Summer Break: Week One

Summer is here!  We always look forward to the slower pace of summertime, though this summer is already starting off very differently than ever before.  

Here's a peek at some of what we did during our first week of summer break:

Henry had a double dose of art class and a makeup music class on Saturday. Isn't this piece cool?

With just 45 minutes between classes, we opted to get bubble tea and play Jenga at SmooTea, our favorite bubble tea spot in Houston.  (Henry and I always get almond tea but Will likes coconut -- half sweet for everyone!)

Our Jenga tower

and boom!

Gene baked baguettes for Will in advance of his 19-day trip to France! We made all his favorite foods before he left, including pizza, four-bean salad, and waffles. 

And then on Monday, Henry and I dropped Will off at the airport for an adventure of a lifetime! His French teacher takes a group of kids to France every other year and Will really wanted to go. We didn't sign him up at first because he is always reticent to spend the night away from home.  In April, we realized there were still spots available and Will was insistent that he wanted to go on the trip, so we signed him up and now he is halfway around the world. Will calls us every other day to report on his trip (mostly I hear about the food) and he always sounds so happy!  

Henry was ready for some one-on-one time without his brother, but he quickly realized how quiet things are when you're an only child, even for a short time. We have made lots of slime, played Rummikub countless times and have adventures planned, but he still misses Will.

Making glow-in-the-dark slime

and super fluffy slime (with shaving cream)

We made a slime breakfast for Dad -- sausage and eggs

Henry spent some time with Nana and Pop on Tuesday morning when I signed my contract and filed out paperwork for next year.  I even got my badge!

I also spent some time at my new library with the previous librarian. Here are some pics of my new space.

The boys' names are even on the column outside the library doors!

On Friday, Henry and I planned a grand adventure to Bellville and Brenham. We found Fredericksburg peaches on our way and of course, we had to stop and purchase a basketful. 

Henry's one request for an outing this summer was to go back to Newman's Castle in Bellville. We stopped at Newman's Bakery to get our tickets as well as coffee and a doughnut for later. 

Back at Newman's Castle!

Henry and Avalon, the resident Irish wolfhound

After our tour and lunch, we headed up the road to Brenham, where we stopped in at Bluebell.  

We both got ice cream (peach for me, triple chocolate for Henry)

but we were so full from lunch that we couldn't even finish our scoops.  

After a stop at The Barnhill House Toys and Books in Brenham and the Bellville Meat Market, we started our drive back to Houston. We stopped at Buc-ee's in Katy because it just isn't a Texas road trip without a visit to Buc-ee's!

We got home around 4 and both collapsed for a couple of hours before heading back out to the science museum for members' night events. The sculpture of the moon by Luke Jerran uses projection mapping to show the surface of the moon.

Summer 2019 feels a bit strange with only one kid at home (for now), but we're enjoying our break from school.

Summer Break: Week Two

Since we didn't get out and about a ton during our first week of summer break, we made an effort to do more on week 2. Beyond our usual library outings, here's a peek at some of what we did:

We finally visited Eveyln's Park in Bellaire to check out the new Alice in Wonderland sculpture by Bridgette Mongeon. It is huge and so fun!

Next, we visited the Water Wall, Designed in 1985, this 64-foot water wall spills water down both front and back sides. We'd never taken the time to visit before, but it was well worth a trip!

Henry's face says it all!

 

We also decided to finally visit our own local candy factory. Kegg's Candies has been making chocolate candies right here in Houston since 1946! The candy is actually really delicious.  

Kegg's candies offers a glimpse into their factory whenever they are open, but it turns out that the summer months are slow and there was no candy-making happening on the day we showed up. We were able to go back two days later to tag along on a group tour and actually see how the chocolates are made. 

 

Samples were a bonus!

The tour price included their homemade ice cream or Italian ice. 

The boys also took three days of cooking classes at Central Market during the week. They learned so much and got to eat everything they created. 

Henry has also been busy this summer with two art classes at a local art school. He is continuing with the Drawing Fundatmentals class he started in March and has added a Comic Creation class. Below is the beginning of his title page for his comic.  

On Friday night, my wonderful book club met at my house. We were supposed to meet at another friend's house, but her a/c was out, so everyone came over here instead. We've been meeting for a little over two years and I am so lucky to have found such a wonderful group of friends who love to talk about books just as much as I do! (We are actually a group of 10 but a lot of us were traveling this month.)

While book club was happening at our house, Gene was on a plane coming home from his 12-day trip to Singapore and Australia, so the boys were spending the evening at Nana and Pop's house. Nana and Pop snapped a few breakfast pictures to share with us.  

Gene made it back from his trip in time for Father's Day! We were all so excited to see him!

We spent the afternoon of Father's Day with Nana and Pop and all the cousins. What fun!

And finally, I'll leave you with a couple of photos of Ruby. Her monthly Bark Box came and it makes her so happy! 

This is Ruby's spot -- where she waits patiently for us to take her for a walk or give her pets. 

Now I'm off to see if we still have any of that Kegg's candy left or it the boys ate it all!