A Quick Spring Break Re-Cap

Ok friends, lesson learned!  7 days of non-stop fun = one tired momma!

I am so pooped and coming down with a cold, but I would not change a thing from last week - everything was perfect - the weather in the mid 70's, each day went off without a hitch, even Bubba was on his best behavior (most of the time).  And we had what we will remember as one of the best Spring Breaks ever.

I sorted through 1200 photos that I took (remember, I will be blogging about all these places we went to over at R We There Yet Mom?. ) and narrowed it down to these few to give you a glimpse of our week.  I'll tell you more about the fun days we had when I can catch my breath! For now,  here is a tiny recap.

 Day One: SeaWorld San Antonio - we haven't been in years, so Matt took the day off and down we went.  The shows are even better than I remember.  The rides are very fun with relatively little wait time - here is Bubba on his first ride of the day!

 Matt & Bubba playing around - he was so good as we waited for the shows and waited for food and waited for rides.  Yes, we and what felt like the entire state of Texas was there that day.  It was crazy busy, but it didn't bother us.

 Day Two: Hike a local spot here in Austin - Mt. Bonnell - It's an easy hike up to see the beautiful view of Lake Austin on one side and downtown Austin on the other.  After our hike, we picnicked at Zilker Park and checked out the Austin NAture & Science Center where we dug up Dino bones in this huge pit of sand.  An absolutely wonderful day that didn't cost a dime! Yay!

 Day Three: Took us up to Waco to visit the Mayborn Museum.  This complex features an incredible Natural History museum that my kids really did enjoy.  But what they loved the most were the 17 (yep 17!) individual rooms at the Children's Museum.  They especially loved the bubble room.....

 We spent over 4 hours here and loved every minute of it.  Can't wait to talk about it on my other site - it is a true gem.
After our fun, we headed over to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & History Museum, where we learned all about the Texas Rangers (no - not the baseball team, the law enforcement division).  The kids played a fun scavenger hunt here.

To finish our busy day in Waco, we had to stop by the Mammoth Site - 19 sets of complete mammoth skeletons were discovered here in the late 70's and only recently, they opened this up to the public to see the last 2 they did not excavate.  It was fascinating to see the size of these things!  For more information about mammoths, check out online paleontology classes that can teach you how slow birth rate and climate change caused mammoth extinction.

 Measuring up to see how they compare to a Mammoth!

 Day Four: We headed out to the Hill Country and went directly to the LBJ Ranch and Historic Park.  President LBJ gave his land to the government to create a historic park where you can go and see his old schoolhouse, tour his "Texas White House", where he spent 25% of presidency at, and tour the working ranch.

 In the barns, the kids were able to feed and play with 5 week old goats - I just loved these pics!

 Day Five: Started with the Vanishing Texas River Cruise, where we were taken by boat to an abandoned town that was moved in the 1930's when a dam was built.  The town is covered in water 6 months out of the year and it was really cool to hear the history of it all.  Brody says this was one of his favorites!

 After that, we went to Longhorn Caverns - one of 7 caverns in Texas you can go into with a guided tour.  What makes this one unique is that it was created by a river- the walls are so smooth!  What was also funny was we ran into our neighbors while we were on the tour!

 Dinner that night was the famous Cooper's BBQ in Llano - I have been wanting to go for years! The ribs melted in your mouth.  Delish!!

 Day Six: We took the kids to the Sweet Berry Farms to pick strawberries.  We had a ton of fun doing it, but man those are tartest strawberries I ever tasted!!

While we were there, little Bubba took a quick train ride too!

Did you make it through?  I'm exhausted just typing it all out.  Looking back, we did a ton, but we took our time and never felt rushed.  Yes, it was all planned this way so that I could write about all 20+ places we visited last week.  But it was a completely do-able and enjoyable schedule.  The kids and I learned so much history and saw so many cool things, that we have been talking about it for days. I know in a few short years, hanging out with mom for Spring Break is going to be at the bottom of the list, so I am taking it all in while I can!

Linking up this post with my girls, Impulsive Addict and Seriously Shawn (who I get to see in less than 43 days - are you jealous???) for their Talk To Us Tuesday meme.  Link up whatever you got- there are NO rules!!

Soccer Season Has Begun!

Soccer Season has begun for us y'all.  And what exactly does that mean?

Practice 4 nights a week and at least 2 (sometime 3-4) games a weekend.  Both my older kiddos play.

Yup.

I'm an official mini-van driving soccer mom.

And this guy?  He finds fun ways to entertain himself, seeing as he was practically raised going to soccer all the time....

When Brody doesn't have a game, he finds ways to entertain himself too - his favorite is climbing goal posts.

This particular Sunday game was a perfect day to capture some shots of my girl doing what she loves....

And this silly boy....

Matt still coaches (in the background) Sis's team - it's his last year, so he is a little sad about it.  He has coached her since she was 4 and it's time to let the professional coaches have her.

Personally, I feel nothing but pride watching her play.  She is so serious and passionate about playing well....and winning. Don't get me wrong, she enjoys every minute of it and can't imagine playing another sport.  In fact, at this point, her goal is to become a professional soccer player....and an artist.  We'll see how that works out for her.

In the meantime, I'm just going to enjoy watching her play - I think she's awesome - I'm her momma - I'm supposed to, right?

Go Sis!

Yep - I love it.  And despite all the craziness that 4 practices a week bring us, I wouldn't change it for the world.  Someday I 'm going to miss the chaos!

*Yes, Brody plays too and I will soon get pics of his game up here too - haven't been to one with great weather yet 

Friday Daydreamin': My Family

Wow, I can not believe how fast this week went by!  We have had SO much fun this week!  OUr Spring Break has been exhausting, with activities planned every day.  But I wouldn't change it a bit - I have truly enjoyed every minute I spent exploring with my family.

In fact, it is Thursday morning, and we are packing to head to the lake for the weekend - fun things planned there - visiting LBJ Ranch, climbing Enchanted Rock, visiting Longhorn Caverns, getting some awesome pie......and more.

So, this Daydream is early...and not so much a daydream but a moment of Gratitude.  I am so very thankful to have spent my Spring Break with my sweet family.  We didn't have to go far to have a great time together.

What are you doing for Spring Break or what did you do?  Tell us about it over at R We There Yet Mom?.  Link open this evening! I'd love to hear your stories!!

Cousin Love

I am blessed to have grown up near my cousins.  We were best buddies even though I was the oldest - we played Barbies together and danced like Madonna when we were kiddos.  

And though we have grown up (and slightly apart), there is still always that comfortableness that come with being in a family together.  

My kids LOVE to play with their cousins - they are like add-on siblings to play and have sleep-overs with.  

It warms my heart to see my kiddos with their cousins.

 And even though we live far apart and see each other only a few times a year, my kids love spending time with their cousins.

 Especially these 3 - the youngest 3 (until last week!!).

 When they were together this summer and over the Holidays, they loved running around together in a pack, causing mischief.

 And these two little boys - so close in age - didn't quite understand how to share - there were constant battles for toys, fussing over ownership, and general natural competitiveness.  We just laughed about it.

Cause we KNOW they will be BEST BUDS as they grow up.

Sis is the oldest of the Darling clan - This past week added 2 more cousins to the family too!  A GIRL & a  BOY!!  Just more cousins to love on!

My hope is the hugs & kisses continue and they grown up valuing how special it is to be surrounded by cousins.

Friday Daydreamin': Spring Break?!!!

Spring Break starts in less than 12 hours!!  As you saw from over at my sister site, R We There Yet Mom, we have a BIG Spring Break planned and I can't wait to get it started.  I think the break from school and routine will rejuvenate us for the rest of the school year.  But I am mainly excited to explore a few new places that we have never been to before.

Last year for Spring Break, we didn't get to do much - have you tried hauling a 1 1/2 year old around all day?- So we went to the Austin Rodeo and did a few things around home before heading to our beloved Oklahoma for a long weekend.  We got out one morning and took a long hike through a nearby state park.  It was awesome exploring new places.

Which is why I am looking forward to next week so much!  I explained our plan here yesterday.  It is a busy week but I know we can tackle it - like I have said over and over - it's about the fun while we are there and the memories we can take with us!

Here's hoping y'all have a fantastic Spring Break!

Spring Break Inspiration

Oh my friends.  Where have I been you ask?  (Ok- no one really asked, maybe that's my inner voice speaking).  I have been super duper busy working (yes Matt, I call it working even though I love it) on my sister blog, R We There Yet Mom!!  As we are heading into Spring Break time here in Central Texas, I have been blogging my little fingers to the bone to post all kinds of fun activities for families to do here in Texas.  Whew!  Every night I have been blogging - just over there..not here.

So sorry to say, I have been neglecting this sweet little tribute to my family!  I have so much to catch up on too!!  It's overwhelming, but as this is my chronicle of our family, I'm jumping in.

I was blessed to began writing regularly for Quirky Momma, a fun kids activity blog.  I post every Monday afternoon, so please jump on over and show the love!! :))  My very first post was on planning a fantastic Spring Break Staycation.  Go read it - it's awesome - I'll wait here for you.

So, wanting to go out and try new adventures with my kids AND finding all these AMAZING things to do in our local area (WHO KNEW??), the kids and I brainstormed and came up with a plan for next week!

So we mapped this out last weekend, and we have already discovered a few more things we weould like to do, so plans may change slightly, but here is how our week looks:

SUNDAY: I was invited to a PBS Kids SXSW event for bloggers and am thrilled to go!  But that afternoon, we will head to Pioneer Farms, a working farm here in Austin that is set in the 1880s with docents!  So excited!

MONDAY: SeaWorld San Antonio baby!! We haven't been since the kiddos were little!

TUESDAY: Outdoor Austin Day- hiking up Mt. Bonnell (a local hike to see Austin & the surrounding lakes from a cool vantage point), ride the train at Zilker Park, picnic there, and then to our favorite Austin candy shop (weather permitting)!

WEDNESDAY: The above schedule is to head an hour south of us to the Texas Wildlife Ranch (a drive-thru animal park) and then to the Grist Mill for lunch.  But after researching all there is to do in Waco, we might head there for mammoth fossils, a children's museum, and a 100+ year old suspension bridge.  We shall see what we feel like doing that day.

THURSDAY: Out in the Hill Country lies a state park thatI went to as a child, LBJ Ranch, that features another 1800s settlement, LBJs vacation home and a beautiful park.  There is a lot to do out in Fredericksburg (my favorite German town here in TX) that we will enjoy as well.

FRIDAY: The olders and I are going on a "vanishing river cruise" on Lake Buchanan to spy some bald eagles and then touring Longhorn Caverns (another incredible cavern).  Thanks mom!

SATURDAY: We would like to hike Enchanted Rock again with Dad, but are going to play that one by ear - we may be exhausted by then!!

So that is our week in a nutshell!  Who says you can't plan a fun week at home?  And we get the best of both worlds - new adventures during the day and our own bed to sleep in at night.

But seriously, whey this busy of a week?  Besides the fun places I will get to write about for R We There Yet Mom?  Cause I love it - seriously - it is so much fun to explore new places to me.  I can't wait to see the fun memories we create next week!

I am linking up to Janette who is asking us to show what "inspired" us to do something.  Creating new memories with my kids has inspired me.

What a fun weekly topic to blog about - and she is creating a Pinterest Board to share all the inspiration!  So cool! Thanks Janette!

Friday Daydreamin': Perfect Kite Flying Weather!

I love Spring in Texas - perfect sunny days and plenty of strong breezes!

This weekend, we are heading to the Zilker Kite Festival!  It is a wonderful day of family fun.  Kite flying, rock wall climbing, face painting....my kiddos are looking forward to it all!!  So as I sit here typing this, daydreaming about it, I actually get to go!! Yay!!!

What are you daydreaming about this Friday?  Share it over at R We There Yet Mom?