Houston Children's Museum

 

Grandma gave us the gift of a trip to the Houston Children's Museum.  It was amazing!  So much to see and do.  I think one could easily spend all the day there, especially with 3 kiddos who are interested in different things.

 

Ezra climbed horizontally all the way around the rock wall.

 

 

Jonas sliding down the pole at the end of an obstacle course.

 

Jonas and Judith reviving a patient in an ambulance.

 

Jonas in the check out line at the market.

 

Ezra working the seafood counter at the market.  "Two crabs, please."

 

Jonas listening to the heartbeat of a puppy dog.

 

Judith playing vet.

 

Jonas and Ezra as meteorologists. 

 

Ezra reporting live from downtown.

 

Judith, Ezra, and Nana working on a puzzle thing.

 

Jonas created a balloon that successfully made it to the top of the wind tunnel.  He was so proud.

 

Jonas in front of the Water Works on the roof.

 

Jonas and Ezra fish the bayou.

 

I loved this giant robot made entirely of old phones.

 

Jonas behind the wheel.  Yikes!

 

Bicycle race!

 

Jonas working at a package shipping place.

 

Ezra driving a law enforcement vehicle.  Eek!

 

Photo booth at the end of a stimulating and educational afternoon.

 

Thanks Grandma!

 

 

 

 

Blue Bell Creamery

So very behind on blogs...

 

Since we're living in Texas for 6 months, I really wanted to expose the kids to a beloved Texas tradition:  a tour of the Blue Bell Ice Cream Creamery. 

 

I knew they'd be thrilled about the free ice cream at the end, but they were VERY interested in the factory part too.  Bonus!

 

 

Love this picture of Judith enjoying her Birthday Cake flavor of ice cream.  What do you think?  Could she be the new face of Blue Bell?  :)

 

Nana and Ezra.

 

Cousin Judy lives in Houston now, so we invited her to come along.  As we suspected, she was not one to turn down Blue Bell.   

I haven't seen a Blue Bell commercial in a very long time, but I can still sing most of the jingle. 

 

I was very impressed with the factory and grounds.  Everything was so clean and manicured.  Plus, they gave us a FREE tour as a military discount!

Disney: Magic Kingdom Day 2

We began Day 2 at the Magic Kingdom by securing Fast Passes to see Mickey and the Princesses.  Here's Nana and Judith with Goofy on Main Street.

 

 

Then we set out to explore Swiss Family Robinson's Island Treehouse.  Next, was a ride on the Magic Carpets.  We were surprised when Aladdin and Jasmine hopped on the ride at the last minute!  They were just a few carpets in front of Judith and Nana.

 

 

 

As soon as the ride was finished, we followed Aladdin and Jasmine over to their meet and greet area.

 

 

Then we went on the Jungle Cruise and headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean which was one of the highlights in Jonas' Disney experience. 

 

 

Jonas giving me a pirate eye and finger hook. 

 

 

This is blurry, but it makes me smile:  the boys giving me their best pirate faces.

 

 

 

Jonas spent some of his Disney money here on some Pirate Mickey ears and a sword.  Happy boy.

 

 

After that, we headed back over to Main Street to meet Mickey and the Princesses. 

 

 

 

 

Judith meeting Cinderella. 

 

 

 

I know this is probably characteristically "Disney" (and such it should be!), but we thought they were all just so sweet.  Each of them talked to Judith for a quality couple of minutes. 

 

 

 

Judith with Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).

 

 

 

 

 

Judith and Rapunzel.

 

 

 

 

 We headed home for lunch after we met the princesses.  When we came back later in the afternoon, Judith and Nana rode Dumbo (for the 2nd and 3rd time),

and Mike and I took the boys on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Railroad (twice--Ezra loved it!).  The picture below is from Splash Mountain...he didn't love that one...but Jonas did!

 

Thus concludes the pictures of our trip to Disney World.  It was a blast!

Disney: Magic Kingdom-Day 1

We saved the last 2 days for the Magic Kingdom!  Judith had her Tinkerbell costume on.

 

 

Our first stop was the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. 

 

There wasn't a full theater so both Judith and Ezra got some screen time!  Mike's nephew (he was in training and practicing his jokes) asked Judith to make a scary monster face.  She did and he loved it.  :)

 

Then he asked Ezra his name and what grade he was in ("I just finished Kindergarten.")  Mike's nephew made a joke about his buddy who said Kindergarten was the best 3 years of his life (ha, ha), but Ezra didn't really get it.  He did a great job talking to the screen though! 

We went next door to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.  Here's Dad and Jonas.

 



 

This picture was taken by the ride.  Judith is just concerned with the knob that spins their seats around, but Mom is all business!  LOL

 

The kids also really loved the People Mover in Tomorrow land and Ezra kept saying that was his favorite section of the park.

 

Everyone (except me) rode the Intergalactic spin ride.  Then we went to the castle to see a show and parade/dance party.

 

Mike and the kids rode the teacups.  Mike neglected to show them how to spin their individual cup.  I can't imagine why...

 

Video from the teacups.

 

 

 

 

The drivers for the speedway were Ezra (with Mom), Jonas (with Mike), and me (with Judith).  It was decided that Jonas was by far the best driver of the three of us.  I could not get a handle on my car.  Judith kept saying, "Mom, quit hitting the middle part!"  Ha!  We were in front of Mike and Jonas and Mike thought Judith was driving.  Jonas however, only hit the middle like once!  What a show off!

 

Judith's favorite Disney ride was Dumbo!

 

After lunch at the hotel, we rode Goofy's Barnstormer.  That was the first "coaster" that Judith could actually ride.  She was SO excited!

 

Then we did Ariel's Grotto.  Loved it!

 

Ezra (our geographically inclined child) loved It's a Small World.  He knew a lot of the countries and was asking so many questions.

 

Who doesn't love a carousel?

 

We loved Mickey's Philharmagic and Peter Pan's Flight.  Our last ride before supper was Winnie the Pooh.

 

Video from the Electric Parade.

 

 

That was it for Day 1 at the Magic Kingdom!