Avil drops and dinner out

On Thursday, Joe had to go to work, so Kris and I decided that the kids could need a break from having to share. Charis, Kris and I borrowed Jen's car and went downtown.

We visited two cool bike shops. The first one (One on One) had a coffee shop where we got coffee and a snack.It also had a bassment full of all kinds of bikes.

They had bins of parts and a huge pile of used bikes. They also had some really special bikes.
And of course, we found a bike related weird event. An anvil drop!
Only my husband could spend a couple hours in the city and find an event like this one. They drop an anvil on a car several times and then put a bike on the car and dropped the anvil again.The band had all hardware equipment for instruments.
It was exactly the type of thing that Kris loves.
Then we had parents night out at a nice restaurant over looking the downtown area.

On Wednesday, we went to the beach. The girls and daddys played in the lake while Jen, Riley and I played in the sand.
Riley also tried out the water for a few minutes with daddy but I think he preferred eating the sand.
Then everyone joined us on the sand and played with the sand toys, made sand hills and buried our feet in the sand.This beach also had a sprinkler/fountain play area for the kids.
Evie knew exactly what to do and filled her bucket with water and then dumped it on herself.
Charis, on the other hand, could fill her bucket but then was not sure what to do. So she would just pour it out and then fill it again.

Bookstore, toystores and playing

We started the next day (Aug 12) out by going to a really cool bookstore.
We played, read books and visited with the pet animals.Then it was a quick walk around the corner to a toystore. But of course, kids need to explore everything.But we were in no hurry and had some fun looking in newspaper boxes, smelling flowers and sitting on benches and chairs.Charis found a small dollhouse inside the toystore that she instantly loved and played with until it was time to go. Maybe we will try to get her something like this for her next birthday.
After naps, we played with the new beads and string (one of the things I have been looking for on the eye exercises list) that I got for Charis at the learning store.And the girls loved the harmonicas that Jen got them.
And then one of Charis' favorites, playdoh.Then when the kids went to sleep. Kris and I taught Joe and Jen one of our favorite games... Carcassonne.

What a zoo!

I must have still been feeling sick when I posted last because I forget to post why we went to Minnesota and who we were visiting. So here goes...

Joe, a friend from Oregon (and former housemate) and his wife Jen (who we all instantly became friends with the first time we meet her) along with their 2 year old daughter, Evie and 6 month old son Riley generously offered to have us come stay with them for a little over a week in Minnesota and enjoy a wonderful vacation. Thanks guys, we really appreciated it!!!
Ok, on with the trip. On August 11th, we went to the zoo with Evie, Riley, Joe and Jen. It was a lot of fun.
We saw a lot of animals. Monkeys and Gorillas...
Snakes...
Seals...
A Giraffe licking a wall...
Sleepy leopards...
And tons more. The girls loved the animals and did really well all morning.
But my favorite part about the zoo was the amusement park that was for kids right in the middle of the zoo.
Charis and I rode on the first ride. I loved experiencing that with her. She loved it too and kept spinning the pumpkin faster and faster.
Then the girls rode alone on the cars. I have to admit after getting them buckled in, I was a little nervous.
Then the tea cups with Jen and Evie...
Another one for just the girls but this one went up and down.
Save the last for daddy. They went on the swings, the ones that go around in a circle but swing you up really high. I was nervous this time that she would be scared or want out but I put on a brave face, kissed her and told her to have fun.
And she did! She loved it!
Then we went home so that the very tired out toddlers could get their naps.

First Days of Minnesota Trip - Aug 8, 9 & 10

Sorry it took me so long to blog. I am still recovering from the trip and Charis and I both got sick when we got home. Anyway on with the fun.

Charis did pretty good on the flights until the end. She was really tired when we got in at 11:00 pm. She was too excited about our trip and did not sleep during her normal nap at home. But she fell asleep on my shoulder while we were waiting for ours bags and stayed asleep until the next day.

Kris and Charis on the tram in Denver to our gate.


The first two days we hung out at the house, went to the park and let the girls play and get acquainted.


They did really well for having to share everything and not getting much alone time with their parents or downtime.

More to come of our trip...

Hot Days and New Eyepatches

We haven't been posting in awhile...I think because our brains are melting in this heat. So here goes.

Last Sunday all 3 of us got to spend the day together. I doesn't seem to happen as much as it should with 2 jobs and splitting daycare duties, but Sunday it worked. I made migas for breakfast (I'm addicted) and we made plans to go school shopping. I know what you're thinking: "Whose going to school?" Well, Sam has been donating to local shelters for some time, and this one is for foster care kids getting ready for the new school year. So with lists in hand, we all picked out new supplies and tried to make really good combinations for different ages. It was fun to do together, and I think they turned out great.
Afterwards we went to lunch at a Vegetarian cafe not far from our house called Bouldin Creek. They have the best darn tofu I've ever had (I think it's made with bacon....not) and a blueberry cornbread cake that is mouth nirvana. It's a small place, with most of it's seating outside. It was 104 that afternoon, and we were all soaked by the end of our meal...still good though.

Skip to today.
Our butts may be sweating in Texas, but our minds are already in Minneapolis. We are so ready to relax in sub 95 degree Minnesota, and hopefully sleep under blankets for the first time in months! Charis and I wrapped things up at the shop (new custom bike ordered for daddy!) got coffee-ed, and ate lunch (outside again). Tonight we ate really tasty tacos at my folks house, and Chica got to try on her custom-made eyepatches that my amazing mother sewed for her. They slip on gently and stay in place....instead of the pirate patch that is awkward and made for old men.

After dinner, we walked up and down South Congress avenue for what's called "First Thursday". SoCo, as it's called, is full of unique/weird/hip stores. The 1st Thursday of each month the merchants all stay open to 10-11pm. It's like a festival of sorts with lots of music everywhere, and pop-up tents with all kids of artsy and handmade stuff. This was Charis' first time, and she really liked all the people (even the patchouli ones) and music to dance to. It was fun, it was hot, and people can't resist the charms of Charis...she managed to get a whole crowd dancing! I should be making money off this kid....

Tomorrow we get on the plane, and don't come back for 10 days. I think it will be good, and probably one of the best vacations we've ever had as a family away from Austin. We'll try and blog from Casa de Bischoff...I think they have the necessary amenities. Blog at ya soon.