Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful to spend my days with these crazies....who all keep my life from ever getting dull!

Eisenhower SP part 2

 Quinn's grasshopper named "Crickety" (??) that she toted around all day.  We crafted a little bug box from my coffee cup and a ziplock.  I can't believe we left town without a real bug box!  Won't happen again.  ;)

 We did lots of bouldering.  I taught the kids some important basics like yelling "rock" if you kick one loose to warn others below....and keeping their tummy to the rock (they both wanted to turn sideways) and how to move laterally across a rock.  They both did great and made good progress as little climbers!

 Quinn kept wanting to get too far and too high, and since she wasn't on rope, I had to keep telling her to come back to where I could safely spot her.

 We found fossils everywhere!  So fun!!

 See the fossils?  I put my feet there for scale.  And we didn't necessarily plan to hike while in Dallas, so all I brought were my Tevas.  My feet got a bit muddy!

 Quinn's cave:

 The leaves were so.pretty.  Quinn found me this branch.

 Q also found a dead bee, and you know we had to tote that thing home.  Because she has a collection of them.

Such a beautiful, fun day, and I love my children just a little extra when they are climbing up rocks!  ;)

Pedi well check

We had a big week last week....lots on our agenda.

One of the big events was the kids' yearly well check.  Which I dread every year.  The loooong wait is never fun for anyone.  

Quinn, however, loved every minute of the process and happily soaked it all in....chatted up the nurses.....and watched everything they did with an eagle eye.  

She is smiling because she knew she wasn't getting any shots.  Just a nasal flu vaccine, which she took like an old pro because it's just like her allergy nasal spray.  

Her stats:

Height--3'12" (41%)

Weight-- 48 lbs (33%)

And this guy is not smiling because he knew he was getting shots.  He got 4 of them, 2 in each leg.  And he was not amused by the spiderman bandaids they gave him and has since decided he HATES spiderman.  He wouldn't take the bandaids off for several days because he was worried his shots would hurt more.  But he disliked the bandaids so much that he refused to look down at his legs because he didn't want to see them.  He's a silly kid.  He finally took them off on Saturday, 3 days after the shots.  And we happened to see someone dressed up as Spiderman at a park in OKC.  Beck was NOT amused.  Might I reinterage?  He HATES spiderman.  :)

His Stats:

Height--3'3" (10%)

Weight-- 30 lbs (4%)

He's still on the small side.

We survived another year of well checks.....And of course ended with the all-important task of choosing their stickers.  Beck did NOT choose the spidey one.  ;)

Around here.....

Getting gas is a big deal.  I always have a willing helper.

 Sticks?  Also a big.deal.

 We're harvesting satsumas!  Lots of em!

 And camelias!

 This guy outgrew last year's hiking boots, so he got two new pairs this fall!  Yep.  He has to have two.  One pair is always wet or muddy at all times, so a spare pair is essential!

Eisenhower State Park, part 1

On our Dallas trip I was totally low maintenance.  We had nothing planned, except the desire to hang out with my aunt and uncle as much as they were free.  Saturday they had some stuff going on, so Friday night in our Dallas hotel I started deciding what the kids and I would do while Matt was in class.  We have all been really needing to get out on some rocks and do some climbing, so ESP was just perfect!  A new Texas SP to add to our list....and rumors of some bouldering to be had.  So after breakfast, the kids and I headed toward the Oklahoma border onto Lake Texoma and to ESP.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  The drive was fabulous.  It started out as a dreary, drizzly gray day--the kind that only north Texas/Oklahoma can have.....I have missed that type of rainy day, so I enjoyed it on the drive.  About 30 minutes away from the park the sun came out and it turned into a gorgeous autumn day!  We drove the backroads through hills and hardwoods....and the state park was in full autumn swing.  Of course there was the great ole Oklahoma wind, which always catches my Houston wind-free babies off guard.  :)  Standing on the edge of a cliff over the lake in the wind was a bit frightening to them!  

We took our obligatory photo at the sign, and then headed off to find the desired climbing spots I'd read about online.  

The trails at the main climbing area were closed because of all the rain and flooding.  We looked out over the lake from the lookout, then loaded up to try to find one of the lesser spots.  Quinn was in the mood to take some photos this day, and I was happy to let her!!

 Beck even had a go at photographing, though he's pretty awful at it.  This one is decent, though!!

We drove around a bit looking for our spot, and ended up passing a bobcat headed into the woods!  So awesome!  I have never seen a bobcat that close before.  It looked like a large version of Beaux!

We headed down a hike--about a mile or so in--and came to a little cove.  There was wading and rock skipping and stick-finding and all sorts of great outdoor fun!  It was a beautiful spot and we were all pretty much in a state of bliss....soaking our feet in cold water and the rest of ourselves in warm sunshine.....

 So many lovely leaves to feast our eyes upon.....

 My boy goes crazy for rocks!!  Can you spot him??!

 You know I did.

 This one wanted to swim.  As in get fully soaked and swim out as far as she could.  It was 50-something degrees outside.  She has no concept of how cold wet clothes are in the wind.  Mama said no, and she was not happy.