Brazos Bend State Park

On Friday, March 11th (yes, on Alex's birthday) Addy had her 3rd grade field trip to Brazos Bend State Park.

The schedule for the day was to take the trail from the Nature Center to the George Observatory & have the kids participate in a space program. After that, we would have lunch & then take a hike around a lake.

So we get there & start waking towards the observatory. And what do we see on the way to the observatory?

A mommy alligator and all her little babies!

They were so cute! 

When we got to the George Observatory

Addy & her class participated in the Mission to the Moon Expedition Program. 

Addy was part of the medical team.

After that, we walked back over the Nature Center & ate lunch in the little amphitheater beside it. 

And then it was time for our hike. 

We took a trail called the Pilant Slough Trail. It took us through the woods and over a bridge 

& came out along Elm Lake.

When we got to the lake, we saw several alligators including this one that was actually on the trail (that we had to walk right by!!!)

and another one that was right off the trail. 

The trail was right about a mile long & Addy started getting tired towards the end of it.

So her sweet friends took turn giving her piggy back rides :)

When we were done with the hike, we went back to the Nature Center for a bit & Addy was able to pet this cute little baby alligator, which of course, was the highlight of her day!

This was not the first time that we had been to Brazos Bend, but it was definitely the most exciting time, what with being so CLOSE to so many alligators & all!

Spring Fun

Considering that it's already 2 weeks into summer, I figured I better get this blogpost finished.
We did lots of fun stuff this spring...

We played with sidewalk chalk.

Alex wrote these numbers

and these letters. Pretty impressive for a 3 year old I think!

And Addy wrote this... Arty Party!

We played in the sprinkler

and on the swinget.

We rode the baby roller coaster

and played soccer in the backyard.

Addy liked to be the goalie!

We worked puzzles

and played with cars.

We went to Chuck E. Cheese.

That's right, I beat the Flaming Finger AGAIN!

We blew bubbles.

and played with water balloons.

We ate ice cream cones... you've got to eat the bottom first!

We played in the rain

and jumped in muddy puddles.

And we rode bikes.

I just love hanging out with these 2 kiddos! They make for some really fun & interesting days!

Nature Walk

Last week Nick & I took the kids on a nature walk around the neighborhood.

I made up a picture chart for them to bring along & they checked off each item as we found it.

Heading out on our walk

Addy checking off her first find... Ducks in the pond

Alex needed a little help to check off his list.

Hurray for nature walks!

"Come on Mommy!"

My sweet girl

We found flowers.

We found rocks.

We found clovers.

We found leaves!

We found a bird & a tree!

We found dandelions (which weren't on our list but are lots of fun!)

We were almost home & still hadn't found a squirrel. Addy was not too happy about this. She's quite a perfectionist & had to have her list completed before we could go home.

Alex said he was "running out of walking power" so Nick carried him until his power was restored.

Once his power was restored, Alex & Addy ran along the fence dragging a stick. Daddy taught them this fun trick!

We made it home with everything checked off on our list. And even though we all had a great time, it'll probably be awhile before we go on another nature walk. It's already just way too hot in Texas!