Schlitterbahn

Here is another catch-up blog. We made our annual trip to Schlitterbahn a few weeks ago. This year we traveled with 8- yes 8- in our car! I tried to get pictures of how packed the car was, but they just don't do it justice. Most of our bags were under Preston and Elic's feet. You forget how much stuff you need when traveling with a baby- stroller, pack-n-play, bottles, formula (although we had our last formula bottle last week!), and baby food. We had all this in the car plus my cousins and niece and they're luggage, too. Let's just say I think they were extra glad when we finally arrived. Darren's best friend, Steve, and his daughter Natalie made the drive from Midland to come join in the craziness, I mean fun.
We stopped in Round Rock for dinner at good ol' Chili's.

You might be asking, "Where is Elic?"

Here he is, sporting his "I'm two" pout.
We stayed inside the "original" park and had a condo that consisted of two bedrooms, one bath (and yes 10 people in all shared that one bathroom) a living room and a kitchen. The first thing all the kids did was make sure the beds were in good working condition and they tested this out by jumping on them. Don't the colors and decorations just scream "I'm from the 70s"?
We spent our first full day at the original park. Sarah, Stacy, and Samantha were a big help with all the kids.

This might be Holden's favorite activity of all- chilling in the tube. If you haven't been to Schlitterbahn, they have special tubes for kids that have bottoms on them so they can actually sit down inside them and float all around. Holden's not walking, so he got tired of sittin' and splashin' real quick. This tube helped him enjoy more of the park rides. I wasn't able to get many pictures of the big rides, but I will say that Elic has no fear. And while his daddy might think this is cool, it scares his mommy. Elic was too little to try any rides last year, but this time he did rides that Preston wouldn't do and Preston has been here three years in a row. Darren said there was one ride where all three of them could race each other side-by-side and they were all ready to go when Preston jumped up and said he didn't want to do it. While Darren was talking to Preston, Elic just flew down the slide all by himself! He went on all the big tube rides like the Dragon Blaster and the Master Blaster. These rides use the new technology that sends you up the slides and then you wind your way back down. He loved everything and never seemed scared. Boy, I'm nervous about my teenage years with that one! I was able to get a few pics around the kiddy area:





It's become a tradition with us to eat one night in Gruene at the Gristmill- my favorite part of the whole trip! My dad and Carolyn joined us since the drive from San Antonio isn't too far.


The second day we visited the new park, which is split into two areas. This park has a great kids area and everyone's favorite, the lazy river. Holden would have stayed in the tube floating all day if we had let him. He even fell asleep in the tube because it was so relaxing.


We really had a great time being in the sun, eating good food, and making memories. I'm so glad that the girls joined us. Sarah is going to A&M (whoop!) in the fall and this is Samantha's senior year in high school (makes me cry) so we know they will be quite busy this year. The boys were in heaven to have the girls all to themselves for a full weekend!
Elic thought he was big man on campus getting to hang out with the older girls. Once again, another reason I think I'll have my hands full with him in his teenage years.
If anyone wants to join us the next time we go, let us know. Our motto has become "the more the merrier" - plus we need extra hands to help with our three-boy circus :)

Science Camp

Last week Preston attended the Little Engineers Science Camp put on by Club Scientific. It was really a neat camp- very well run! Each day he participated in lab experiments and then had a "toy makers workshop" where he made all different kinds of gadgets. Of course, they learned a new scientific principle to go along with each activity. I signed him up for the half-day program thinking that would be what he would want me to do, but after the first day he said, "Mommy, they said I can stay all day. Can I?" Darren and I talked it over and decided that would be a perk to have him go back next year and stay all day. Here are some of the projects he brought home:a marshmallow gun.
This has been a favorite around the house- even for us grownups. The principle they talked about with this was force- the harder you blow the faster the marshmallow comes out.
A rubber band ball. He made this all by himself! He didn't get to put all the bands on during class time but he insisted on finishing it in the car on the ride home. They discussed energy and how adding more bands gives the ball more energy.
Of course we just love to make it do crazy bounces all around the house.
They had paper airplane kits with special planes that do neat tricks like boom-a-rang and loop-to-loops.
And I remember this one- it's the pocket rocket! Just add water and a Alka-Seltzer tablet and watch the top blow off the film canister. So fun!
They talked about mirrors and magnification while making this telescope (which really works).
The main project which they worked on every day all week long had to do with a circuit board.
They used these cool snappable circuit kits and tried out all different kinds of experiments like voice activation and motion sensors. It's really exciting to watch him try out different ways to make a new circuit on this board.Although most of his time was spent watching experiments and making the toys, they did other fun activities as well. Everyday they had recess either outside or in the gym (Preston's favorite!) and they played a different "Minute to Win It" game every day where all the campers of every age competed against each other. Preston talked about the minute to win it every day and I could tell he thought it was so neat, but that he was too shy to try it. Well, when I went to pick him up on Thursday the director told me, "Preston did great on the minute to win it today." I couldn't believe it and he was so proud of himself. He had to use his mouth to pick up some coins and put them in a bucket. I wish I could have seen it. This whole experience was a great trial run at what is in store for all of us come this fall when Preston enters kindergarten. For Preston, he overcame a fear of going somewhere new where he didn't know one person. And for Elic, he survived four hours without his best friend. It was neat to watch Elic take on the role of "big kid" while Preston was gone and I can't wait to see what kind of relationship Elic and Holden will develop as they spend more time together, just the two of them. Overall, Science Camp exceeded all our expectations and we look forward to picking out next year's theme.

High Seas Expedition 2010

I'm a few weeks behind on blogging but trying to get caught up. I definitely wanted to post about vacation Bible school. The theme this year was a High Seas Expedition- exploring the treasures of God's word. I LOVED it! I loved the lessons, the crafts, the snacks and really liked the songs. The past few years I have served on the commitee and helped with the curriculum, but this year I signed up as a teacher. I had never rotated to all the different centers (music, snacks, crafts, and the missions room) and only the 4+ kids get to move around, so I opted to teach Preston's kindergarten class. We had a great group of kids. My co-teachers went overboard decorating and even brought in a 13 foot boat for the kids to sit in while we taught the lessons each day!
Preston loved learning all the motions to the songs. We play the cd at least once a day at the house and both boys love that they know the words. I love to hear their sweet voices singing praises to the Lord.
Everyday featured a fun snack for the kids to eat.
The snack room ladies even decorated with real goldfish- a BIG hit with all the kids.
I thought the crafts were so cute and very age appropriate. They made sailor hats, sand art necklaces, and treasure boxes to name a few.
The missions room focused on Scotland and on the first day we were treated to a performance of a real bag piper. He's played for the queen and even Ronald Regan! I loved his accent. FYI- Darren and I had a bag piper walk us down the aisle after we were married :)

I didn't see Elic's class that often. They were on a different schedule that included recess outside and centers in the room. He loved going each day and had really sweet teachers.
VBS ended with a carnival on Friday night. We were so happy that Darren and the grandparents could come see what all the kids had learned that week. After a BBQ dinner, we walked around to different stations set up in the foyer.
Sweet Ashlyn asked if Darren would compete against her in the donut eating contest. I think he let her win, but took it quite seriously.


Look at that action shot! Can you see the ball going through the top hoop?
Going along with the high seas theme was this water table ...
...which Holden loved! He cried when we took him away.


The last part of the night was a slide show of the week and a musical performance by the kids.

Where's Elic?

I was so proud that Preston participated in the singing- hand motions and all. Sometimes he gets shy in front of crowds.
The winner for favorite part of the night- the bounce houses!
I am so thankful to the directors and committee members who worked so hard (for months) to make this year's VBS such a success. Can't wait to see what the theme will be for next year!

Can you tell the difference?

Can you tell the difference between these two pictures?

That's right! Preston has a tooth! We went back to the dentist and had his partial re-made and it doesn't seem to bother him at all this time around. He laughs at me because all I do is tell him to smile at me just so I can see a full set of teeth. He just looks younger to me with all the teeth in place and since I'm already having trouble dealing with the fact that he'll be in kindergarten this fall, having a sweet, young-looking smile helps me hold on to my baby just a little bit longer!