More summer fun

We found two more fun places to go while still socially distancing.  The kids and I went to the Dallas arboretum, and though our favorite children's garden is closed, we still explored and found new fun things in the larger gardens. We found a fun stream that runs through one garden to play in. 

We were one of only two families in there because they have really restricted entries. 

This girl didn't seem to mind. 

The kids splashed and had a good time. 

Maya found this statue with a book. She was so upset that she couldn't take the book for herself or turn the pages. 

"Maya READ BOOK." 

"GIVE MAYA BOOK!"

The kids had lots of playing and splashing in the frog statues too. 

But not Maya, she was not so sure about the frogs. 

She decided she would rather sit and eat apples. 

Luckily she didn't mind waiting because the big boys were busy! 

The next day was finally Isaac's turn to go to Tyler to visit Pops and Gram.  He really loved their new kitten. 

I took the other kids to a lake that has a beach entrance nearby. Here Maya was rubbing her face in the sand.  Silly girl.

Zev and Tahl had fun swimming and digging. Zev dug this huge hole. 

And you can see T having fun swimming in the background.  This was our first time visiting here, and we will definitely go again. 

Isaac's birthday!

Isaac had a LOT of plans for his birthday. They were mostly easy, but he did have the entire day planned out. He loves to plan out his fun just like his mom.  His first idea was the zoo. In order for me to feel comfortable at the zoo, we got up early and we were there for member only hours at 8.  The kids thought it was amazing. We saw the tiger up closer than ever before. 

We saw the otters and lots of birds. 

I think maybe the animals knew it was Isaac's birthday. 

Isaac loved the whole morning. 

The kids were so excited to see the warthogs up close and busy (not sleeping). 

Here is our gorilla picture fail. 

We got a cute picture or two on a bench on the way out. 

Not all of them were successful. 

Bigger kids does help, but not always.  Either way, we did have lots of fun. 

We were home from the zoo by 10:30 AM, and someone was ready to open all his presents! 

He loved his new Harry Potter robe and wand. 

He also got an indoor (behind the door) basketball hoop from Pops and Gram, a soccer goal set and tent from his Mimi and Craig, and the awesome outdoor swing from Buby and Buster. 

We had an afternoon swim with cherries for snack (as specified) by Isaac. He didn't have any fun at all. 

Only this kid could get me to make homemade spinach lasagna, garlic bread, and lava cakes for dinner.  He loved his lasagna. 

He also loved the lava cakes which may have had too much lava in them. 

He blew out his six candle carefully so his cake wouldn't break. 

He's my favorite six year old ever.  I LOVE this kid. 

He ate his cake with a side of ice cream and cherries left over after swimming. It was very rich to say the least. 

Some people had more lava than cake, so we will have to work on our bake time. 

However, this girl and her two forks didn't seem to mind. 

We are so happy that Isaac loved his birthday. I worked really hard to gather a video for him of our family and friends wishing him happy birthday in one place. He really liked it. We love any reason to celebrate Isaac, and we hope he has the most amazing year. 

Isaac's Birthday

1. What is your favorite color? Turqouise

2. What is your favorite toy? My scooter

3. What is your favorite fruit? Cherries

4. What is your favorite TV show? Wild Kratts

5. What is your favorite movie? Into the Spiderverse

6. What is your favorite outfit? My athletic exercise stuff I think.

7. What is your favorite game? Sleeping Queens

8. What is your favorite animal? Eurasian lynx

9. What is your favorite song? I’m Not Scared of the Dark

10. What is your favorite book? Harry Potter, I think.

11. Who is your best friend?  Cherie

12. What is your favorite breakfast food? Biscuits, eggs, and bacon

13. What is your favorite snack? I would probably say chewy bars with chocolate and peanut butter.

14. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Macaroni and cheese with chicken nuggets

15. What is your favorite thing to eat for dessert? Cookie cake

16. What is your favorite drink? Lemonade

17. What food do you not like? Squash

18. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Spinach lasagna, garlic bread, and chocolate lava cake

19. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Balance bike

20. What is your favorite holiday?  Halloween

21. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Stuffed animals and my schmata and my Mal blanket

22. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a zoo keeper.

23.  Who are you going to marry when you grow up? Maya

24. Where is your favorite place to go around town? The zoo

25. What is your favorite thing to learn about in school? Lunch and making graphs in math

26. What is a time you were brave this year? When I jumped down from a slide from the very very top.  I hurt my nose, and I didn’t even go to the nurse afterwards.

27. What is a time you were kind this year? When Cherie fell down from the monkey bars and I ran over to help her up and ask if she was okay.  I helped her up. 

28. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? To the Australian outback to see a dingo, a thorny devil, and a kangaroo.

29. If you could have any wish, what would it be? To live forever

30. What are you most looking forward to about being 6? I’m not sure. Maybe loosing my next tooth. 

June fun

My mom came over to visit, and everyone was so excited to see her (and hug her) for the first time in months. 

We got another since kit, and I thought it was too funny to see the boys in the regular and nerf goggles. 

My dad and Stacy have been having the kids up to visit for a few days one (or two) at a time.  Zev had lots of fun with Uncle Jacob. 

And Pops and Gram, of course. 

While Zev was out of town, we went to hike and play in a creek with the Richardsons.  Maya definitely doesn't understand social distancing. She really wanted Emily to pick her up, but she settled for this. 

Next it was Maya and Tahl's turn to go to Tyler.  They had lots of fun together with Pops and Gram. 

I took Isaac and Zev out to a nature park a (long) drive away. We didn't end up getting to play in the water like we hoped, but we still had fun. 

To make up for the nature park creek failure, I promised Zev I would find a creek over the weekend. I was able to find one not too far from our house. 

We saw mommy and baby ducks, fish, paw prints, a turtle, and even this snake on our adventure. Not too bad for a creek within ten minutes of our house.