Summer is almost over...

Amazingly, it is almost time for the kids to go back to school. In fact, Alex has been at the school this week practicing with the school choir who is singing at the district wide teacher convocation today. The district invited their choir to sing which is quite an honor, although it did require dropping him off at 6 a.m. this morning. He said it felt like he was getting up for a swim meet.

Alex had a great time in the Midwest, even though he didn't catch any fish. His favorite activity was attending a Harry Potter exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It had all kinds of memorabilia from the movies including capes, wands, the sorting hat, etc. Grandpa kept asking Alex what everything was until Alex informed him that he should have read the books. Other highlights included going to a water park with Grandma and Grandpa Buckley and his cousins, going to a science supply store where he bought a "ginormous grow lizard" (seriously, that was the name on the package) that will grow to three feet, swinging madly on Grandpa's bag swing, attending a Cubs game and going mini-golfing with Aunt Dude and Uncle Mojo. My mom told me about their conversation on the first night...Alex: When do I have to go to bed? Grandma: I don't care when you go to bed. Alex: Can I go to bed at eleven? Grandma: You can stay up all night if you want to. Alex thought that was a pretty cool deal and I'm sure he was sleeping in by the end of vacation.

While Alex was playing in the Midwest, we went and visited my sister's best friend from high school. She lives nearby and recently had her third child. The kids had a great time playing together, particularly Benjamin and her 5 year old, Connor. Benjamin was a little confused that his name is Connor as Alex has a friend named Connor also. When he referred to him later, Benjamin called him Connor 2. We visited the local children's museum while we were there. Benjamin LOVED it.
We also visited a small zoo out in the boonies while Alex was gone. They had several deer that wander the property and will come up to you for food. Emma was less than thrilled with this proposition especially when the male with very large antlers came up behind her unbeknownst to her. Our favorite part of the zoo was the guinea pig exhibit. It sounds a little weird, but they probably had about 3 dozen guinea pigs in an outdoor pen. Pretty funny.
After Alex got back from the Midwest, Emma went to a Girl Scout day camp. They played games all day long which she thought that was a little boring. I guess I can't win, but I'll keep trying.

The boys and I took a little daytrip to a nearby swimming hole called Krause Springs. Sean and I have lived in Austin for 17 years and had never heard of the place until this year. It was awesome! The water was a very refreshing 70 degrees so it was great despite the hundred degree temps. Alex brought a friend and they went off the rope spring about one hundred times each. Alex's stomach muscles rebelled the next day. We are definitely planning to go back. I think it's great that there are still little gems out there to discover. I wonder what else is waiting to be found.