Perot Science Museum

Michael took off a day while my mom was here, and we headed to the Perot Science Museum.  Again, we hadn't been since Olivia was 2, so it was like a whole new experience!

Working on patterns

Shopping at the farmer's market

We spent a good portion of the day there and saw everything there was to see.  A few things were over the kids head, but for the most part it was fun and interesting.  A lot of it reinforced things we had talked about in school too, so that was nice.

Without really planning on it, we basically had a Dallas museum staycation. :)

Dallas World Aquarium

My mom came and stayed with us for a week.  She treated us to an afternoon at the Dallas World Aquarium.  Olivia and I had been when she was a baby, but she doesn't remember, so it was basically a new experience for our family.

Apparently I didn't take that many pictures, but we did have fun!

Thanks mom!

Play Street Museum

We've been to the Play Street in Frisco and McKinney, so it got added to our summer bucket list.  A new one was just opening up in Allen, less than 10 minutes from our house!

We went during their first few weeks where you had to have a reservation.

Each Play Street has a different theme.  This one was transportation.

Of course they had a lot of the same things, like the arts and crafts table.

and besides the "Travel Agency" they also had a place for food and a home... because kids love play food and cleaning supplies!

Lots of buttons and switches--perfect for Logan!

After a long day of travel, Logan threw in a load of laundry!

Matching his letters

Since we went during the first few weeks with a reservation, we only had a 2 hour window.  We were busy the entire time.  The kids loved it!

We are actually going back again this afternoon to meet a group of friends.  I love these indoor opportunities during the blazing Texas summer.

Kids Bowl Free

We always sign up for the Kids Bowl Free summer program.

This year we made it a family event.  We were suppose to have a family get together with my friend Heather and her family.  Her husband had just started a new job and couldn't join us, so the rest of us just went for some Saturday morning bowling!

Both of my kids love Nadia!

Both of the kids have been bowling multiple times, but I think this was the first time that our entire family bowled together.

Olivia wasn't happy that I won the first game. ;)  She came in a close second, though.

We love our friends!

Summer Bucket List and other Fun

We worked on our summer bucket list during most of June and some of July.  We added a few other things in the mix too.

We grew some butterflies!  The kit came with our Kindgergarten curriculum, but we we hit the lesson sometime around February.  Obviously you can't grow them and let them go then, so we waited.

We got 5 caterpillars in the mail and 4 made it all the way through the process.  The kids (and Michael!) loved watching them grow and change.

Then we had to let them go!

We made some chocolate covered pretzels.

Which the kids loved, of course.

Our finished product

We did an experiment with eggs.  We put them in water, vinegar, soda, and orange juice and watched what happened over a period of a few days.  (The vinegar was the most interesting!  The shell disappeared, it got bigger and was rubbery.  We even bounced it until it splattered.)

We did a random lunch IN Chick-fil-a and played in the play place.  We rarely eat inside, because we all know how crazy the play place can get!

We attempted to ride scooters.  Although Olivia wants a little kid one like Logan's.

(Pay no attention to our dead grass.  We're working with Tru green and trying to get our landlord to help with a tree situation we have. Ugh.)

We made chocolate pudding pops.

Stir it up, stir it up!

We made strawberry lemonade ones another time too.

We watched water (and color) travel!

It was a fun centerpiece for a while.

More to come!

Obstacle Ninja Warriors

Our life group takes a break in the summer, but we try to do one fun family night a month.  In June we went to Obstacle Ninja Warriors.

There were 2 sides.  There was a section for 5 and under, and then a much more advanced side for kids 5 to adult.

So our family had to split up at first.  Logan and I went to the little kid side.

Michael and Olivia went to the other side.  I wasn't sure how much help she would need, and I knew Michael's strength would be a better help for her.

There were a few things she was intimidated by, but for the most part she loved it!!

Since Olivia had only been 6 for a few days, we eventually "snuck" her into the little kids side so we could all be together.

Logan was having a hilarious time with Miss Jessica

Both kids love it and can't wait to go back.

They actually have a homeschool class during the school year, so I think we will give that a try and see how it goes.  The big kid goes with the class, and then I can just pay an extra $5 for Logan to play in the little kid section.

We all went out to eat afterwards.  I tried to catch a picture of these cuties.  I said, "Say cheese!" and Logan responded with, "Ninjas don't cheese." Well alright then.

We love our life group!