Parker's First Ride on the "Big Giant Shamu Coaster"

Not only do the boys like the simulated roller coasters at Chuck E Cheese, they are pretty big fans of the real deal! Tristan has been riding the Shamu roller coaster at Sea World for some time now but Parker just recently reached the height requirement and he couldn't have been more excited about it!

Usually, Victor or I have to wait with him while the other one takes Tristan on the ride, and as a way to appease Parker for not getting to ride, we end up spending 5 or 10 dollars letting him play a game and win yet another Shamu stuffed animal (we have quite the collection), but not this time. And I think we were all excited about that!

And now a tleast once a week Parker says he wants to go to Sea World and ride the "big, giant Shamu coaster"! I'm looking forward to Sea World in October...cooler weather and more days open for Howl-O-Scream, and of course the "big giant Shamu coaster!

Daddy and Parker ready to ride!

Tristan also ready to go for a spin

The best "action" shot I could get with my little camera...darn delay!

Crashed on the way home...too much excitement

For Tristan too!

The Time Between the End of Summer and the Beginning of School

The end of summer around here officially comes when all the public schools go back in session because everything shuts down even though it's still blazing hot and my kids always have at least two weeks before they start their Mother's Day Out "school". So that leaves me looking for activities to keep us busy during that in-between time. Good thing we've had a bazillion birthday parties lately (10 within 5 weeks to be exact) that have helped me out in that area!

I only managed to remember my camera to one of the said birthday parties and I didn't get many pictures that weren't fuzzy since it was at a jumpy place and thekids were moving FAST down those slides! But, we've been entertained a jumpy places, the bowling alley (a few times), Kiddie Park, the Children's Museum, and the list goes on!






In addition to all the parties, we've hit up Chuck E Cheese to play LOTS of games. Oh and I have figured out the best (and cheapest) way to go there is to feed the kids BEFORE you go (so they actually eat and you avoid any noon time crowds), then just buy tokens (and maybe a drink for mom) and use the internet coupon for extra tokens. I can spend $15 and get a ton of tokens that last us a good 2 hours and usually still have some leftover for the next visit!

The kids love the simulated roller coasters, air hockey tables, basketball and really any other game there that involves, hitting, throwing, shooting something!

We've also visited our local Children's Museum quite a few times recently. I went ahead and renewed our season pass and am really glad I did. It's such a great place to take the kids for an hour or two, it's super clean and well maintained, and best of all it's air conditioned! Tristan and Parker always beeline for the train area and then usually head over to the space area...their two favorite spots, at least for the moment! Oh and the building section that has magnetic tiles gets a lot of use from my boys as well!

Fishing for Catfish

A few weeks ago we decided to take the kids fishing but wanted to go somewhere we'd actually catch some fish...we've taken the kids down to the park a few times but never had any luck there. After a little surfing on the internet I found a catfish fishing place in Canyon Lake, so we all hopped in the truck and headed out there.

And, we definitely caught some fish! There is no catch and release there, so if you catch it, it's yours and you're paying for it, by the pound! It was an expensive little outing but the kids had fun catching their fish, and I think Daddy and Mommy had fun too! There is a certain amount of excitement whent he reel tips down and you know you have one on the hook...reminded me a lot of the multiple fishing trips Victor and I made down to the coast pre-kids! Maybe one day we'll have a boat again and the whole family will make those weekend fishing trips, especially since Parker really seemed to enjoy the whole fishing experience!

Parker showing off the first catch of the day!

Watching Daddy get the stinky catfish bait ready!

Tristan waiting to catch his first fish

Still waiting

Tired of waiting so he posed for me

Taking a snack break

Showing that he's #1

Oh wait a minute, I think he thinks he's #1

Trying to cast it himself

Turning the reel

Reeling in a big one

Parker posing with his catch

And Tristan too

Daddy and Parker afterwards at Olive Garden

Tristan and Mommy