Family Weekend in Dallas

Hard to decide which pics to post because I had so many great ones from our long weekend in Dallas! Daddy had some banking business at the Texas Rangers game Friday, so the boys and I left about an hour behind him Friday morning to meet up for some fun.  The boys and I did Legoland and the SeaLife Aquarium in Grapevine on our own.  And let me just say--Preston Parker LOVES him some LEGOS!  Specifically making the Legocars and racing them down the ramp.  He did this for I am not joking approximately two HOURS!  John Cole and I watched him some, and he also VERY much enjoyed the toddler play area with the (TALL!!) slide.  Made me super nervous but he has no fear and ate it up :)  Got a couple good pics of the Aquarium--it's not spectacular but if you buy the tickets WITH Legoland tickets it is a pretty good deal.

So, around 5:00 Daddy's work friend dropped him at Legoland and I pryed P away with the promise of ice skating.  We headed to the Westin Galleria and checked in.  I have never stayed there before but with small kids it is VERY convenient!  What's for dinner?  How 'bout walking a few hundred feet to Mi Cocina in the mall?  YES PLEASE!  Kiddos loved it!  Then Preston and I skated for a bit and then Mommy and Daddy did just a little shopping before we took to BEAT kiddos to the room.

We actually all slept til 7:45 Saturday morning which was fab.  Off to the Corner Bakery (IN the Galleria) for breakfast then to the Perot Museum of Science and Nature.  This must not have been around forever because I don't remember it as a kid but it is a MUST SEE!  It was pretty crowded--I'd like to go back of a random Tuesday morning--but we did most everything.  Even I was impressed with the T-Rex skeleton...and if you know Preston you know he was ALL ABOUT IT!  We had lunch in the museum cafe (not too bad) and didn't leave until around 2:00.  Mommy snuck a trip to the Northpark (ANTHROPOLOGIE!!)) in next , but we got to our next destination in plenty of time.  We did the 5:00 show at Medieval Times and it worked out great.  God was smiling down on me as we were seated where I could just leave John Cole in the stroller for the WHOLE show.  Wish I could tell the girl thanks who did that!  Of course Preston LOVED the show.  He was hungry too and ate almost his entire chicken leg, his bread, my bread and his two potato logs.  (This is a LOT for P!)  Our knight-the red knight--came in second which was cool because it was like a bracket so we got to cheer for him a lot. I'm surprised P wasn't hoarse........

After we left the castle we headed back to the hotel.  Mom and Dad relaxed in the lobby for a bit while the kids ran around then we headed up for bed.  Sunday morning we were all up at a more NORMAL hour, but that worked out great so we could start the drive out to Ft. Worth.  We pulled up right as the zoo opened at 10 and were some of the first in.  The Ft. Worth Zoo does not disappoint.  P didn't at all remember going when he was 3:( so I am glad we went again...and I guess we will have to go again when John Cole is old enough to remember.  Mommy and Daddy REALLY wanted to have lunch somewhere other than the ZooCafe (YAY!  Cheeseburger!) but the boys got hungry before we finished the zoo so that's how it worked out.  John Cole liked the elephants, the zebras and the train ride.  Preston liked the reptiles and insects.  Seriously, he made me name EVERY little bug and EVERY lizard and EVERY snake...etc.  He also wanted me to read the zoo information to him at times and I was actually impressed with the little tidbits of info he would throw in.  Boy knows his zoo animals!  HA!

We had a good trip home and are ready for Monday!  Hope you have all had a good one!

PS--Prayers needed for my grandparents please.  It's a terribly long story but their health is failing and the family (Mainly NANA!) is dealing with some issues with their long term care.  Please pray for all of their strength during this time of change....thanks!

Annual Easter Pics

Love doing these every year!  Wonder how many more years I can.....hopefully at LEAST one :)  Enjoy!

Preston's Class Egg Hunt 2013

 I was just about a wreck for the past 24 hours worried that Preston's egg hunt/lunch planned for outdoors today was not going to be just PERFECT!  You know what--it was COLD!  We ate inside.  It was muddy and wet to hunt eggs and play on the playgroud.  But the party WAS perfect :)  So grateful that it all worked out and the kids all had a great time.  Preston is getting so mature it's kinda hard on me.  He really is growing up right before my eyes.  I LOVE to watch him interact with his peers--it is truly when I am most proud of him.  Of course, John Cole was right there in on the action.  He was still taking his nap during the hunt (THANKS Gran-Gran for keeping him for me this morning!!) but was right in the thick of things for the lunch portion of the fun.  Thanks to Nana to for helping me hide the eggs in the nasty muddy grass.  The things you do for your children....guess you are still doing them when you are ???ish.....

As much fun as these things are, I will admit I need to do a better job at stressing the real meaning of Easter.  Think it's easier(and let's face it more fun) to stress the real meaning of Christmas, but Easter is what it's all about.  Up from the grave he arose!!

More hunts and hijinks to come....

Happy St. Pats!

Love these two little Leprecauns!  Thanks for the new shirt Nana :)

Photo Shoot

A few of my faves from our photo shoot with Mrs. Sarah on a very cold Saturday morning about a month ago.  My objective was to get a picture of them together...this did not happen but I think it's a tad obvious I love pictures of my boys and am happy to have these memories forever.  ENJOY!

Dr. Seuss Week

We are still here!  Just gotten out of the habit of taking pictures with my good camera and sitting down to blog...but I am going to get back into the groove.  Shown here are Preston and his best bud Remy as "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" for Dr. Seuss character dress up day.  It's been a fun week at the LPECC that's for sure!  They had a different dress up theme every day--Cat in the Hat, crazy socks for "The Foot Book," and even a wild and wacky Wednesday.  (Not sure where this tied in with Dr. Seuss but the kids liked it.....

As for now, have a great weekend and have a happy birthday Uncle Kevin...your Mother will not mind at all if you do!

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler...LPECC style :)

Whew!  A LOT has happened in the lives of The Parker Family since my last post.  But I am happy to report that we FINALLY got internet today after almost two weeks in our "rent house" so I am tickled to be posting right now!  (STILL no TV though...)

Not really sure how in depth the study of Mardi Gras goes at the LPECC, but Preston told me today to "get into the Mardi Gras spirit!" so they are at least learning about the party aspect--ha!  The kids loved the parade and I was glad John Cole and I got to attend.  On a side note I wasn't thinking and gave John Cole a peanut butter cup that was thrown and he doesn't have a peanut allergy.  Looking back that was not my best decision but it turned out ok :)

Lastly, please say a prayer for my grandparents.   My Gran is in HealthSouth recovering from a fracture in her back (that she has been suffering with for OVER a month that the Doctors MISSED!) and my PaPa was admitted to the hospital today with pneumonia.  Never a good thing at his age.  Thanks!