Adventures in Texas: Part I

After arriving in Texas on Halloween, we realized that our fun was just beginning! Matt and Kim brainstormed so many great activities for us during our family's visit. Here are a few of our adventures:

BOUNCIN' BEARS

What a perfect outing for our active little guys! We had heard Matt & Kim talk about this place and had seen pictures, but this was our first visit to their community's Bouncin' Bears. Basically, the place is full of tons of inflatables and bounce houses. We started by trying out the Big Pillow.

Cody was a huge fan of jumping on this large pillow! We had to be sure to hold his hands to prevent him from run-jumping completely over the edge!

Daddy & Jaden took a turn as well, with Ian nearby to show us how to get the most jumping fun out of the Big Pillow.

Then, we moved on to the big slides. Daddy & Cody enjoyed the long fall first.

Ian was such a pro! We can tell he's been to this place once or twice before. :)

More twin time on the Big Pillow...

If we had to judge the boys' favorite spot based on a giggle-o-meter, the Big Pillow definitely would've won!

Next, we tried the Toddler Zone-- inflatables only for those aged 3 and under.

All 3 little guys enjoyed this one.

And finally, of course, we ended again at the Big Pillow. Aunt Kim and Daddy showed all 4 boys how to play a bouncy form of Ring Around the Rosie.

This game was a hit! Thanks, Aunt Kim, Ian & Ryan, for the wonderful outing to Bouncin' Bears! We loved our time spent jumping and giggling.

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

On Saturday, we took a trip to the Woodlands' Children's Museum. Our community, unfortunately, doesn't have a museum for children, so this was Jaden and Cody's first experience visiting a museum tailored totally for their age level. The boys could hardly contain their excitement, moving from one exhibit to the next. First, we visited the Mulch Pit. We loved watching how Ryan would carefully observe Ian and then attempt to copy him.

Cody and Jaden, on the other hand, were content just doing their own thing. What a unique experience to feel the rubber mulch under our toes!

Uncle Matt performed a mini-puppet show for Jaden. Our little man got quite a kick out of his uncle's creativity!

Jaden then quickly moved on to this metal tunnel...

...and then to this rice center.

Meanwhile, Ian was spending his time fitting these gears together.

When you arranged them just right on the magnetic board, the gears would all turn together.

Ian, with his little mechanical mind, easily showed us how this was done.

Jaden finally slowed down a bit when he discovered this exhibit-- the giant Lite Brite!

Cousin Ryan soon joined us. This center was an easy favorite for all these little guys.

Jaden and Ryan took a moment to play with the trains. We were impressed with Ryan's ability to guide the train all along the track.

Cody showed Aunt Kim how to go down the toddler slide.

But after several traffic jams on the slide, we had to move on...

Cody relaxed for a minute on Daddy's lap to watch the aquarium fish.

Whew! Are you getting tired watching us yet? As you can tell, our little guys didn't stay at any one center for very long at all. We were definitely constantly moving in this museum, and we left no corner unexplored! Next up was the water table.

Ryan and Cody enjoyed throwing objects into the water.

Uncle Matt & Aunt Kim took some time out to watch their current favorite nephews. ;)

At one point during the morning, Jaden made a new friend on this imaginary stage. This little boy was reciting the words from the story, Five Little Monkeys.

Whenever the boy got to the part when the monkeys fell off the bed, he would collapse onto the ground. Jaden joined right in!

For a very brief time, we visited the grocery store exhibit. Cody and Jaden filled their shopping carts with food and then proceeded to push their carts around the store. 

When the boys started pushing the carts on full speed around the entire museum, however, we figured it was best to visit a different exhibit. :)

Our last spot was this playhouse. Aunt Kim and Ryan put together some food...

..and Jaden & Cody volunteered to clean up!

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After the Lite Brite, this playhouse was probably the boys' second favorite center, based on the amount of time they spent inside.

We loved watching how the boys would imitate various adult behaviors, such as putting items into the fridge and closing the door...

...and pouring milk into cereal bowls. How funny!

The Children's Museum quite likely was one of the boys' biggest highlights of our entire trip to Houston! Thanks, Matt and Kim, for taking us to such a memorable place!