Vacation Part 3. Splashing.

The splash pad.  It is quite possible that we went back to our old neighborhood to give Gabe a chance to play in his old splash pad.  The rule follower in me was super anxious, the mama in me was so happy to hear Gabe's squeals of delight and repeated conversations about the bucket tipping over.

Breaking the rules can be a little fun! 

The first time we sneaked in. 

And the second.

No doubt about it, Gabers loves splash pad. 

.Flower.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow 

will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  

Matthew 6:34

Vacation Part 2

Tuesday was spent at the Children's Museum.  We hadn't been there since March and the second we pulled down Binz Street Gabe knew where we were going and could hardly contain his excitement as we parked and walked towards the museum.  Once inside Gabe headed directly to the train up front and I went and bought our tickets.  

It's no wonder The Houston Children's Museum is ranked number one in the nation; it is awesome. There is something for everyone and every activity is seeped in learning - there is science, math and history everywhere.  I love watching Gabe's eyes widen in amazement when he figures something out and learns about forces, gravity and mass.  He built boats that floated down a winding river, explored the many different telephone's that made up a robot and after many practice rounds figured out just the right amount of pressure needed to use a catapult to knock over blocks.  

Another stop at the train.  

This was the first visit where Gabe was too big for the Toddler zone.  His consolation prize is that he was able to use some of the big kid physical fitness area.  Crawling through rope tunnels and walking over rope bridges were his favorite activities there.

After 6 hours at Gabe's "Happiest Place on Earth" we thought we headed back to our hotel for a very good, very sound night of sleep.

And we got away.

Have you ever just needed to get away?  To take a break from the every day life and enjoy a few days of life at a slower pace?   I did.  I really needed a getaway.

When our trip was planned it was intended for our family of four; to go on vacation and show off our little girl to our friends in Houston.  Well, that didn't go as planned but we still really wanted to join Matt on his work trip.  The beach vacation to Galveston that Matt tagged on to the end of the trip was just a huge delight.

Me and the beach; with waves crashing and the salty air.... it restores me.  

But before we went to the beach we spent a few days in Houston visiting some of our favorite places.

We spent the first few days strolling around Houston;  window shopping and dining at the galleria, sale-finding at the Outlets, enjoying the sunshine and visiting with good friends.

Once Matt had to go to work on Monday, Gabe and I hit up our favorite places.  First on the list was the zoo and the first stop at the zoo was the Hermann Park Conservatory train.

Twenty-five minutes riding through Hermann Park with my sweet boy - the day couldn't have gotten better.   But it did.  We ended up spending over 6 hours at the zoo; most of that time being spent in the two different aquariums.  Gabe has fallen in love with fish; he always looks for Nemo and Dory but isn't too particular.  At one point, I sat down and pulled up a book on my kindle while he sat and examined the fish. We were at one certain tank for almost an hour.  This boy sure loves his fish!

Gabe thought this Coquerel's Sifaka was hilarious.

 

After lunch time we wandered over to the splash pad.  Yes, the Houston Zoo has a splash pad.  Gabe was in heaven.  It was 95 degrees out so even I was getting in on the cool water action.  

 A train ride, the zoo, a splash pad all while the sun was shining brightly... simply marvelous.