Go fly a kite!

Max and Scarlett got new kites and we headed over to Lake Cliff Park in our neighborhood to test them out.  (Quick history lesson:  In the early 1900s, Lake Cliff was the site of Texas's largest amusement complex, featuring carnival rides and attractions, dance pavilions, three theaters (opera, live performance, and motion pictures), a huge pool, and a bathhouse).

Chris tests out the Barbie kite.

Next up:  the Spiderman kite.

Max takes a quick break to climb to the top of the rocket ship.

Scarlett was a kite-flying pro in no time.

Max takes another break to pick dandelions.

Note the Dallas skyline in the background (including Reunion tower with the "ball" on top and the tall Bank of America building where I used to work on the 54th floor).

Chris or Daddy?

This is a video from back in December.  Max and Scarlett got into an argument about whether Chris's real name is "Chris" (according to Max) or "Daddy" (accodring to Scarlett).  Max won't back down that his name is Chris, but then when I asked what my name is, he says it's Mommy.  Inconsistent AND adorable.

My Little Bluebonnets

I have somehow managed to never get bluebonnet pictures of my two little Texans until this year.  Rather than have to hunt down a spot on the side of the highway somewhere, we were lucky enough to get some beautiful shots at Grandma and Paw's land as well as at Mike and Lisa's house over Easter weekend.

The first set is at Grandma and Paw's.  Max was NOT having it, but I managed to get some really sweet pictures of Scarlett despite the fact that I was carrying a very clingy 30+ pound two-year-old and taking photos with just one hand.  And lucky for Scarlett, Grandma and Paw decided not to press charges for state-flower-picking.  (Turns out the whole "it's illegal to pick bluebonnets" thing is a myth.)

The next set is from Mike and Lisa's Easter Party at their house in Spring Branch.  This time, Max was ready to get his bluebonnet on (now that he was fueled by jellybeans and chocolate).

New Scooters!

Scarlett and Max got scooters about a month ago, and they've been a big hit since the minute they laid eyes on them.  (Max was in tears leaving the store because he thought he was taking the floor model home, not a lame box with an unassembled scooter inside)

Max literally jumping for joy as Chris opened up his scooter!

The test drive.

A rare photo request from Scarlett:  "Mommy, take my picture while I stand here like this."

And now for a few videos ...

Max and Scarlett's inaugural rides:

Scarlett announces Max:

Scarlett the speed demon one month later:

Take a Drive on the Wild Side

Over Spring Break, the kids, BB, and I headed to Fossil Rim near Glen Rose, Texas.  Fossil Rim is a wildlife conservation park with over 1,000 animals from 50 species covering 1,700 acres.  You drive your car through slowly (veeeerrrry slowly as it turns out on the first day of Spring Break ... we were not the only ones with the wise idea to head to Fossil Rim).  With our food pellets in hand and the windows rolled down, we headed out in search of gazelle, bison, deer, wildebeests, zebras, emus, giraffes, and more.      

Here's Max practicing his Sopranos look.  "Hey animals, you gotta eat from our car and not all the others, capish?"

Totally unsuccessful group shot.  Only BB is cooperating.  Scarlett spotted a must-have rock, and Max is on the lookout for wild rhinos.

There was a petting zoo halfway through the drive where we stopped to stretch our legs (or in Scarlett's case, stand on one of them).

Striking the flamingo pose with the goat.  Because a sure-fire way to impress a goat is to pretend to be a flamingo.

Face painting.

Now for our animal sightings beyond the confines of the petting zoo.  The giraffes weren't interested in coming up to our car (they were probably too full), but we did spot several just hanging around.

Some unidentified creature gets a snack from BB and a skeptical look from Max.

Big horned sheep.  I think?

Zebra.  Yes, that is definitely a zebra.

And finally, the emu in all his glory.  Love the hairdo.