Winter Break

While the days leading up to Christmas were hectic and full, we finally had some down time after the holiday itself.  On Friday, we went to iPic to see Jumanji, 2, which was our big Santa present this year. Experiences are great gifts, and iPic is a fantastic way to see a movie.

Monday was a gorgeous day with bright blue skies, so we headed west to Stephen F. Austin State Park. We had a full car:  the four of us, Gramma and Grampa, and Ruby!

Stephen F. Austin State Park is one of our favorites.  It's less than an hour from Houston and is full of cardinals and other birds in the winter.  

We hiked about 2 miles and then enjoyed our picnic lunch before visiting the new museum at San Felipe de Austin Historic Site. When we arrived, Ruby thought the sculpture dog was real and barked like crazy until we dragged her over to have a sniff.  It was quite amusing!

The museum is really well done, with artifacts like this original 1834 log cabin, as well as interactive, multi-media displays. 

Outside the park are some short trails through the original lots of land given to the first colonists.  

The museum is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.  

On New Year's Eve, Henry and I decided to head to the zoo, and Gramma and Grampa joined us for our morning adventure. 

We arrived at the zoo ten minutes before opening so wandered around the lake, looking at the ducks and getting chased by an angry goose.

At the zoo, we toured the new wetlands exhibit, where we saw the bald eagle and the whooping cranes.  

Almost as tall as a crane!

It was a beautiful day and the zoo was not very crowded at 9am.  

The male tiger was out

and the lions were receiving enrichment (bones were thrown in the water, so we actually saw the lions active and in the water, which is unusual).  

We even saw all three gorilla groups: the bachelors, the family group, and the three new young boys.

Henry, the gorilla, is 9 years old and is part of the new group of young males.  

Bobbie is the new baby giraffe, born in October.  

The zoo was absolutely delightful and we all had a wonderful time.  

By 10:20, we were all tired, so we headed over to the train to ride it around Hermann Park. Henry and I enjoyed lunch with Gramma and Grampa to end our morning outing.

On New Year's Eve, we went to the annual family party that we attend every year. It was as loud and fun as always. We ate and talked, the boys played, and this year, I saw many students from my school. Will was the dog whisperer and had these two snoozing on his lap. 

2019 was a busy, busy year for us in all sorts of good ways. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store in 2020!

Winter Break, Part Two

Winter break (week three) is over and everyone is back at school! It was a long winter break, but it was really fun to spend time together as a family and also have one-on-one time with each of my boys. Here's a peek at some of what we were up to during the second part of winter break!

2017 ended with a splash, literally! We were all at our friends' annual NYE party when Will burst in and told us that Henry had fallen in the pool. Will loves to tell jokes about this kind of thing, so we weren't sure if we could believe him -- until we went outside in the 40 degree weather to find a sopping wet Henry. We borrowed some clothes and came right home -- it was 9:30 anyway, and we don't like to stay out late on New Year's Eve.  

Sad Henry with a bundle of wet clothes

New Year's Day candy making 

after the all-morning long brew session

Thanks for the candy chemistry kit, Gramma and Grampa!

We sent Will back to school last Tuesday, and Henry and I met Gramma and Grampa for a visit to the science museum. I knew Grampa would love the "Trains Over Texas" exhibit!

Grampa's model trains at home (he set up them for the boys for Christmas)

After lunch, Henry and Grampa played Scrabble. It was a tough game, but Grampa won (always!).

That night, we had more snow in Houston! 

It was really a tiny amount, but Henry went out (in his bare feet) and gathered every bit he could. 

Snow 2018 (this is very likely every bit that fell in the backyard!)

Wednesday was a boring, errand-running day. We went to two libraries, got Henry new sneakers, bought sushi for lunch, and shopped at Pottery Barn. Henry is actually quite the shopper and helped me find some new decor:

We are trying to spruce up the house! There are some little areas that have been bugging me -- the pillows on the love seat, the bookcases -- so I am trying to find things I like and make the whole place look more pulled together. It is definitely an ongoing process!

On Thursday, Henry and I joined Gramma and Grampa at the MFAH. The exhibit HOME -- So Different, So Appealing features art by Latino and Latin American artists who explore what home means, especially in relation to immigration, poverty, and politics. It was absolutely fascinating!

Back at Gramma and Grampa's house, Henry helped Gramma make some cookies. 

One of Henry's biggest requests of the week was to head down to Brazos Bend State Park. This is truly his happy place!

It was so cold at the beginning of the week, so we pushed our visit to Friday, which ended up being a gorgeous, partly sunny day in the 50s. The park was so quiet (except for the many birds) and peaceful and we honestly had the best time together! We hiked nearly four miles on three different trails and it was just delightful.

Elm Lake Loop

Horseshoe Lake Loop

Creekfield Lake Trail 

I hope your 2018 is off to a wonderful start!