Cousin Fun: Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History

When my nephew comes to visit, we try to think of fun, kid friendly activities we can go to. Because of my friend Ashley's recommendation (thanks, Ash!), we spent an afternoon at the Ft. Worth Science and History Museum. I've been to the Dallas one many times, but this was all new to me.

I loved how all my lovely boys matched ;)

This display was for retro/antique toys. I saw a Cabbage Patch doll and was quite offended. Kara, Greg, and Jarod (my dolls) would also feel the same.

I loved this giant Lite Brite. I kept examining it, looking for a way to recreate it.

Grant and Fletcher showing off their art they made with Daniel.
This is a dino footprint that apparently Fletcher thought was a hot tub.This was take before the 4D movie about the Barnett Shale. Enthused I'm sure.

Backyard Camping

For the past few months, my son has had this idea of camping in his head. We've built tons for tents and forts around the house. We've hunted bears and 'Daddys'. Then my son said something one day about roasting marshmallows. All these, I think, came from "Caillou" but I thought a backyard camp out would be something fun to do so that was on the agenda for this week. Of course, its been record heat lately, but the night we planned for the camp out just happened to be the PERFECT night weather wise. Not too hot, not too cold, not too windy, not rainy, not humid. Perfect. So that evening, we started out playing in the pool and while Daniel cooked out on the grill. We ate some yummy cheeseburgers and hot dogs. Then it was time for the real fun!

Fletcher and Grant started out cruising our campsite in the Jeep.

Some swinging and jumping was also on the agenda.

Daniel and I set up the tent we borrowed.

Daniel sat on some stickers. It was quite funny because he didn't even feel them because the ground was just damp enough from the morning rain.

Yes, it rained 2 inches the night before but the ground was just dry enough. We burned some wood and put the yellow pages to some actual use!

I laid out the sleeping bag for the boys. They are only pretending to rest!
This was more like wrestling than resting. The tent made a good 'ring' for it.

Its getting dark and the fire is finally going!

Grant was bird watching.

Bird watching on-the-go. No matter how many times I show Grant how to turn those binoculars around, he likes it better that way. Before the sun went completely went down, we all played Frisbee and football. The sun went down, the stars showed up and we began to roast marshmallows and make s'mores. Grant just wanted the marshmallows which wasn't bad...more chocolate for us!

Fletcher was covered in chocolate and MiMi in water. She got bit by a wasp earlier on her neck and had to keep ice on it.

They got stuffed on marshmallows.

The frogs got louder, the stars brighter, and we had some tired boys on our hands. We attempted ghost stories but we started getting pretty tired as well. We all slept in our own comfortable beds for the rest of the camp out.

All About My Parents

I have to say that I have the greatest parents in the world.Forget yours, mine are the best. Today, they are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary. Met in high school, survived a long distance relationship without cell phones or the internet, married, and raised three hooligans.

When I was young, I thought my Dad was a cowboy (probably because I had not idea what a human resources department was!). He always drove a truck, wore boots, took care of our cattle and carried a pistol when we went fishing. Doesn't that make you a cowboy? He works hard and I find it hard for him to slow down. His idol is J.R. Ewing. In fact, if we went out to eat the night "Dallas" came on, we had to make sure we were home in time to watch it. DVR would have been lovely back then. He likes history and knowing where he came from. He reminds us often that we are Germans and that I am the 'fraulein' of the bunch. In fact, I am quite sure my son learned the term 'farm hand' and the phrase, "Where's the trouble, partner?" from watching "The Rifleman" with my Dad. He is quiet at times, but humorous and knowledgable when you get to know him. He never seems to get lost (my Mom might disagree with me) and seems like a human GPS. Unfortunatley he just passed that trait to only my sister. From him, I got my blue eyes, chicken legs, height and nose. We both majored in business and went to graduate school. Thank you Daddy for being there for me when I need you and being supportive of my decisions. I love watching you be PawPaw.
My mom is pretty much my bff. I KNEW what she did growing up because she taught at the same school I attended. My Mom is friendly to everyone. It iss funny because when we go shopping, someone always asks for opinion on how they look in something. We decided she must have an honest face. Apparently she's the one that straightened my wild father out..haha. She is very smart and gifted in the math department. She helped me pass all my math classes. She helped me realize that I could be a great teacher and encourages me daily on being a good educator and example to my students. I get my creativity from her. All paintings in her home are done by her, her mother, or grandmother. My Mom is musically inclined and I love hearing her play the piano. Thanks for helping me with piano and flute lessons even though I can't remember much of both right now. From her I also get my voice (people think we are each other on the phone), skin type, and my good teeth. Some people say I look like her but I don't see it. I think I'm just a good mix of both. My Mom is a hands on Mom. She helped me win 1st place each year in the science fair, let me experiment in her kitchen baking goodies on the weekends, and took (and takes!) me shopping. And even though my husband doesn't believe me, we can go shopping all day and not buy a thing. Thank you Mom for always being there for me and supporting me. I love watching you be MiMi.
If I type any more, I'll cry. So...Happy Anniversary!

Potty Training Boot Camp, Lieutenants Log, Day 3

This is the last log of its kind. Our hard training has come to an end. The solider seems very knowledgable about the subject and takes care of his business without having to tell us. However, as a Lieutenant, I keep a strict eye on the solider and further training is needed, but not in such magnatude. We will exit the war zone with pride and use our rations only if needed.

I am proud of my solider and everything he accomplished this week. The General (Daddy) is glad to see the lightening of the load on trash and the budget :)

Boot Camp, Day 2

Potty Training Boot Camp, Lieutenant's Log, Day 2:

Troop pressed on with success in the horizon. Soldier has had no accidents in a day's span. Less laundry for Lieutenant. Tried the novalty of going outside. Solider was apprehensive and confused. 1800 hours, public enemy #2 made his presence but soldier quickly placed him in the correct holding pen, the potty. Major success for the troop. Rations were added (bugs, more cars) but troop is getting low. Must press on!

The Great Outdoors

Potty Training Boot Camp, Lieutenant's Log, Day 1:

The soldier seems reluctant and screams at the thought of changing undergarmets. Motivation is the key, especially the large jar of rations (ie-candy, cars, dinosaurs, bugs). Watching time is also part of success. 0700 hours, soldier awakens and seems more comfortable with the idea. Troop must press on.

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER!!

I just completed my 5th year of teaching. This is the first year I could honestly say I was ready for the students to move on. My students have been acting nothing but onry since state testing was over.

As you can see from the above paragraph, potty training boot camp has kicked in. That is priority #1 for this summer. Swimming lessons, time with family/friends, organizing, scrapbooking, sewing, and reading is also on the agenda for the summer months.

Daniel and I celebrated our 4th anniversary this year by taking a night off and going to The Hideaway Ranch in Glen Rose, TX. It is a working Longhorn Cattle Ranch with horseback riding, archery range, fishing, and hiking trails. Due to time constraints, didn't get to do the horseback riding we wanted, but enjoyed our time together.

I've lived in Texas all my life, and I've never noticed this type of crossing sign until we were out in cattle ranch area. I LOVE it!

Our view as we pulled into the property.
Our cabin.

View of living room.

What happens with John Wayne, stays with John Wayne. (sorry, couldn't resist!)

I woke up to this yummy breakfast my awesome husband made me!

Later that week, we went to visit family for a few days.On the way home, we took a detour to Terrell, TX to Ham's Orchard. We stopped and ate lunch and then picked blackberries. Its also a peach orchard, but you are not allowed to pick those.

Grant was excited to get going.


"I found the biggest one, Mommy!"



Helping Daddy.

Purple hands hath we.


After we finished the picking, we visited the 'gift shop' for some extraordinary soft serve strawberry and peach ice cream. Grant didn't waste time with his spoon.


We ended up with about 3/4 gallon of blueberries. Most of which were nice and fully ripe. So I had to figure out what to do with all this yummy goodness.



I decided on a blackberry cobbler. We already had some homemade vanilla Blue Bell ice cream on hand, and its always a good combo. I searched all my cookbooks for a decent cobbler recipe, one where I could do some lattice work. No such luck. So I turned to old Paula Deen. Can't go wrong with something that contains a stick of butter, can you? Surfing on the internet I go and a hour later...ta da! Not the most presentable thing, but so yummy!