Maze

"The overhead view is of me in a maze.
And you see what I'm hunting a few steps away.
And I take a wrong turn and I'm on the wrong path.
And the people all watching enjoy a good laugh.

Inside me a voice was repeating this phrase:
"You've lost it, you'll never get out of this maze""
- Phish



For our last afternoon of 2007, we headed to the Fort Worth Stockyards. With my niece and nephew in town, it was the perfect time to check out the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze. The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze is a unique form of entertainment for the entire family, group, or class field trip! With over 5,400 square feet of frequently changed wooden pathways, resembling the cattle pens of the old west, the maze is always a challenge! Maze runners can compete against the clock and each other, attempting to locate check points throughout the maze in a given time.



Each person is given a time card that is stamped with your starting time. You then enter the maze and have to find the 4 stations (M-A-Z-E), punching your card at each, then search for the exit to stamp your card again. The average time of completion is 11-20 minutes. I watched from the observation deck as everyone ran around like mice. Even the youngest had fun!

Christmas Time

"Something about Christmas time.
Something about Christmas time.
That makes you wish it was Christmas everyday.
See the joy in the children's eyes.
The way that the old folks smile.
Says that Christmas will never go away."
- Bryan Adams






We have been celebrating Christmas now for over a week. Between school recitals, family visiting from out of town, and special dinners at many houses...Christmas is ongoing here! I hope everyone has enjoyed these days full of laughter, love, and happiness with family and friends.







And to think with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, Ms. Pink is already 1 month old. It seems the more kids you have, the faster the time flies! I need to learn to sit down and enjoy the seconds...maybe in 2008 ;)



Check out the boys last Christmas!

Toyland

"Toyland, toyland
little girl and boy land
when you dwell within it
you are ever happy there!

Childhood toyland
mystical merry toyland
once you pass it's borders
you can never return again!"
- Perry Como




Today was the 22nd Annual Big Texas Toy Run. Benefiting the Mental Health-Mental Retardation (MHMR) of Tarrant County, Dallas MetroCare, and other children's charities in the Metroplex, thousands of toys are distributed to underprivileged and challenged children. The unique way in which these toys are collected is what makes me smile.




Thousands (and I am not kidding, they were expecting 70,000 today) of motorcyclist meet up in downtown Grapevine, Dallas, and Fort Worth. At exactly 1:00 pm the Grapevine rally heads south down 360, Dallas west on I-30, and FW east on I-30 to eventually meet up in the middle at the Arlington Convention Center. Here the toys or cash is collected from each biker to add to the toy drive. We saw trikes, huge plush toys, gift wrapped boxes, and sporting goods all strapped to the back of the motorcycles. While most riders were wearing their leather to hide from the winter chill, some were showing their spirit with Santa outfits, reindeer horns, elf suits, and garland decked on the bikes.




This event is known to be "One of a Kind...This run is one of a kind, it has no official sponsorship from any source and is the only run known to begin in three cities simultaneously and converge in one place." And no matter the weather "This is a rain or shine event." In the past the riders have fought sleet, snow and freezing temperatures. Their thought is 'Santa does it, so we should too.'







We watched the southbound bikers from a bridge over 360. They all waved at our boys, who also wore their Santa hats.I'll be anxious to hear the true count of participants from today. We had a full 10 minutes of non-stop bikers pass under us at highway speed...and that was only a 1/3 of the gang!

Candy Man

"Who can take a sunrise,
sprinkle it with dew,
Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two?
The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can.
The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love,
and makes the world taste good."
- Sammy Davis Jr.








And yet another fun 'Knuffin Around' tradition at our house, well at least for 2 years in a row now. Ever since I bought the kits, the boys have been begging me to let them decorate the houses. Since things have finally slowed down a little bit and being house bounded with yet another day of rain, it was decided today was the big day. I am unsure if more candy was consumed or put on their houses, but either way we are looking at a sugar-high night. We are not Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart here, but compared to last year we are definitely improving.

This Train

"This train is a clean train,
you know this train.
This train is a clean train,
I said this train.
This train is a clean train,
everybody’s riding in Jesus’ name.
Because this train is a clean train,
I said this train."
- Randy Travis



As Christmas quickly approaches, new traditions are made and old ones are celebrated. One of our favorite is to visit The Trains At North Park. There are more than 35 'O' gauge trains traveling on a magical journey across America, past a miniature Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore, and on past the Dallas skyline before taking in Times Square and Washington, D.C. The exhibit does not change much from year to year, but the boys do not seem to mind as they enjoy the display. All profits are donated to the children and families of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

See our visit last year!

Birthday

"You say it's your birthday.
It's my birthday too, yeah.
They say it's you birthday.
We're gonna have a good time.
I'm glad it's your birthday.
Happy birthday to you.

Yes we're going to a party, party..."
-The Beatles



This weekend Big had his first 'real' birthday party, celebrating 4 years of a wonderful life! He chose to have his party at the local fire station. With 24 kids, 5 firemen, countless parents, 12 pizzas and 4 dozen cupcakes, the party was truly a success. Even though I started preparing for this party months ago, knowing life would be busy with the arrival of Little E, I still was not ready. But after a late night of baking, making party favors, and gathering decorations I still managed a good nights rest.


Unfortunately I was not able to mingle with most of the guests as I ran around from activity to activity, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. The kids all sported their fire hats and badges as they blew their fire truck whistles and completed their foam sticker fire truck craft. After 90 minutes of food and fun, the kids left on a sugar high while exhausted from the bounce house with Big Red and Hot Tamales as favors.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

"You better watch out.
You better not cry.
Better not pout.
I'm telling you why.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
He's making a list.
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice.
Santa Claus is coming to town."
- Frank Sinatra





Every Saturday morning in our house is known as 'Pancake Saturday.' There is a little jingle we sing and we all sit down at the table for homemade pumpkin pancakes and bacon, a little tradition that started over a year ago in Helsinki. Many family and friends have even joined us a time or two for the meal and the recipe has been passed around.





This Saturday we were able to combine the beginning of the Christmas season with Pancake Saturday as we headed over to Fire Station #1 for their annual breakfast with Santa. After a early morning breakfast, Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, Rudolph, and even Frosty arrived in the open field on 3 choppers. You can only imagine the excitement in all the children's faces as they exited the helicopters and greeted each one with candy. We did not stay around long enough to fight the crowd and sit on Santa's lap, as Little E was due for a feed. But she sure did great on her first BIG outing at only 6 days old!

Today's photos!

Ordinary Miracle

"It's not that unusual.
When everything is beautiful.
It's just another
Ordinairy miracle today."
- Sarah McLachlan







"Princess Pink"
7 lbs 14 oz
19 1/4 inches

The Final Countdown

"We're leaving together,
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back,
To earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again?

It's the final countdown..."
- Europe





I have not been a lazy mom the past few weeks, keeping the boys from fun & educational outings. Life has just been REALLY busy as we quickly approach the countdown of our newest arrival. Lets just say the house is decorated for Christmas, all presents are bought and wrapped, envelopes are pre-addressed for both Christmas and the birth announcements, we are ready to celebrate Big's 4th birthday in 2 weeks, the baptism is scheduled, laundry done, house cleaned, and Daddy comes home tomorrow! And to think my OB told me to take it easy towards the end...I have not even mentioned my work schedule.






I have found the time to get drawn by my dear friend from Finland and take a photo session from a friend who used to work at the hospital with me. As for the boys they have been busy playing at the neighborhood parks, baking, doing arts and crafts, and anything that keeps me from relaxing on the couch!

Monster Mash

"He did the mash.
He did the monster mash.
The monster mash.
It was a graveyard smash.
He did the mash.
It caught on in a flash.
He did the mash.
He did the monster mash."
- Bobby "Boris" Pickett







Maybe not any monsters coming from our front door this year, but the boys had a blast on their first REAL experience of trick-or-treating! And it was even more special to share it with one of their best girls from Finland. We started the day off with a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. Knowing Wednesdays are half price days, the crowd is usually larger, but still not bad being the middle of the school year. But when we drove into the parking lot and saw over 20 yellow school buses, I would have paid full price and come on another day to avoid the lines. Since the strollers were loaded and picnics packed, we still continued on. Rather than visiting the primate cage first, we took a left and toured the zoo backward, never encountering a class. After 2 hours of awing over the lions, tigers, and bears our zoo visit was complete.



Then as usual, we hopped across the street for our picnic lunch and the jumped on the Forest Park Miniature Railroad train ride. I know I have written about this before, but this 40 minute ride is by far the best. We always jump off at the concession stand to grab our routine popcorn and water before we continue across the Trinity River bridge one last time. Then we rushed home to get an hour of shut-eye in before our successful Halloween night.

Jungle Boogie

"Get Down, Get Down.
Get Down, Get Down...

Jungle Boogie.
Jungle Boogie...

Get Down, Get Down.
Get Down, Get Down..."
- Kool & The Gang






Today's field trip was to the Dallas World Aquarium. Confused on why they call it an aquarium rather than a rain forest or jungle, it is still one of my favorite attractions in Dallas. The path begins in the tree tops so you are level with the Toucans and monkeys as they live freely in their man-made environment. After winding through the forest you are surprised with a variety of birds, turtles, otters, spiders, crocks, snakes, and even a bat cage.



Only then do you enter the tanks, or aquarium. Sting rays, manatees, sea turtles, and sharks eagerly wait your arrival. Next is ten 2,000-gallon tanks that display present marine life from around the world - Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Bahamas, British Columbia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan. Finally, escape outside to the penguin exhibit or to the Yucatan's gulf coast to see milk snakes, tree frogs, and owls.

Today's photos!

Big Balls In Cowtown

"Workin' on the railroad
Sleepin' on the ground
Eatin' saltine crackers
Ten cents a pound
Big Ball's in Cowtown
We'll all go down
Big Ball's in Cowtown
We'll dance around."
- George Strait






We have been busy this past week with our good friends visiting us from Finland. Fossil Rim to Hall's Pumpkin Patch, we have revisited some of our favorite places trying to give them a taste of Texas and the autumn spirit. Since this is their first trip to the Lone Star State, we had to truck it down to the Fort Worth Stockyards for some Texas bling, cowboy hats, and belt buckles.




At 1130 and 1600 daily, the Stockyard's host a cattle drive. Not quite the stampede I was expecting, 10 longhorn slowly walked the brick streets as they were guided by real cowboys on horses. The kids were in awe so the trip was well worth it. Then we ended the afternoon with REAL Mexican food at one of our favorite restaurants El Asadero.

The Pumpkin on the Vine

"The pumpkin on the vine,
The pumpkin on the vine.
I picked the one that weighed a ton
And that's the one that's mine.
I carved two funny eyes,
A mouth that's oversized.
The other gook,
My mother took,
For making pumpkin pie."








Just like most families in America, visiting any pumpkin patch during the month of October is mandatory. And if you are lucky enough to visit the same patch year after year, the collage of pictures collected is a great way to watch your children grow. We headed about 2 miles down the road to Hall's Pumpkin Farm. Between the corn maze, hayrides, slides, picture taking, hay house, animal feeding, tractor riding, and of course pumpkin shopping...a few hours passes before your eyes. We were blessed with a tease of fall-like weather initially. Then the Texas sun heated up the day.




In the DFW area, quite a few pumpkin farms reside. The cities of Frisco, Mansfield, Gainesville, and Flower Mound all claim to have the best "patch" in the area. Just as long as you make your way to one annually and sit with the gourds, your duty is done. Pack a picnic lunch, make sure your camera battery is full, and enjoy your day!

Today's photos!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

"The stars at night, are big and bright,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Texas."
- Gene Autry







We were brave enough today to fight the crowds at the Texas State Fair. Even though it is a Monday, Dallas ISD along with many other school districts in the area, had 'fair day' today so the crowds were comparable to any weekend. What used to be a yearly outing for less than $100 has all changed with the age of my boys. Money is no longer spent on cold beer and a Fletcher's Corn Dog.




Today our tickets disappeared in the Kids Midway as the boys rode the smallest of roller coasters. Airplanes, trains, fire trucks, whales, cars, and motorcycles were the themes of the smaller rides (36 inches in height). At an average of $4 a ride per child, we were at the ticket booth again cashing in a few more bills. The boys kept a smile on thier face so I guess it was all worth it. Maybe they only need to think the fair is every other year :)



And the main reason many visitors fight the crowds at the Fair are for the latest and greatest comings from the deep fried grease! We stopped at the first place winner's booth to taste 'Mama's Fried Sweet Potato Pie,' but they were all out (at 1130 in the morning)! So our only sample from the debuts this year was the 'Deep Fried Latte.' It was good but nothing to write home about. Here is the complete list from this year:


Deep Fried Latte - Fried pastry, cappuccino ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and instant coffee powder.
Fried Cookie Dough - Chilled cookie dough, battered and fried.
Fried Guacamole Bites. Scoop of guacamole, breaded and fried, served with ranch dressing or salsa.
Country Pride Peach Cobbler on a Stick - Peach cobbler with dumplings rolled in pastry dough and fried, covered in brown sugar and cinnamon, and skewered.
Fernie's Fried Chili Frito Burrito - Chili and Fritos inside flour tortilla, fried and topped with choice of cheese sauce, shredded cheddar, jalapeños, sour cream, hot sauce, and onions.
B.W.'s Original Fried Banana Pudding - Banana pudding inside fried tortilla, topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar or cinnamon.
Mama's Fried Sweet Potato Pie - Pie filling inside flour tortilla, fried and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

Today's photos!

A Wink And A Smile

"I remember the days
Of just keeping time
Of hanging around
In sleepy towns forever.
Back roads empty for miles.

Well, you can't have a dream
And cut it to fit
But when I saw you, I knew
We'd go together
Like a wink and a smile."
- Harry Connick Jr.





Today we headed north on I-35 to visit a great friend in Oklahoma and to meet Baby Jack. After the boys played with tractors and cars, got dirty in the sand box, and satisfied their appetite with pizza, we visited the Arbuckle Wilderness. Much like Fossil Rim, hungry animals rush to your window in search of food. The 5 mile safari ride takes you through the habitats of deer, cows, zebras, camels, ostriches, etc. The Arbuckle Wilderness offers much more during the summer months (Memorial to Labor Day weekend) including Go carts, Bumper Boats, camel rides, and Paddle boats for additional fees. It is located 2 hours north of DFW.




I think we were just as excited to share our outing with someone else as we were to visit the safari. After all the invites I have sent out the past 10 weeks, someone finally took us up on the offer. Our 3 boys hung out the back window throwing feed at the 'distant' animals, until their snouts came within reaching distance from the tiny fingers. Then they all rushed towards my lap screaming! All we could do is laugh.

Today's photos!

Fly Away

"I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly

I'd fly above the trees
Over the seas in all degrees
To anywhere I please

Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah."
- Lenny Kravitz




Only open during the weekends, the boys were spoiled with their second airplane museum this week. The Vintage Flying Museum is located in north Fort Worth next to Meacham Airport. Probably not a popular destination for preschoolers, the museum is filled with artifacts from past wars. We did receive a personal tour from a Veteran dressed in his khakis, eager to share his experiences and knowledge from the second World War. Twenty aircraft are on exhibit including several which are extremely rare and historic. Additional displays include a dedicated reciprocal and jet engine room, an FAA Aviation Education Resource Center, WWII memorabilia and artifact exhibits, a unique aircraft model exhibit and gift shop. While touring the hanger, our guide did let the boys sit in the pit of an airplane. As you can tell Big had a grin from ear-to-ear!





Their most prized exhibit and the reason this museum was started is "Chuckie," a B-17.

Today's photos!