy and wanted to snuggle with me but I was videoing the event. Hence, the bit of whining in the background of the video. Then she insisted I take her photo, too, which I managed to do with her sitting on my lap hence the close up.

A very short video of the boys watching the launch. It is not the most exciting video but I wanted to document the event. T Rex Dad woke up early to get the computer connected to our giant monitor so we could have "TV" for the launch. Of course, it was only NASA TV but I could probably watch that all day! As you can see, T Rex was enthralled.

 

Have you ever seen a shuttle launch live? Any memories of watching ones on TV? Thoughts on the US space program?

Stay-cation - Part III - Independence Day

We had our Independence Day celebration in two parts. First, we had some friends over a couple days prior. We provided the food and they provided the entertainment. Alas, this was T Rex's response to the fireworks:

However, he was fine with sparklers. It did make for a short bit of entertainment. He said he was scared of the smoke and the noise. And I am fine with that. As our friend said, there is a reason we have the fear response and if this means he won't be a pyromaniac, then be scared, Little Guy. Bebe Sister was sound asleep for all the excitement.

Then on the actual 4th of July, we spent some time enjoying the summer heat. I've actually been craving some sun as it's been an extremely mild summer and where I'm from, summer is hot, hot, hot. So, for the day, it felt a little like my home planet - just for a while. T Rex Dad on the other hand, is not a fan of summer heat but he was still a good sport.


First, a little water table play time. It's a make-shift version of the real thing. Basically, a plastic storage container filled with water and then toys placed inside. This was 90 minutes of entertainment. The fun ended up being moved to the shade after the photos were taken. The last photo in this series is of Bebe Sister's response to her brother splashing her.

Then we headed over to my sister's place to celebrate with her family as well as my mom. I dressed the kids for the occasion. Bebe Sister's dress was a project from last June. It has held true to being a grow-with-me dress. And what could be more American than baseball? T Rex insisted we take his baseball things along since his cousin's baseball couch would also be at the BBQ. My sister always throws a great party and as you can see in that final photo - always festive decorations.

We did attempt to explain the meaning of Independence Day to T Rex. In the end, he asked two things: 

Can we sing happy birthday to America? Which we did.

Does America get to open her presents? To which I responded with, "She does not have enough money for presents." Hang in there good 'ole USA, there is still greatness in you because there is hope. These kids are just some of that hope.

Why do I know this? Well, as I was struggling to put our daughter to bed that night after a fun-filled day of excitement added to the booms surrounding us from all the fireworks, I craddled her at 11:00 pm trying to get her to settle (while feeling quite frustrated as usually I place her in her bed and she's asleep instantly). As I held her and sang her special song, she looked up and placed her soft hand on my cheek and said, "I whav you..." (I love you). Hearing my daughter say that to me for the first time was definitely the highlight of my Independence Day. And if there is love of a child, there is hope.

(I know I'm a week behind - I have many more posts written about the stay-cation. I'll post one a day for a while with the hope I will be caught up soon.)


Are you enjoying the stay-cation updates?

Stay-cation - Part II - Zoo Again and Again...

Alright, I know it just seems like we just had a zoo posting but here we go again and again.


When we asked T Rex what he wanted to do when his dad was off of work, the first thing we said was, "Go to the zoo". So the very first thing we did on T Rex Dad's stay-cation was hit the zoo. Most of our zoo outings are without T Rex Dad so any time he gets to go, the fun level is so much higher for all of us.

Here are some highlights from that trip:


We always start at the giraffe feeding. This was T Rex's second time feeding them alone. But, this was Bebe Sister's first time ever (she thought that long giraffe tongue was hysterical). And Julius the Giraffe did not disappoint. I would also like to say the zoo volunteers were amazing, too. 

We have a new exhibit area - Animals from the Pampas. This anteater is one of the new animals in the exhibit:

This was also the first outing to the zoo where we let Bebe Sister walk most of the way rather than being in the pack. We still took the stroller mostly to cart our picnic lunch and to have on hand in case she became tired. But she was really well behaved. It also burns off a good amount of her toddler energy that she's sporting these days.

We all went into the butterfly encounter. This time they would not let us take in our stroller which is a good way to keep Bebe Sister from grabbing at the butterflies. So, we spent most of our time keeping her away from them. It was not as enjoyable for us. However, T Rex and his dad had a great time letting the "mariposas," as T Rex called them (Spanish for butterfly), land on them. That second photo looks like something in a book - there were so many wonderful photo opportunities.

After all the zoo fun, when asked the following week what T Rex wanted to do with his dad on an outing with his friend Caleb, he replied, "Go to the zoo".


So here we go again, five days later...

Starting once again at the giraffe feeding. This time, both the kids were old pros. And once again, the zoo volunteers were wonderful and amazing. In the second photo, you can see the one-year old giraffe - he's in training to be able to do feedings but at this point, he cannot reach over the fence. He's a cutie and Julius, the five year old, takes such great care of the little guy.

As I mentioned before, this time T Rex had his dad AND a friend. The little boys just fed off each other - so much energy I wish I could harness it and solve the world's energy problems.

We also took the zoo boat ride - something I've always wanted to do but the kids have always been to small. Now, Bebe Sister is past the 30 inch height requirement so off we went. Bebe Sister was not to happy about the life vest but soon grew used to it and was looking around just like the big kids.

Here T Rex is enjoying the boat ride with his buddy Caleb. This was about the only time they were really calm and quiet. Maybe at the butterfly exhibit too, but this time, Bebe Sister and I opted to skip the butterflies and instead feed the sheep.

Once again, the zoo never disappoints. So much fun for all involved. And always more fun sharing it with friends and loved ones.


Stay tuned. More stay-cation fun still to come.

Stay-cation - Part I - Sandy Beach

One of the first outings of T Rex Dad's stay-cation that we enjoyed was a trip to the beach. 

So how does one accomplish this in a land-locked state? Well, we have a little area that has been diverted from the river and made into a beach. It's quite charming actually. It is 10 feet at its deepest point and there are little water spray areas that are set up for the kids to play in.


Now I'm from a very warm planet with an equally warm lake so I could not be convinced to go very far into the 55 degree water on an 80 degree day. 

But I enjoyed watching the kids play. T Rex LOVED having his dad by his side constantly and Bebe Sister spent at least an hour playing in the sand. 


Since it was a week night after the dinner hour, it was not crowded. (It does not get dark until 10:00 pm so plenty of evening hours of fun.) I packed some of our favorites snacks - veggie Pirate Booty (for T Rex), Oreo cookies (for T Rex Dad and Bebe Sister), and homemade ice cream (for me). Even the seagulls enjoyed the Pirate Booty, which utterly delighted the kids.

Me, I had just the best time. I loved watching my family have a wonderful beach outing. It might not be a warm lake or a beautiful ocean, but the company made for a spectacular outing. 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos -  more to come from our stay-cation. I am just breaking into chucks so as not to be too confusing.

Barber Park...

The weather has finally been nice - end of June and it's finally warm. Talk about weird weather around these parts. Still a few times we've put on sweatshirts but that has not deterred the kids from puddle jumping, running in the rain, or even jumping into the river.

On Wednesday the kids and I met some friends at a nearby park. I have not taken them there because it's right on the river and this year the river is running really high. But I thought with another mom-friend and her kids being there, I'd be fine. Her calm demeanor tends to keep this tightly wired mama much more calm. So we met them. In classic Idaho weather, it stormed for 15 minutes and then the sun came out.

 

The kids had fun wading in the raft boat launch area. There were no floaters because the river is so high. I was not too worried until Bebe Sister kept wading, and wading...then she fell into the water. She tried to stand back up but there was an incline to the ramp and she fell back in. I watched to see what would happen. Then, she did not stand back up...At that point, I jumped into the water and grabbed her. I did not think anything of it until I realized that all of us were soaked and the outing had just begun. 

I'm sure I would have totally freaked out but my friend and her calm demeanor kept me cool as a cucumber. And Bebe Sister did not even cry except when I removed her from the 54 degree water. You can see from the photos below the ramp style. Ironically, everything on that girl was soaked except the flat diaper inside her Bummis super lite diaper cover.  (I'm telling you - love that diaper cover.)

No problem, I carry my emergency preparations kit in the back of the car - spare clothes and shoes for everyone. Not the most fashionable clothing but it gets the job done. So, away we went for jungle gym fun and our picnic lunch.

We had so much fun, we took T Rex Dad back the following night. This time because it was evening, there were other things to see - like this beaver. We were impressed by its size. There must be plenty to eat along this stretch of the river because it had another friend working across the river who was equally large.

The kids have been spying bugs lately. In fact, I am planning a separate posting on their bug adventures. This however, does not qualify as a bug so I'll post it here. We can only surmise it is some kind of hermit crab or something of the sort. Kind of creepy crawly but they were all over in the water along the banks.

Here our little bean is learning the fine art of watching the water and not jumping into the water. I will be so happy when her inhibition-development-part-of-the brain (that's technical term for it, I'm sure) is a little more developed. We'll keep working on it and being diligent so as she is always within arms reach. She's at that stage where we never know if she's going to dart into the street in front of cars or leap off  her chair. She thinks is all fun but boy it gets our hearts going. I remember from this stage with T Rex - it is exhausting. But, in the end so very, very worth it. 

T Rex Dad is on "stay-cation" for the next 10 days so more updates on our fun with him are forth coming. But in case they are delayed, know it is because we're having too much fun having him around and doing fun things at and/or near home.