Hermann Park Adventure

This week we joined some friends to explore Hermann Park in Houston. This giant park offers all the big city appeal, including no parking and plenty of free spirits roaming around aimlessly. I feel like I'm generally the type of person who is always aware of my surroundings, but put me inside of the city and my danger radar is on high alert. We stopped to play at one of the playgrounds and I quickly scanned every adult wondering which one was there to kidnap my children. I think I nearly crawled into the fetal position when all the kids started running in different directions as they were playing. Oddly, I don't get that same feeling of angst at any of the parks in my blissful bubble of suburbia. My devotion to crime television is likely to blame for my fear on that one. And as I always say, it's better to be paranoid than murdered. Actually, I've never said that before, but I think I'll start. 

note 1. It turns out all those adult creatures surrounding the playground were completely harmless. In reality we all had the same common goal of keeping track of our children. I even said "hi" to one and it said "hi" back. I think they could sense my unfamiliarity to this big city lifestyle. 

note 2. I would suck big time being a real resident of Houston. I would probably have to keep my kids on leashes, assuming we ever left our apartment. And yes, people residing in the city are only allowed to live in high-rise apartments. Don't argue.

note 3. Is my Idaho showing yet?

I will conclude that rambling session and continue writing about our afternoon now...

We had a wonderful time at the park. The weather was perfect. The kiddos rolled down giant grassy hills, found the best kinds of trees for climbing, visited the Japanese Garden, watched longingly as the paddle boats rowed by ---> begged to rent paddle boats ---> cried when denied, checked out some artsy fartsy statues and fountains, and played their little hearts out at the splash pad and playground. We also sat down for an exquisite picnic featuring ham and cheese sandwiches, only the finest for these kiddos. And I was so impressed that nobody ever complained about all the walking. 

I've drove in circles around Hermann Park several times before, but this was my first experience checking it out on foot. It was a really fun time! After we all wore ourselves out, we loaded up the car and returned home to the happy land of suburbia with a vehicle full of five tired kiddos. It was a calm drive home until Max announced he urgently needed to pee and unfortunately the bumper to bumper traffic made it impossible to exit in time. It was all down hill from there. Max may have earned himself the nickname Mr. Peebody, but a soiled car-seat wasn't enough to ruin our day!

Week In Review

For the past week or so playtime has been centered around being a full-time momma for Miss Lyla. Barbies have been put on the back burner and it's all about babies again around here. She is currently working on a chart that will earn her a 'Baby Alive' doll upon completion. That's the delightful little doll that poops, in case you didn't know. To say she is excited would be an understatement. And of course, Maxwell tags right along with the ongoing game of playing parents. I took them to the store earlier this week to spend a little money they received from one of their many admirers for Valentine's Day. Lyla immediately picked out a stroller for her babies and it was no surprise when Max picked out the same. It's been a riot watching them push those things around the neighborhood and whatnot. 

We had a family spa night. This included face masks for everyone, followed by a relaxing foot bath infused with soothing essential oils. Max removed the mask shortly after applying it, but everyone else waited the suggested dry time so we could peel it off like dead skin. That part was really entertaining for everyone. 

I took a video of Max at gymnastics. He was showing off his skills this week and it was so obvious how much he has improved since we started at Little Gym six months ago. The balance beam is not a big deal for him anymore, he practically runs across it. I'm grateful for our weekly visit to gymnastics. It really has boosted confidence in both Max & Lyla. I also uploaded a longer video to YouTube ---> see here <--- but it uploaded as a side view for some reason. Lame. 

We decorated Valentine's for a few lucky people in our lives. Lyla was cranking them out faster than a machine. I think she made about ten before she got bored, whereas Max only completed three before he excused himself from the activity. They were both very specific about who each Valentine was for. Lyla was able to choose a variety of people to deliver [or send] her Valentine's to because she made so many, but Max's first [and only] three choices were Dad, Jordan, & Kurt. The three best friends in his life. It was really funny because we attached a chocolate to each one and when I noticed Kurt's was suddenly missing I asked Max what happened to it. His cheeks were full as he said, "Kurt not like chocolate." Busted.

The phrase of the week [technically word, in this case] that I can't get enough of is Max saying "remember." Although I'm able to sneak fruit into popsicle molds, persuading Max to eat more fruit continues to be an ongoing battle in my brain. And even though I know he will most likely decline, I still try to offer fruit to him on a daily basis. His new response goes something like --- "me no like stah-beh-wee wee-mem-buh?" wee-mem-buh. Hahaha! The facial expression he pairs along with it is great. I love it so much.

My Name Is...

The Children's Museum has become one of our frequent daytime activities since moving to Texas. It's the perfect place for us to spend some time when the weather makes it difficult to play outside. I can remember taking Lyla there with just the two of us when she was still a wobbly walker. We couldn't spend more than five minutes in each station before she would wonder off to the next. And Maxwell started his museum adventures as a sleeping baby in a carrier and now he runs around like he owns the place. It is yet another example of how our dynamic has evolved and [for once] it isn't one I'm crying about. We have a lot of fun at the museum. They are at the prime age to enjoy all it has to offer!

The pictures below are from our most recent visit. I always enjoy watching Lyla as she makes friends wherever we go, whereas when she was younger it was nothing more than just playing alongside with other kids. This week I noticed she was connecting with a little girl very well as they bounced around from the grocery store to the fire station together. I've been talking to Lyla a lot lately about introducing herself and asking for a name upon meeting new friends. She's becoming quite familiar with that common exchange, but on that particular day as we were leaving she said "I didn't want to tell my new friend my name today." Puzzled, I asked her why. It totally was not what I was expecting when she said "because people always say why-wuh" --- which is because that is how Lyla pronounces her own name, including when she introduces herself to other people. Haha! It appeared her feelings were a combo of being bummed out and annoyed. It's a sad day when you don't want to share your name because you haven't quite mastered the 'L' sound yet. I almost feel guilty for still thinking it's so cute!

*Please note: This is our local Children's Museum and not the giant one located in Houston.