How Sweet it is!

So, we're learning about plants at school...what plants need...what plants have...etc.




Two weeks ago we planted tiny seeds in a tiny green house for mother's day presents. The kids are AMAZED at the little green sprouts that have emerged. So, being the over-achiever that I am we've added some plant stuff to the classroom!


Our sweet potato is on day 11 of development and boy-oh-boy is development slow! But we're excited because 'Sweetie' now has two little root shoots and just the beginnings of purple nubs where the fine vine will sprout from!

Our avocado pit looks good...it looks like an avocado pit. From what I've read we won't see much for many more days and then we have a short window within which to plant the sucker in some soil before deterioration begins!


But today...today is exciting because we've started a mini-kinder-garden (Earth Day...how appropriate)! I nabbed an old aquarium from the science lab and we laid river rocks on the bottom for drainage, covered by a potting mix and we inserted some black eyed peas, Lima beans, pinto beans, black beans, and kidney beans! The beans are right up against the glass so we can observe the growth of the root system once the seed hull breaks loose! Yes, that's my reflection in the glass of the aquarium.


So, hopefully as things grow and provide unlimited observations, I'll be able so share them with you!

Cameron Park Zoo, Waco

The littlest map reader started us out at the Gambon Monkey enclosure. We stopped at the photo opportunity and found some spotted ladybugs!

Little M chilled out in her stroller when we entered the lakes and streams exhibit. It was nice and cool inside the exhibit. After this shot we drove over to the aquarium windows and checked out all the big fish!

The aviary was neat because the birds were so very close to us! The 'bird on a wire' was literally right above us as we exited the lakes and streams exhibit. He just sat there surveying the area. I was just glad he didn't give us a special souvenir to wear home ;)

One of my favorite animals of the day was the Jaguar. He was napping next to the plate glass window and had his huge paw up against the glass. So many kids marvled at how small their hands compared to his!

Lovey carried our exploration magnifier with her a lot and examined the Jag very closely.

One of the exhibits was of the night creatures of central Texas. We got to see skunks, raccoons, bats, and of course, barn owls. The lighting inside of the exhibit allowed me to take some photos without disturbing the animals.

I don't know what kind of bird this is but I thought he was magnificant!

This gentleman as well! What an amazing creature!

Clearly everyone on this family trip likes to take photos! Missy, Mom and me!

The Austin Kite Festival

When Missy and the girls came to visit this Spring Break we had a week of fantastic Austin weather! The annual Zilker Kite Festival that had been rescheduled the weekend before was in full swing and after twisting through some hilly Austin neighborhoods we found ourselves parked in front of the Austin Nature Center, which happened to be closed for the day, and just feet away from the beginnings of a beautiful day in the park with kites (and kite eating trees) all around us!







Little M enjoying a Pineapple Basil pop from Austin's own all organic "GoodPops." Pretty good stuff actually!







One area of the kite show was roped off for the super-sized kites that must have been in excess of 20ft!








Lovey and her superstar sunglasses taking in all of the "flags" she could see in the air.

Hundreds of 'flags' flew on a perfectly windy day in Zilker park. Lovey word for 'Kite' was 'Flag' until the kite festival...she now knows exactly what a kite is!