View from the Road: Mega Trip Part Five

This will be the last post about this vacation.  Period.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  It's the last day of summer vacation, for heaven's sake!

I left off on the 16th day.  Sad day, really.  We left Idaho and tried to make it to Colorado.  We were shooting for Denver, but knew that we wouldn't make it.  So we instead trained our sights on the Rocky Mountain National Park.  We got pretty close and ended up camping in the Arapaho National Forest.  It was probably the worst night of my life.  Troy's too.  We were surprised that we didn't freeze to death out there.  Our kids did fine throughout the night.  They snuggled together and enjoyed having the majority of the blankets we brought.  We adults, on the other hand, just shivered and chattered all night long.  My toes were burning they were so cold.  Try to sleep through that.  No, not happening.

But day 17 was much better.  We got into the park pretty early (since we were just dying, possibly literally, to get into our van and turn on the heat!) and started seeing the sights.  And here I will say one last time, if you haven't been to Rocky Mountain National Park, you should go.  This park, by far, had some of the most spectacular views!

We saw lots of wildlife at this park.

Here's a moose that I am proud to say I spotted 

Elk

Big horn sheep

This park is also known for a road that takes you up to the alpine tree line, where trees don't grow because it is the alpine tundra.  From this road, some 12,000 ft high, you can see whole mountains as well as the valley below and the expansive sky.  It gives you a dizzying feeling as you try to take it all in.  Like at an moment you would realize that you aren't standing on the ground anymore.  

Trying to catch up to Daddy

It was pretty cold out there

It was a stunning park.  One that I hope to visit again (provided that I follow my own advice and plan and prepare better).  But for our 17th day, we had other plans.  We planned to meet some friends for lunch in Denver.  They also graciously allowed us to spend the night with them.  And to boot we got a delicious, hot meal and a hot shower!  What blessings.  Unfortunately for you, I didn't take any photos.  Fortunately for me, I have wonderful memories.  

From Denver we headed to Albuquerque to visit my brother and his family.  We made it on day 18 and stayed until day 20.  Our time with them was too short, but we sure did  have a blast!  

Who's celebrating a birthday?!

Not any of them...

There he is!  The birthday boy, Johann!!

Cousin time!

Dishes time!

Girl time!

Hiking time!

This was a pretty fun hike!

For some...

and others!

Hoooowl!

When our time came to an end, on the 20th day, we packed our things and headed out bright and early.  We somehow managed to drive from Albuquerque to Houston in one straight shot with no one crying about being in the car too long!  Can you believe it?!  Well, you should because it happened.  

It was a great trip.  One that I will not do again for a long time or maybe even ever.  But hooray for no car trouble, no one pooping their pants, and very few meltdowns!  

Now off to bed because school starts tomorrow... squeeeee!

Dragging in June

Three days until Orry's birthday.  I can actually only say that for another 3 minutes.  Crikey.  Well, if you are wondering about our list, you can check on it here.  Not much as changed.  15 more things to do.  Too little time.

Here are some pictures of the most recent things we did:

The grandparents came for a visit

We picked blueberries with our friends

We played at a new exhibit at HMNS Sugarland

And we saw the Transit of Venus

That last event was quite a thrill.  The kids really enjoyed it.  Well, the ones that saw it did...

We've gotten off to a slow start in June.  Maybe it's the heat.  Maybe it's the fact that Troy is working this month and is gone from the house for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.  Whatever it is, we've got to shake it off and finish that list!  Here's to more motivation!!  Maybe we can squeeze at least one more thing in before Monday...

25 down, 35 to Go

Only 35 more fun things to do before Orry turns 6.  Only.  Ha!  There are only 34 days until his birthday.  So I guess that we are more or less on top of it.  I'm not even sure that Orry remembers that we are counting down, but we shall keep moving forward.

And now for a look back:

Making wooden models (a stealth plane)

Making cookies 

Zoobilee and the new exhibit Dinosaurs

Orry won his first game of Settlers of Catan

A trip to the Children's Museum

And now for what was probably the best thing we were blessed enough to be able to do:

Meeting more cousins!!

I have to show this picture because this one came next:

Oh Annie, so predictable...

We've done more things than I have pictures of.  For example, just yesterday Troy and Orry made smoothies.  I didn't get a picture, but let me paint for you a picture.  They made them with strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, and cooked broccoli.  (I know, I know.  But it shouldn't surprise you.  Troy is, after all, the "sardine-hiding-in-a-burrito" chef.)  Makes me want to puke just thinking about it.  I did taste them and next to stinky tofu, it was the only other food that made me want to barf.  Strange thing, Orry and Annie ate them without complaint... !!!  We were stunned.  I still want to barf.

As we keep going down the list (which you can find here), I think I'll take charge of the rest of the food related activities...

60 Fun Things To Do Before Orry Turns 6

Allow me to set the scene.  Orry asks if we can eat at 59 Diner again.  I say no, but to console him I give him the option of choosing where we eat for his birthday.  Now, this seemed like a pretty good deal to me.  But to Orry is was a question of how many days until his birthday.  Not doing the proper math I estimated that it would be a little more than 60 days.  60 days!!  To a 5, almost 6, year old, that's like forever.  He was sure it wasn't going to be any fun waiting for his birthday.  And so an idea was born.  60 fun things to do before he turns 6. (Unfortunately yesterday was the 60th day before his birthday.  Thankfully we've already crossed a couple of things off the list.)

HMNS

Sidewalk chalk-check...  Fun-double check

1. flying kites
2. going to the beach
3. going to the museum (HMNS)
4. going to the movies
5. finding a new park
6. swimming in a pool
7. taking a road trip
8. going fishing
9. going to the zoo
10. making homemade ice cream sundaes
11. riding bikes
12. watching the transit of Venus
13. sculpting with clay
14. going to the arboretum
15. going to the botanical gardens
16. Children's Museum
17. having company for dinner
18. sprinkler fun
19. making paper airplanes
20. waterballoon fun
21. have a dance party
22. make wooden models 
23. go to the library
24. make homemade smoothies
25. make hummus
26. Zoobilee
27. Parish Picnic on May 20th
28. tie dying shirts
29. music day
30. making a wreath
31. going camping
32. star gazing
33. making smores
34. Bat Fest
35. go to the Waterlife Museum (in Houma)
36. go to a wedding
37. drawing a mural (on paper)
38. sidewalk chalk fun
39. visit the new paleontology hall at HMNS
40. scavenger hunt
41. bake cookies (and eat them)
42. finger painting
43. building a fort out of sheets
44. play with cousins
45. celebrate Isaac's birthday
46. eat a meal with no cutlery
47. play frisbee
48. make rubberband airplanes
49. puzzle fun
50. LEGO day/go to the LEGO store
51. Aviation Museum (to see a P-40 Warhawk)
52. wash the van
53. snowcones!
54. blueberry picking
55. urban hiking
56. visit the Williams Tower
57. play board games
58. visit the comic shop
59. play hide and seek
60. go bowling

Whew!  That a lot of stuff once you look at it all written out.  On top of going to the museum and playing with chalk, we have also gone to the library, taken a road trip, and played with cousins (I'm sure some pictures will make it up soon).  Since we are in Houma, we will try to get to the Waterlife Museum.  We will  also probably knock off going to a wedding this weekend as well....

I hope you are all excited about the summertime and spending some extra time with your tots.  Let us know what you are up to lately!  We may need some new ideas if any (or all) of ours fall through.  (And to any Houston moms, if you are interested in tagging along for any of this, please let me know!  The more the merrier!!  And if you are not a mom, well, same applies to you as well.)

Lately and Recently

Lately we've been...

"Are you talking to me?"

• driving a rental car more than our "new" van.
• learning about the presidents of the USA.
• dealing with temper tantrums from hell.  
• watching some of the best movies of all time.
• listening to birds, day and night.
• reading The Story.
• drinking too much coffee.
• keeping up with our New Year's resolutions.

Recently we've...

• gone to the dollar theater to see Happy Feet 2.
• celebrated Troy's 34th birthday!
• added reactive airway disease to Isaac's list.
• scheduled a wisdom tooth extraction for my almost birthday.
• sorted all our LEGOs.
• started noticing new leaves growing on the trees. 

I hope you've all been busy in a good way.  More to come later!

The Terrific Twos

Merriam-Webster defines terrific as 1 a : very bad : frightful

That about sums up how I feel about my kids turning 2.  Every time it's been like a light switch.  As soon as they turn two, the tantrums start (or reach a culmination) and the flexing of the "independence muscle" begins.

This weekend, Annie turned two.  Yippee.  Let the good times roll.  Along with my eyes.

Now, terrific is also defined as 2 : extraordinary.

Now that sums up my general experience of being a mother to 3 terrific kids.  The past 5.5 years have been a blast.  We've had a lot of fun and we still have most of our hair (Well, I have all of mine.  Troy on the other hand...).  And we aren't done.  Not by a long shot.  Thinking about how extraordinary it is go through life this way puts a smile on my face.  Sometimes a crooked smile, but a smile nonetheless.

I think Merriam Webster saved the best definition for last.  3 : unusually fine : magnificent.

That perfectly sums up the last two years with my baby girl.  When I had my first boy, I was over the moon.  I didn't really want a girl.  Too much screaming over boy bands and too much drama.  I wanted a boy.  Seemed like they were low maintenance.  Then when we had our second boy, we were thrilled because we wanted brothers.  Life was good and I was still thinking that it wasn't necessary to have a girl.  But regardless of our wants or plans, we were blessed with our third child and it was a girl.  Yippee.  But what I didn't realize was how magnificent it would be to raise a little girl.  She's so much fun and so cute that I almost can't stand it.  Unusually fine, indeed.

So, Happy Birthday, baby cakes.  You bring me more joy than you could possible know.  You are one of the most terrific kiddos and we all love you lots!

Sending Our Love

My resolution this year was to write more handwritten letters.  I always get a giddy feeling when I receive handwritten letters and I wanted to pass that along.  After telling my idea to Troy, we decided to make it a family affair.  Every Sunday would be devoted to drawing pictures and writing letters that we would then send off to our friends and family.

Like many of my resolutions, I started with a bang and as the year has worn on my enthusiasm has fizzled.  But I am determined to keep this resolution alive.  So today I staged an intervention.  A card making intervention.

I gathered the supplies.  Card stock, glue sticks, paper scissors, a ruler, stickers, magazine cut outs, and crayons (to name a few).  And as a family we started creating some one of a kind cards to send out over the next few months.

There is a certain someone's birthday that is happening in a few days.  So for her, I made this one:

"We hope you have a "WHEEL-Y" happy birthday"

We are also expecting a new baby next month:

Annie made this one for you, little baby Boudreaux!

And we know a couple of kids that are having birthdays in October.  So the boys made these:

Two candles for a sweet little girl

And a special dinosaur joke for a handsome little man

Some undetermined, but still very special, person will get this gem:

Thinking of "mew"

Hopefully this activity will reignite that spark that we had only 8 months ago.  Hopefully we can finish mailing all our friends and family in the four short months that are left in this year.  Hopefully I can keep coming up witty phrases...  There are many more birthdays and holidays before the year is up!

Only Two Stars, But Lots of Yeses!

I've got too many blog ideas floating around in my head.  But today's topic is easy as cake.  Birthday cake.  That's right, another birthday in the Becker house!  Today is Orry's birthday!  Five years ago today, I became a mother.  And what a joy it has been.  So here's the run-down of our day.

We woke up late.  Yes!  Had chocolate chip pancakes.  Double yes!  Went to the Lego store to finish our birthday shopping.  Triple yes!  Bought a mini donut pan.  Super-duper quadruple yes!  No?  Just me?  Oh, well.  Maybe you'll change your mind when you have these.  Okay, okay.  Came home to have yummy tacos.  Definite quadruple yes!  Opened some presents.  Orry would give this one the biggest yes.  My wallet is crying.  But the best part of the day, in my humble opinion, was the fun family night at the HMNS.

First of all, it was a free family night.  Free in the sense that you don't have to buy a ticket to go, but the reason we get to go is because we already bought the membership.  I'm not complaining in anyway.  I've gotten the better deal out of the membership in my opinion.  But tonight they unveiled some plans for the new paleontology hall that will open in 2012.  We got to see the new Quetzalcoatlus fossil that will inhabit the new exhibit.  (If you have time to click on that link, be sure to check out where it was discovered.) We got to hear a great lecture from famous paleontologist Robert T. Bakker.  We also got to see some cool reptiles up close,  have some balloon swords made for us, eat free hot dogs and ice cream, and make a few dinosaur crafts.  It was a great time.  And did I mention it was free?

Making a wish

We came home with some sleeping tots, but hadn't even had our cake and candle celebration yet!  Isaac was impossible to wake up, so the celebrating when on without him.  Annie, although sick, stuck it out like a real trooper.  My chocolate cake only got "2 stars, but one of the stars was only half a star".  I'm not fired from the job, though.  Daddy got fired from making dinner ever again.  I think the "bean and rice tortilla with a fish hiding inside" from last week was what got him fired.  And rightly so.

And so begins our life with a five year old.  I can't believe that we'll be sending him to school soon!  But for now, we'll enjoy our summer with our big boy.  A summer spent wrestling his brother, helping his mommy, and firing his daddy from various jobs.  Not too many jobs, I hope.  He's really great at taking out the garbage!