FROG!

I am going to completely ignore the fact that school starts tomorrow and post this lovely picture of JD with the toad he found.  ACTUALLY - he didn't find it, Rosie did.  She just wanted to play with it but dogs and frogs don't mix.  JD rescued it from the claws of our killer puppy.  The toad showed its appreciation by hopping off into a hole. 

Great Wolf Lodge

We were lucky to be able to spend a few days at JD's favorite place - Great Wolf Lodge.

 Our Dallas vacation days always includes a meal with the knights of the round table at Medieval Times.  The falcon is always JD's favorite part of the show.  It is pretty impressive to think that you can train a bird to hunt.

 Legoland is another place that never gets old.  I thought for sure JD would think he was too big for this place but - NO - I think he just enjoyed it all the more.

In addition to swimming we played the Magiquest game.  JD had great success doing this last year with Marci and the cousins.  This year we tried the new Shadow Quest.  The game involves a "magic wand" with a computer chip in it and a series of clues that direct you around the hotel to "collect" various items.   We needed Marci's energetic stair climbing!  JD told me SEVERAL times that I didn't play the game nearly as well as she did.  To compensate for my lack of enthusiasm for runing up and down all those stairs I got JD this cute wizard outfit to wear while he quested.  We got hung up one afternoon and spent WAY TOO MUCH TIME searching for the slow blinking red crystal.  This clue stalled us for so long that we didn't finish our quest before it was time to check out and go home.  I guess that means we'll have to go back again next summer.  Marci - how about it?  Are you willing to be the Master Magi again?

Summer Continues

Summer is moving right along and I am getting lazy about posting what we are doing.  Trust me, JD and I are staying plenty busy.

 The whole family went to try out this old/new BBQ place just down the road from us.  Black's has been around in Lockhart forever, but moving small town BBQ into Austin has been the trend.  We found this place to be every bit as good as it's Lockhart namesake.

 Drama camp is one of JD's favorites.  The kids put on a little play at the end of their week at camp.  There were so many parents at the performance that the theater was packed.  JD is on stage there somewhere - it was cute - my picture just can't do it justice.

 We have had plenty of pool time. 

 We went on a field trip to Bass Pro Shops where JD tried out all the boats.  He gave this bass boat two thumbs up.

 Our night at the ball park in Round Rock ended with JD SORT of catching this foul ball.  He caught it with his head and the man beside us caught it with his HAND and then gave it to JD.  It's a good thing my little boy has a hard head.

 I've been to Economic Camp -- AKA Advanced Placement training.  We worked formulas and graphs until my brain hurt.  I've got lots of work to do before school starts.  I've been teaching Government for a VERY LONG time --- now it is time for this old dog to learn a few new tricks.

JD enjoyed soccer camp while I struggled with Economics.  I think he had significantly more fun than I did. 

Another Family Member

YES - I've lost my mind!  BUT - isn't she cute?  This is Rosie.  She is half red heeler and half australian shepard and 100% puppy full of energy.  We've had Rosie for about two weeks and we are working on getting her house broken.  She's learning fast but isn't perfect yet.  Maybe I need to change the name of my blog to Fun with JD and Lulu and Gumball and Rosie.  NAH - too long.

Summer Vacation Week 2

 JD and I have kept very busy this week with two trips to the Long Center.  This view from the front is where you find everyone taking pictures.  It's hard to resist on such a clear beautiful day.

 Our first trip was to see the Dinosaurs Zoo.  JD got to pick the nose of this triceritops before the show and then pet the baby afterword. 

 We were able to sit in the front row - SO - the dinosaurs got really close.  Even though you know they were puppets, when a T-Rex breaths in your face it feels a little scary. 

 I went (this time without JD) to go see Hillary Clinton speak.  YEA - I couldn't get a very good picture.  They wouldn't let you as close to her as we were able to get to the dinosaur puppets.  No jokes about Hillary being a dinosaur please!

 Thursday night was the beginning of nature nights at the Wildflower center.  It was fossil night and so JD got to learn from the Paleontological Society's exhibit.

There was also a brand new section of the Wildflower center that we hadn't seen before.  JD operated the pump so little ones could water the plants.

Basketball Camp

JD and Lincoln went to basketball camp this week.  Here is part of the morning show.  The head coach tries the half court backward shot until he makes it.  This week that happened on Wednesday and I happened to be filming.  The kids think it's great fun.

Some of my favorite people celebrating the end of the school year!