Diving & Sliding

Guess what we did today...

Movie Crew

This is the last week of the dollar matinees for kids.  I called Miss Emily & Miss Tiffany to see if they'd like to meet us.  We saw Yogi Bear.  The best part was that we were a row of blondes.  I'm sure that looks a little funny.  When it was over, we wanted to get a picture of Kara and Lexi since they are both missing the same top tooth.  I pulled out the camera & took lots of pictures.  

Testimony Meeting

On the first Sunday of the month, the LDS church has a Fast & Testimony Meeting.  The members of the congregation get up and talk.  I guess it is a little like open mic night.  As we were sitting there listening, Lexi turned to me and asked if we were allowed to get up and talk.  I said sure.  She asked if she could.  I said sure and told her to think about what she wanted to say.

I realized that I should give her a few instructions.  I told her that we usually start with, "I'd like to bear my testimony..."  At the end we say, "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."  She asked if everyone would be able to see her.  I assured her that all of the podiums have a step you can stand on if you need it.  They are also raised & lowered depending on your height.  I told her she could go up when the person speaking sits down.  A man beat her to it though, so I said she can also go up and sit on the stage so she'll be next.  That is what she wanted to do.

Lexi sat up there so calmly.  Then she got up and the bishop helped her pull out the step.  He also adjusted the mic. She did a wonderful little job.  She talked about loving me and being thankful for her Primary teacher.  She was also glad that we are back from California.  Then she came and sat down.  Everyone was so proud, especially since kids don't do it very often.  I was amazed at how calm she was.  We have a HUGE congregation.  There are about 350 people every Sunday.  I'm glad she is so confident.

Water Park Pictures

We are definitely back in Texas, which means lots of time at the pools/water parks.  It is a great activity for the heat.  Jordan and Lexi spend the whole time we were there either going off of the diving boards or down the slides.  It is strange for me to just monitor my kids.  Last year, I had to actively participate since Jordan couldn't swim.  Now, they play and do it all by themselves.  I sit by the slides then by the diving boards.  I'm glad they are having fun and enjoying each other.  

Picnic Salads

The other day, we went out to the farmer's market.  It is a bit of a drive, so we don't go very often.  In fact, it was Lexi's first time.  On the way back, we stopped at IKEA.  I didn't really have anything in mind that I needed, but I just wanted to let the kids play in their supervised playroom for an hour.  That place is great for me & the kids.  I wish it was closer.  As I was walking around, I found these great glass jars for about $2 each.  I have been seeing a lot of recipes for salads in a jar.  Supposedly, they stay fresh for about a week as long as the dressing is away from the stuff the wilts easily (like lettuce).  When I showed the kids, they kept asking me the different ways we could use it.  Ideally, I'd like to send them for their lunches.  I won't though.  Kids & glass don't mix.  Also, I am pretty sure that they wouldn't each much of their salads.  They like them, but still need encouragement.  I mentioned a lot of things we could use these for, but when I said for picnics that is what they wanted to hear.    

Today, Jordan decided that we were going to go on a picnic.  He talked about it all day.  When a kid gets excited about eating this healthy, you have to encourage it.  I made salads for each of us and off we went.   When we were pulling up to the park, I realized that being outside during Houston's summer is crazy (even at 5pm).  It wasn't bad at all.  Thankfully, we are having a decent summer and we picked a park that has lots of shade.   

Here is a picture of Lexi pouting because Jordan bit into a cherry tomato & squirted her:

Back in Texas

We spent yesterday recovering and doing a little grocery shopping.  Today, we knew that we had to hit one of the water parks.  We chose the Lake House.  The kids seemed to love it more than ever.  It is nice to get a break and come back.  

At the Airport

Yesterday, we made the trip home.  In the morning, we went to a funeral. It was for a single mom from church, who died of cancer.  She has four children.  The oldest is in high school.  It was very sad.  Fortunately, she was one of 14 kids and has lots of wonderful family members to take care of them even though it isn't the same.  I felt so sad for her kids.

My mom took us to the airport where we said our good byes.  I am so glad that the kids are old enough to help with their bags.  Traveling when they were younger was much more difficult.  Because my mom has booster seats, we didn't have to drag those either.  The kids even did well on the plane.  We got in late and had to take the shuttle to the park & ride.  Everything went smoothly, but we didn't get home to almost midnight.  

Zoo Groupie

Of course, we went back to the zoo today.  Yesterday, we mentioned that we hadn't gone on the double-decker bus tour or the sky rail.  I thought we should come back & do those.  

Lexi wanted to make sure she got to do the hula hoop contest again too.  She always makes it down to the final few.  When they get to that point, they start having the kids do tricks to make it more difficult.  They walk in a big circle, use jazz hands, do the sprinkler, jump, kneel, and use two hoops.  

The hula hoop contest is next to and ends right before Steam Powered Giraffe's set.  We watched one for the last time and then left.  

SPG at the Zoo

This summer, Steam Powered Giraffe has a contract with the San Diego zoo to perform 70 days in a row.  Their first set starts at 4:40 and lasts 20 minutes.  They have more sets at 5:40, 6:40 and 7:40pm.  They have quite a few fanatic fans, so they pretty much try to disappear and find their down time during the breaks.  My mom wanted us to meet Paige's boyfriend, so she invited him to lunch today.  We had a chance to see and talk to him when he was not in his Rabbit character.  

Once it was over, we decided to head to the zoo too.  We saw quite a few animals and Lexi got a picture with Sam, who is SPG's drummer.  It seems like we are turning into groupies, right?  Well, our trip is almost over.  

Aunt Paige at the Zoo

Last night, we went to the zoo to hang out with Aunt Paige.  Lexi did the hula hoop contest, we saw quite a few animals, and of course, we caught a couple of Steam Powered Giraffe's sets.  We even stayed late enough to "meet the band" and take a photo with Rabbit.  

The Cove

Our time in California is running out.  There are quite a few places that we wanted to go, but will not get to.  The Cove was one of the places that we couldn't miss.  We took the opportunity to go there today.  As always, we took an incredible amount of pictures.