A is for Alamo

Last year we took a trip to Sea World... it was a quick trip but we had to stop at the Alamo in San Antonio. Touring the Alamo is free and there are many historical items from the siege inside. They say three million people visit the Alamo every year -- more than any other famous place in Texas. The word "Alamo" means cottonwood tree in Spanish. The Alamo was built as another of many missions in the area.

Texans lost that battle at the Alamo in 1836. However only days later, motivated by General Sam Houston, Texans shouted "Remember the Alamo!" battled it out in San Jacinto winning independence from Mexico.

San Antonio has incredible rich culture and history. You can take a tour of all the missions that still stand. It's hot in the summer but there are many things to do and see here. River walk, rides, shopping, tours and "fiesta" in the spring. It's a great city!

Vacation Traditions

Ideas that will make your vacation memories memorable! I love a good tradition. As my kiddos get older and we venture out into the world on vacations discovering and learning... traditions have evolved. Here are some of our "vacation traditions"...

One of my friends from college takes a photo of her children in front of every state capitol of the state they are traveling through... I think this is such an educational and fun tradition. We've only been in a few states with our kids but we certainly got a photo of the kiddos in front of our state capitol.. and good place to begin!

Early in our marriage Danny and I began buying Christmas ornaments from the places we'd visit on our vacation. Sometimes ornaments are difficult to locate but when we find one and hang it on the tree from year to year -- the "remember when we went here?" conversation begins... (side note: I found this pineapple ornament in Colorado at a precious little store in the town of Hygiene. "Pineapple" anything is difficult to find... I love that it symbolizes hospitality.)

 I pick up thimbles that represent major historical locations we visit. We've collected quite a few and I hope to display them in a fun way this summer... (future blog post.)

The kiddos LOVE those pressed penny machines.  The machine flattens out the penny by a hand crank or just the push of a button then imprints the special location... I try to keep quarters and pennies in my travel bag for just this reason.

Photos... this is my favorite tradition. I love having the photos to look back on the memories of our adventure. I take one of the kids with the car packed to the brim... and I take one of them in the car back seat... every trip.

Some other ideas I came across...

Shannon at Quarry Orchard has this incredible idea of "vacation Rocks"... and she is just as adorable as her idea.

Printing family t-shirts... you could do this so many ways.  This is one fun idea at customink... and of course Becky Higgins just has the most creative family in the world!

What are your vacation traditions? Now or from childhood...?

R is for Rodeo - Mesquite Rodeo!

 Sweet friends of ours invited us to the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. I've lived in the area my whole life and I've never had the pleasure of attending this pro-rodeo... my kids have never ever attended a rodeo so this was a fun experience for us all! And that it happened to be "first responders night" made our experience all the more special.

With a family friendly and patriotic atmosphere this rodeo has been around for over 50 years... a few presidents and many celebrities have even graced the doors. Yeeehaw!

 We watched Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and the exciting -- Bull Riding! We couldn't help but notice real cowboys, cowgirls and the rodeo clown... a.k.a. Bull Fighters! Ride 'em cowboy!

 

 It's a shame this photo is blurry... but I LOVE it! We were very fortunate to sit in a "box" so we truly had a view of the entire arena... the kiddos loved their seats!

We also enjoyed The Wizard of Whips and Ropes... truly amazing!

It was a great night with great friends... and a late bed time. But it was so worth it!  And here's to the perfect first post dedicated to my ABC Tour Texas blog series...

I see a theme here...

Everything is bigger and better in Texas... right?  I love Texas.  It's a large state.  As I review our vacation memories we've seen a lot of The Lone Star State but there is still SO much more to see and experience...

My husband is taking a team to India for a mission trip this summer... this trip will take many of his vacation hours... so I've got a plan to educate and motivate my kiddos about our summer - even though will will not go on a long family vacation (unless some how, some way we can make our annual August trip to see family Colorado I will - but so far, sadly, that is not in the plan.)

So my summer theme is the "ABC Tour Texas"... inspired by and based on this Children's book that I so love... Heart of Texas: A Lone Star ABC by Laura Krauss Melmed and Frane Lessac.

 

As we slow down and enjoy the hundred degree temperatures our fine state is known for... with a few fun and educational experiences along the way. And hey, don't mess with Texas! (I had to get that in there.)

ahhhh.... summer!

 The school year is over and we finished with a bang!  I often think the month of May is just as busy (if not more busier) as December.

But I love it.  I'm tired. But love. It.

I enjoy my family so much and I truly enjoy their activities. Some may accuse me of "living vicariously through my children". Well, I won't even try to lie. So what do I say to that...  "Yep.  It's true." (The closer I get to 40 - the less insecure I become. Let's face it.)

Trust me. My kids are very happy and enjoy these activities just as much as I do. I'm doing my best to keep a balance and yes, I have sat through that same MOPS meeting -- don't over commit your kids, etc. Don't worry... I'm watching it. I'm not perfect... let's extend grace here.

We have slowed things down... and now I begin to pick up the pieces of my poor house that has suffered abuse this past month. (Those of you who have popped in to say "hi" know full well what I'm talking about! - and I love it so keep popping in!)  Needless to say, I have quite the cleaning/organizing list.  It includes purging clothes, painting base boards and walls and scrubbing the tile grout on the kitchen floor. I could add more but I will NOT bore you or add to your anxiety. You came to see what we've been up to... so I will not disappoint .

The problem is... where do I begin?  The kiddos both celebrated birthdays. H experienced his first season of baseball (which thrills ME to no end!) The jury is still out in knowing if he'll play another season... and as crazy as it was --- I SURE HOPE HE DOES! We had Field Day, Kindergarten graduation, end of year parties and a dance recital... ALL in one week.

I also began attending a Bible Study Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter. (Yes, there is a boy version, too.) Sitting with other women who have older children and just soaking up wisdom... anything better than that would be sitting at the feet of Jesus. Already through this study I'm reminded we need not be judgmental of those moms ahead of us who may have made mistakes... and to remain teachable (we will all make mistakes) because friends, it ain't easy now... and it ain't getting easier. And no one is perfect. Ahhhh.... Grace.


So, blog friends. Thanks for stopping by and hanging in there with me. I promise to have more material on my blog this summer. I do enjoy this creative outlet - it's just making the time to blog. *sigh* But now... the laundry eagerly awaits my company...