Elgin's Western Days Festival

Every year Elgin hosts a Western Days Festival. It is a week long event and we go, because well, it's been fun. There is a parade that goes down the street (which we missed this year).

Joshua petting the Camel



Both boys petting the little kangaroo

We went to the Carnival section and they were both large enough to ride the rides this year, which is a huge plus since Matthew wasn't able to last year and he wanted to join Joshua so badly.

Joshua in a Mustang, because it was orange.

Matthew's is my favorite because he is sitting in the back seat with his arm up.

Then they rode a motorcycle.

Then was the roller coaster. I love how Matthew is smiling and Joshua is holding on for dear life.

As we were leaving they had a balloon snake made.

We had a blast even though it was extremely hot...it always is every year...and we keep coming back. 

Texas Memorial Museum

The other day I took the boys to the Texas Memorial Museum. This is a free museum that teaches the children about fossils, the native Texas animals, and geology. Let's just say that they will enjoy it when they are a little bit older, but we had fun. Joshua wanted to get into the exhibits and touch the fossils, but he loved the trip. We will do it again.

After the museum we went to a local park, after a stop at Dairy Queen for Dilly Bars. The boys had a wonderful day.

Great American Backyard Campout 2012

Great American Backyard Campout

This past Saturday we actually did our backyard campout because on the 24th we need to be up early to make the two hour drive to Rosenberg, TX for the Special Assembly so staying up late and sleeping outside isn't an option. Let me just say, there is nothing like setting up a tent and camping in the backyard to make a three and a half year old excitedly happy. He helped me set up the tent and even blow up the mattress in it. We'd been talking about it for a couple of weeks so he knew it was going to happen. It will be a nice memory for him. I also love that we were able to do something extremely fun and dirt cheap. We didn't have to spend money on a campsite, we had a fire and marshmallows, and a tent we already had stored in the RV.

Our tent all set up

Joshua loved just playing in the tent in general

We had our pool set up to pretend it was a lake

Joshua helping me to blow up the mattress

S'mores Time

He was one happy camper

The fire going strong

Mommy and Joshua roasting the marshmallows

Daddy enjoying a S'more, too

We will do this again for sure. We won't be waiting for next year either, but we will do it as a tradition for the Great American Backyard Campout every single year. There is nothing better than showing your children that you can have a lot of fun and not have to go out and spend $300-$500 in a weekend to spend time with family and enjoy yourself. 

Lunch, Gardens, Train, Park

I've been wanting to do a special day with the boys and decided we would have our special day yesterday. The original plan was to meet a friend and her two children for lunch and go to the park, but she's busy, so we went out and did it anyway.
I'd spent Thursday cleaning the house between meal times, play times, reading and nap times so that Friday could be dedicated to the boys.
First, we dealt with the traffic downtown to get to Flip Happy Crepes. We ordered our lunch to go since we would be eating at the park.

The boys waiting for their crepes

Next, we got back into the car and went down the road to Zilker Botanical Gardens. I'd never been and felt the walk would be wonderful for the boys and we would have fun. We will definitely be going back soon. Especially, since there were sections we did miss, but we spent a good two and a half hours roaming around.

Last, we went over to Zilker Zephyr and took a train ride. Joshua loves this train. We also went to play in the park after and ate a yummy watermelon snow cone to cool down.

My little train riders

Joshua didn't want to sit near the engine...so we were in the back.

It was a wonderful day, the boys had a blast, and we were all tuckered out by the end of the day. I love days like these where everyone has a smile on their face.

Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo

This is kind of late and only because I thought we would hit the Austin Rodeo this year, but no such luck. Our usual day to go was rainy, cold, and just plain miserable. It ends this Saturday and I know we won't make it out to see all the animals and go to the Carnival so thought I would tell you about the Cowboy Breakfast that I took the boys to. 

Every year, the Friday before Rodeo opens up to the public, they have a huge breakfast down at Auditorium Shores. I've always wanted to go, but I either had to work, had a new baby, or the weather was just horrible...this year's was great despite being overcast. We will be doing this again in the years to come for sure.

The boys

Pioneer Flour Mill's Tent (used to work for them)

Making Biscuits

Biscuits are cooked in a Dutch Oven

Coffee (I make it this way when camping)

84 Annual Austin Kite Festival

Raul had been to the Austin Kite Festival back in 2004 and never really went again...just couldn't get it into our schedule. Well, Joshua LOVES kites and we decided to go this year and we will probably go every year from now on. It's only one day so if you miss it, you have to wait another year to go. Luckily, we have 5.6 acres to fly a kite on, which I am sure we will be doing here really soon. Joshua does want an octopus kite badly, but we had our Blue Macaw and his froggie kite from the coast to fly this year.

Daddy and Joshua checking things out first

Austin's skyline with a bunch of kites

Joshua and Daddy flying a kite

Mommy and Joshua flying the froggie kite

Having lunch

The boys

 

A whole bunch of kites

Family Day - Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary

Yesterday we did a Family Day, something we've been trying to incorporate this into our months of doing something as a family at least once a month. I'd love to do something every single weekend, but doing something once a month at this point is the best option and gives the boys, especially Joshua, something to look forward to each month. We plan to try and do something new as well.

Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary
This is definitely not your typical zoo of Lions, Tigers, Zebras, Giraffes, etc. It did have Lions, Tigers and Bears, but mostly had goats and sheep, and some monkeys. It is more of a rescue or sanctuary for animals that have been bought to be pets, but aren't taken care of or not allowed to be had as pets.
The boys loved it and it we will be going back another day.

A Lioness playing with a ball

Lunchtime for the Tigers

A Peacock walked right up to the boys

Joshua feeding a goat