Random Summer Pics!

Spent most of July in Oklahoma visiting family!  With a quick side trip to Kansas City.

On the drive up to OK, someone (The Hubs) thought it would be great to let Little Man try Twinkies for the first time.  I know, I'm a mean Mom not to let the boy eat whatever he wants. (eye roll).

So excited!

Yummy!

Once in T-Town, we met up with family at The Dilly Deli for dinner.  So good!

The chicken fried steak was bigger than my Dad's face!  Woah!

 Saw this character at an Led Zeppelin cover band show.

LM was like, "hey mom!  Look at his shirt!" while snickering because of the "bad word".

4th of July was spent at the River Spirit Casino - Jimmy Buffet Resort.  You would be surprised at how many kids were there!  The weather was great!  The pool was packed but the buffet was great!

Why yes, I do like Pina Coladas!

Chillin'

The Hubs showing off his strength.

Waiting for nightfall to see the fireworks show over the river.

Meowrica!

LM and cousin J

My Hubs family used to own and operate the Circle Cinema theater which was celebrating its 89th Birthday while we were there.  Attended a special showing of "Wait Until Dark" with its famous scene which scared the crap out of everyone!

LM and cousins with the original projector.

 Uncle Eric stopped by for some RC car fun!

Splash pad with the cousins.

Once the Houston cousins made it to Tulsa, we moved to the indoor activity pool at their hotel..much cooler for the parents to hang out while the kids played.

We've taken his picture on this slide before.

10 years old

2 years old.

I was lucky enough to have lunch with 2 of my friends from 

Elem / Jr. High!

They haven't changed a bit!

Carmen, Me and Ann-Marie!

The group visiting GiGi (front and center)

4 generations

 Pickle Boy!  This kid loves pickles!

LM developed Swimmers Ear after 3 days of non-stop swimming.   Ouch!  Not fun! But ear drops and alternating kids Tylenol and Motrin seemed to do the trick. 

Someone was not happy that Wonder Woman was the toy in a surprise pack.

LM with Mitsy - Grandpa Jim and Grandma Marty's dog. 

Last day with the cousins! 

New Orleans!

The Hubs was scheduled to speak at a conference in New Orleans the week after camp so Little Man and I tagged along!  I was worried that it would be crazy humid but it wasn't bad.

Buying a day pass for the trolley/train is the best way to get around.

Can't visit New Orleans with trying the Beignets!

 Reminded me of Indian fry bread with lots of powdered sugar!

 Rickshas outside the French Market

Took a picture of this and sent it to my mom.

She once told me how she went squirrel hunting with her Dad.

Yuk! hahaha

 Local Art

 Pics below are from around Jackson Square

 LM with Praline the mule

Praline's owner was more than happy to educate us on how mules were much more suited to working in the southern heat than horses. And that you have to cross a female horse with a male donkey to produce a mule.  And that you can't make another mule by breeding 2 mules because the male mules "shoot blanks".

I'm sure LM appreciated the education. hahaha

Souvenir shops! 

LM would not get any closer to the gator. hahaha

 Graveyard - LM did not want to go.

 Bourdon Street

We visited the WWII Museum on our last day.  Wow!  Just Wow!

They covered every little detail. 

I'll admit, I teared up quite a few times while walking through and taking it all in.  Its a must visit if you're ever in New Orleans.

Summer - Hit the ground running with Cub Scout Camp!

The week after school let out was filled with Cub Scout camp activities!  Twilight Camp is a week long camp in the evenings (4p-8:30p). This was our first scout camp and I was fortunate enough to be a "Walking Den Leader / Parent".  I quickly realized that I was the ONLY volunteer for the Webelos scheduled for the entire week.  Their Pack Leader was there for 2 of the 5 days and another parent came by for 2 of the 5 days but Day 1 was ALL MINE. :D

The upside is that I'm a Boy Mom...so I can handle crazy boys.  On the first day I had 5 but the rest of the week we combined with 2 other packs and it was a "it takes a village" effort to keep track of 15 boys.  The "Mud Daubers" were a great group of kids!  of course, Dauber was parleyed into Dabber which provided a week long insertion of "The Dab" into general conversation.  Sigh.
I did have a kid from another pack who had his own agenda and I kept having to locate him when walking from one activity to another. :D  Didn't lose him...just had to chase him down.

My guys!

LM front row right

Thankful that the Port-O-Pottys have evolved!

Found a "grab and hover" bar inside so I didn't have to sit on the pee covered seat!  Nice!

 Staying hydrated with his water pack!

 Wearing our stylish hats with "swaps".

The kids swap items off each others hats.

Now we're talking!

BB Guns! 

The Range Master let me shoot once all the boys had a turn.

Not bad for a "Mom". :D

Human Foos Ball!

Learned how to make a shelter out of branches.

Making a bird feeder.

Great job!

The Archery Range Master asked for volunteers to help the boys.  Good thing too because I had a kid who was determined to load his arrow while pointing it in the direction of the kid next to him! 

Dude!

 How to tie different knots.

LM said it was harder than it looked. 

Being silly while waiting on the shuttle bus. 

Video of LM trying to catch crackers in his mouth.

And me almost falling off my bucket!

The boys also learned how to start a campfire, use compasses for navigation and participated in team building exercises.

We had a great time at camp and made a lot of new friends!

Birthday Fun!

My bestie, Karen, and I have Birthdays on the same week! How fun is that?!  So we decided to organize a girls night out to celebrate our special days with great food and drinks!  If you are ever in the Dallas, TX area, you have to eat at Ida-Claire!

We reserved the Airstream trailer they have on the back patio and it was perfect!  Just enough space and privacy for our small party of fun!

A large beer and wine selection, Mint juleps, French 76's and absinthe infused drinks round out the drink menu!

Airstream

Funky fun interior

Cincy, Lisa, Deirdre, Me, Karen and Carrie!

I'm in heaven!

Chicken and Waffles!

Chocolate cake trimmed and garnished with bacon!

Catch Up! Field Day!

Field Day! 

On Field Day, the kids get a couple of hours outside for games, snacks, etc.  You and your buddy can dress up in costumes or whatever and parents volunteer to man the water stations, tattoo booth, tug-of-war and other fun games.

LM and his Rapper buddy, B

Hula Hoop race!

LM in the red shirt.

4th Grade Dudes!

LM is to the right of #19

We're so cool!

To cool for school!