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...

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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...

Toy Story 3

Waiting in line for our tickets was the hardest part for Micah. I suppose he gets his patience gene from his equally impatient father. He fussed and squirmed in my arms, but we finally purchased my ticket. I was joyful that I wasn't forced to pay $7.50 for him too. Turns out that if he would "likely" sit in my lap, he doesn't need a ticket. Plus, I was concerned we would need to leave mid-movie because he wouldn't be able to sit still long enough to watch the whole movie.

We grabbed a coke for me at the concession stand and bobbled off to our seats. Talk about having my hands full. I had my purse on one shoulder overflowing with Micah's lovey (a small version of his blankey), sippie cup of ice water (Micah's new favorite drink), toddler bowl with spill-proof top filled with Fruit Loops, and all of my random stuff. My other arm supported Micah's back while he rode on my hip. My coke was in hand and somehow I had to figure out how to pick up one of those booster seats at the door. A kind man grabbed one for me and explained that he was all too familiar with my situation as he has 4 young boys at home. Thank you, kind man.

Whew, we made it to our seats just as the theater went black. From that moment on, Micah's eyes were fixed on the screen. I got him settled into his booster seat with his lovey across his lap, sippie between his legs, and his bowl on the arm rest. He didn't reach for anything until midway through the movie. He was loving it. Success! Towards the middle of the movie he turned to me and said "Mama" as he laid his hand on my forearm that was resting on the armrest. The look in his eyes said "Thanks, mom". My heart melted. The only other peep he made during the movie was during the climax as the characters were approaching the incenerator he said aloud, "Oh n-yo" in his sweet little boy voice.

He made it through the entire movie. No problems or fussing. And the picture above is the look on his face when it was all over. We even sat through a portion of the credits just to see bonus clips.

Last weekend while I was out doing some shopping I scoped out different stores to see which retail giant had the best deal on the Toy Story 3 toys. I thought it would be nice for Micah to have a toy to remember his first movie experience by. Ok, I know he'll probably never remember last Monday, but it was the sentimental thought on my part. So, anyway, to my surprise, the Disney Store in the mall had the best prices. All of the major characters were $15 a piece. My first guess was Target or Wal-Mart, but I was delightfully wrong. I was delighted because the Disney Store is only two stores down from the movie theater and made our shopping experience painless. I let him choose his toy and he took it to the register just like a big boy. Too bad getting him to put it in the bag to leave the mall didn't go as smoothly. We had a minor melt down in the mall, but we survived.

Since Monday night, Micah and Buzz, or Bu as Micah calls him, have been best friends. He even stopped carrying around his Lightning McQueen for a while. Big shocker!

Here are the two new pals Tuesday at lunch. Still inseperable.

I love Me and Micah Mondays!

Happy Father's Day

Catching Up

So, is anyone curious what we've been up to since all I've been blogging about is Costa Rica for that last couple weeks?

Well, Tom got the boat in the water for the first time. And it didn't sink. Success!

He still hasn't gotten anyone to look at the motor yet, but he's had some fun with it Joey Potter style.

Last Monday Micah and I spent the morning at the Dallas Arboretum. It was beautiful and HOT! The sun was scorching the earth at right about 100 degrees. I've heard they have a really great fall display as well. Maybe we'll make a return visit in October when it doesn't feel like a sauna outside.
[Micah has a serious obsession with cars lately. There's ALWAYS one in his hands. Always.]

Did I mention it was hot? Can you tell?

Also during the last week or so I've been doing a little painting. Micah's big boy room is now completely repainted [pictures soon] and we repainted the back wall of our living room. Again. Third times a charm. We like it. We really like it. [pictures soon too]



Saturday we took a family hike on the manicured trails at the Little Elm Park. We were expecting a real hike through the woods, but were surprised to find paved sidewalks crisscrossing through a few patches of trees and bushes. We made the best of it and wandered around for a half hour or so before the temperatures were almost unbearable.

For Father's Day we launched the boat on the lake bright and early for our maiden family voyage. Tom rowed us down the lake for a while and let the wind bring us back home while I sunned, Micah yelled at the birds, and Tom attempted to do some fishing. We enjoyed a bit of a lazy morning on the lake followed by a nice refreshing splash in the pool. Ahhhhh! I love summertime.

Also, our boat is still unnamed. We're taking suggestions.