4th of July

For the 4th of July, we got up early, packed the wagon, and headed to the pool. For an hour or so, we had the entire pool to ourselves.

Tom spent the afternoon working on his boat and the motor. I'm sad to say that the motor still isn't working properly, but I think Tom has finally caved and decided to let a professional look at it to see if it is salvageable. Micah and I spent the rest of the day loafing around the house, and I finally got my hydrangea in the ground. I found the perfect place for it right next to the door that leads from the garage to the backyard. I can see it from my kitchen nook window as I'm typing this :)

Our evening plans consisted of going to church and then watching the fireworks. We had a 360 view of fireworks. They were going off in every direction of our house. First, we walked down to the lake to watch a display right across the water and then we noticed that some of our neighbors were getting into the action. Then, we plopped right down on our driveway for an hour or so. Several people were shooting off a variety of flares. We even watched the kids next door set off roman candles and other sorts of small explosives. Maybe next year we'll be a little more festive and put on our own fireworks show.

As for Me and Micah Monday, it was more of a family day. Tom had the day off for the holiday, so Micah and I didn't make any special plans. Tom and I did manage to finish putting away all of the remaining items that needed to be moved from the garage to the attic and the random items in the spare bedroom to the attic as well. We gave the spare bedroom new purpose too. We have a twin bed set up on one side and all of Micah's toys on the other. We have a new playroom. Finally, I can start to reclaim my downstairs livingroom!

Paint

The third time's a charm! When we moved into this house the back wall of the living room and the wall behind the mantle were a deep burgundy color. Not my taste. I think red walls are just too dramatic. I need Pottery Barn-ish neutrals and earth tones with just a splash of color. So, the first thing we painted in the house were the burgundy walls. First, we tried a muted blue-ish green color called lyndhurst jade. Sadly, it made us feel like we were in a fish bowl or under the sea. Next, we went with a light, yet bold, green called ryegrass. I liked it. In small doses. Since it was somewhat of an Easter green we left it up through Easter while different family members came to visit. The Easter season came and went and our walls were green through the end of May. It grew on me so much that I left it over the mantle. For now at least. After two attempts at a bold color statement, I retreated to my neutrals. I chose a brown called Dapper Tan. I love it. Finally, success! I want to paint more of it around the house, but Tom is a little hesitant. I guess I'll wait a while before I start coating everything in paint again.

Micah's Big Boy Room

Choosing the paint color for Micah's room was a little less challenging. We went with Novella Blue to match his bedding. Now we just lack a night stand and chest of drawers, and then he can fully move into his new room. We've tried the bed one time during nap time. The side rails don't seem to keep him from climbing out of the bed to go find toys to play with. I have a feeling this transition will take some time.

-------------------------------------------

This morning I heard a wimper from Micah and then he started yelling, "stuck, stuck, stuck". This is what I found. Yes, I realize it is pretty dangerous for him to be climbing around these heavy pots, but the fact that his diaper got stuck was rather amusing. I'm working on a plan to secure the office doors so he can't venture in there unsupervised again, but I thought I would share a laugh with all of you.

The 28th Year

You know it's going to be a good birthday when your husband wakes you up and hands you a little green box.

...and inside the box were these!

As mentioned in a prior blog, when Tom asked me what I wanted for my birthday I told him I want to go to Sea World. He also asked if there was anything small he could get for me, and I suggested a pair of cheap, like $20 cheap, earrings to replace the cheap ones that I somehow lost during our move to Texas. I was not expecting anything like this, but I love them. I love you too, Tom. ...and these will never be left in the cup holder of the 4runner like the last pair.

Since my birthday fell on a Monday and I still wanted to do something fun and out of the ordinary with Micah, we drove down to the Frisco mall. At the mall we had one major stop on our agenda: Build-A-Bear Workshop. I know you are probably thinking this lady spoils the heck out of her kid. Buzz Lightyear last week and now a new stuffed animal. Well, maybe I do, but hear me out on this one. Way back when, before Micah was born, I went to Build-A-Bear to make Micah a teddy bear as my gift to him when he was born. Well, at the time I didn't know Micah's true birthday to enter into their system, so I listed mine. Little did I know that they would send me a gift card in the mail for a free animal for my birthday, and the gift card was only good for a 5 day period. So..., meet Dog. I know, unique name, huh. I asked him what he wanted to name him and all I got was "dog".

Tom was such a sweetie that night. He came home with more gifts. To be exact, he came home with my favortie semi-fast food, so I wouldn't have to cook along with a delicious cookie cake. Yum!

Happy Birthday to me!

Birthdacation Part 4 (The End)

While we were in Costa Rica, I flipped through my June issue of Southern Living and came across an article about the Hamilton Pool Preserve in the Texas Hill Country. I thought that if we do make it down to San Antonio it would be a great place to stop on the way. Well, we didn't stop on the way down to San Antonio, but it did make a great way to break up the drive on the way home.

The picture in the magazine (pg.9) doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful and the water was refreshingly cool. I shot a video to show you the panoramic view of the place.

Hamilton Pool Preserve

There are a few things to note about this place that the article fails to mention in case you are interested in making the stop yourself, which I highly recommend. The pool is open from 9am to 6pm when the bacteria levels are minimal. Apparently, there are birds that poop in the pool during the very beginning of the summer and contaminate the water. Call ahead to see if the park is open: 512-264-2740. It is $10 per vehicle to park, and when the parking lot is full, it is one car in and one car out. We waited almost an hour after driving 30 minutes out of our way to get there---still worth the wait. Finally, it is off the beaten path, so takes some water friendly shoes that can manage the rocks and other rough terrain for a quarter mile hike. Oh, and leave the stroller in the car. You'll never make it up and down all of the stairs.

This was how 90 percent of the trail looked. Just beautiful!

We had a grand old time at the natural pool. Micah did not want to leave the pool to get back in the car seat. If we're ever back in the Texas Hill Country this uniquely southern spot will be one of our summer stops. Thanks, Southern Living!

Birthdacation Part 3

On Friday the Azul show was canceled due to the anticipated birth of a baby beluga whale. On Saturday we got to see that big baby beluga whale. By the way, the average gestation period for a beluga whale is 14-15 months.

Baby Beluga

Dolphin Feeding

Micah's First Ride

Next, we were off to Shamu's Splash Park to cool off. Ahhhhhh!

Then, we had some dinner and played on the grass for a while before the final Shamu show for the evening. We get a little silly sometimes...

Birthdacation Part 2

...As soon as the Believe show was over, Micah passed out. He did really well for staying up 2 hour passed his regular nap time to see Shamu.

While Micah napped, Tom and I strolled around the park checking out the cooler exhibits to help the little man sleep a little more soundly without sweating to death. First, we stopped at the dolphin feeding tank. We opted to just watch. We wanted to save the fun and excitment for when the little man was awake. Next, we found an air conditioned spot with perfectly placed benches and a view of sting rays. And, we showed up just in time to watch the last feeding of the day. Below is a scuba diver hand feeding those deadly things. By the way, she was speaking to the crowd through a microphone in her mask. I thought that was pretty cool.

Just shy of the end of the sting ray feeding Micah was wide awake and less than thrilled to still be in his stroller. We decided to call it a day and made our way back to the hotel to rest up before dinner.

The riverwalk was a short walk (2 blocks) from our hotel. We had dinner at this terrific little Mexican restaurant right on the riverwalk and enjoyed a nice evening stroll around the town.

San Antonio Children's Museum


Saturday morning we decided to visit the San Antonio Children's Museum. The museum was only a few blocks away from our hotel in the downtown area which made it a convenient activity to spend some quality time with Micah, but most importantly it was an activity in air conditioning.

Boy in a Bubble

Pint-sized Grocery Store

Air Ball

Texas-sized Lite-Brite

Western Grocery Store

After our visit to the museum, we went back to the hotel so Micah could get a good nap before we made our return visit to Sea World. Tom was a very generous husband and father and volunteered to stay with Micah while he napped so I could go lay out by the pool and relax for a while. Thanks, Tom.

To be continued...

-----------------------------------------

NOTE: To all of our Illinois readers, we will be in Illinois July 8th thru July 11th. We hope to see as many of you as we can!

Birthdacation

Over a month ago when Tom asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said I wanted to go see Shamu at Sea World. I've done Six Flags, Disney World, Universal Studios, and even Dollywood. I'd never been to Sea World though.

So.....Thursday afternoon we set out on our road trip to San Antonio for a long weekend to celebrate my last weekend as a 27 year old and my 28th birthday.

Friday morning when we finally made it through the line at the gate to Sea World, our first stop was at....drum roll, please....the playground. Knowing that we have a 21 month old to keep up with, we knew we weren't going to be able to do any of the rides. So, we tried to plan our day around all of the different shows. The first show on our agenda was the ski show and we had 30 minutes to waste before the show, so we let Micah burn off some energy at the playground.

Cool Vibrations Ski Show Clip

After the ski show we ran over to the seal, sea lion, and otter show.

Next we walked back across the park to see the Shamu Show: Believe

That's not all, but that's all for now. Afterall, it is my birthday today. I'll be back with more posts through the week. You'll be surprised what we crammed into 3 days...