Visitors and Pumpkins

Last weekend Lisel and Dave came to visit. There was lot's of books read, games played and laughs to go around.

We had planned to go to Discovery Green in Downtown Houston, but when we got there it was closed for some reason. Instead we went to the Houston Arboretum which had a pumpkin patch.

Anastasia was not going to smile or raise up her hands.

But then she made and silly face

and eventually smiled :) -I wish her hair was a little more controlled in these pictures

We picked a pumpkin and brought it home. Elyse and Anastasia 'helped" us clean and carve the pumpkin.

Most of their help was cheering Daddy on. Go Daddy Go!

Go, Daddy, Go!

Jia You! (sounds like Chi-o according to Elyse and this family) screamed at the top of Anastasia's lungs.

Sandy, the class pet, got in on the action too.

After church on Sunday we went to the park and had a great time.

Lisel and Dave, thanks for visiting! We miss you!

Sandy

Elyse's kindergarten class has a "pet" (a stuffed dolphin) named Sandy that each students get to take home for a weekend. Elyse got to journal about her time with Sandy and share pictures from the weekend. She was so excited when she got picked to take Sandy home. Her are a few things we got to do with Sandy:

Dance Party!

Superheros!

Games with Aunt Lisel and Uncle Dave:

Carve a pumpkin:

and go to the park:

Hopefully Sandy will be able to visit again soon :)

Goo etc.

When my mom came to visit she brought "goo." The girls loved it. They played with this for HOURS- literally HOURS!

On a rainy day we visited the Houston Children's Museum for the first time. We happened to be there while they were celebrating the Mid-Autumn festival. It felt familiar to be around lanterns, mooncakes and lion dances.

Here Elyse is practicing her mad science skills:

I think this is the closest I have ever been to a lion:

Painting

Taking care of a sick puppy:

Bike repair

On the way home my mom shared some of her lipstick with the girls. Aren't grandmas great?

Tea Time

My mom has been in town for a couple of days. Prior to her arrival, the girls made this sign for her:

One of the things we have done with Grandma, beside play and read books, was go to a tea room. It was very cute. The girls drinks came is tea pots and we all got hats to wear. It was very fun and girlly :)

Exploring The Woodlands

When we arrived in Texas (way back in May) we had a temporary apartment in The Woodlands which allowed us to explore the parks and other fun things the area had to offer.

One day we went to The Woodlands Market Place across from The Woodlands Mall and met up with some friends. We spent most of our time at the little water fountain area.

Anastasia had more fun eating snack and riding the donkey than playing in the water.

Elyse and Mason by the water and then in Chipolte where we ate lunch afterward.

We also got to eat some real Mexican food! Here the girls are at Los Cucos:

Another place we visited was The Woodlands Childrens Museum. It was on the small side which actually made it easier for me. I could keep track of both the girls at the same time. Although small, it had a lot to do. There was a water and sand area, a pretend store, pretend house, pretend fire engine and an area for smaller kids to play. The museum also had dress up clothes, an area with pretend dirt to play in, and a craft area.

One day I want to bring the girls back there.

This is just a random picture I wanted to include :)