Weekend Wrap-up

We had a productive weekend. It was a good balance between work and play.

Friday, the kids and I drove into Denton and we rode the train into Dallas with our Classical Conversations group. The ride wasn't bad at all and it was nice to be on there with friends. It took a solid hour and a half on the train. I made sure I did not have a lot of water prior to our ride!

Here are some of the older kids while waiting to connect to the Dallas train. Not sure what Ally was doing!!

When we arrived in downtown Dallas it was too early to get into the Dallas Museum of Arts (DMA), so we walked over to Klyde Warren Park for a few minutes.

We walked back to the DMA and went to the hands-on section (C-3 Space) where the kids got to create their own art. Jase is tracing some Dallas architecture.

Maebry is practicing her Old English!

Allyson has started becoming interested in learning cursive lately. She can write her own name, but that's about it. We will start working on it more this spring. 

Ally's drawing of the dress on display.

Another one of Jase's creations.

Kids making objects out of cardboard, tape, twist ties, popsicle sticks and their imagination!

Allyson and Mae with Nina.

He was focused!

Allyson has told us on numerous occasions that she wants to be an artist when she grows up. Her mind works completely different then mind. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her.

Her creations: basket and something with wings! I forgot what that was, but I did remember it had wings!

Our group with our director, Mrs. Frankie!

 Mae and Moana! Yes, Moana went everywhere with us on Friday!!

Checking out some of the ancient instruments.

Water Lilies by Claude Monet. A few weeks ago we studies Monet and the kids did replica of this painting, so it was super cool to see it on display.

Here is Finn working on his Water Lilies painting in January!

The artists we have been studying this 6 six weeks have been Impressionists!

The girls wanted their picture taken under this cool painting by Henri Jean Guillaume Martin, "Corner of a House" circa 1930s. 

Just like big sis!

After the DMA, we headed back over to Klyde Warren Park for lunch. Most of us pitched in and order pizza from a local pizza parlor. 

When Shawn found out where we would be all day, he told me about an office close by that has a cool pendulum inside and that we should check it out. Lo and behold it was literally across the street!

We gathered around and watched the bob swing back and forth and back and forth.

This was right next to the pendulum and is a great explanation of how it all works! Pretty interesting!

After about 15-20 minutes, one of the pegs finally got knocked over! And the crowd went wild! I'm sure the people working in the lobby were ready for us to go! HA!

We walked back to the train station to head home.

She really did a great job all day long. I didn't bring the stroller, so she walked most of the day, but she didn't last very long once we got situated on the train! Do you see Moana creeping in our picture? LOL!

Saturday morning we woke up, loaded up our vehicles and trailer and headed to the storage for our first drop-off.

Putting the first few items in the storage building.

We came home and walked across the street to a birthday party. Our sweet neighbor turned 1! We have had the privilege to watch Cale a couple of times recently and the kids just love him. Cute sports theme party!

 Cale digging in!

Ally had to get a closer look!

Ahhh!! He had it everywhere! SO cute! Even today Maebry told me "Cale blue nose" meaning he had it up his nose! I remember these days! It sure does fly by!

Later that evening, we dropped the kids off at church for DATE NIGHT! We didn't do anything too crazy or fancy, but it was nice being together. We ran some errands, ate at Chuy's and might have had a scoop of ice cream!

Sunday morning Shawn ran another load over to the storage before church, making that our 3rd trip this weekend. Progress! Here are our excited kids when Mama asked for a group photo at church. Little Finn was NOT having it.

At lunch Ally told us all about Jesus' family tree, which she learned about in Sunday school. Here is a little clip of her! Pretty impressive!

We ate at McAlister's Deli. If you are reading this and have kids, do you know about this place?!? $.99 kid meals when you dine-in. Our whole family can eat for under $20, which is amazing. We usually all get water, which keeps the bill low too. There is one right by our new house, super excited about that.

And let me leave you with a family picture that Allyson drew today in Sunday school. I guess since they were talking about Jesus' family tree, they encouraged them to draw their own. See her name in cursive, love it! Shawn asked her what was going on with his mouth and she told him that was his teeth!! Hilarious. And his hair too, so funny. She told Finn "I gave you a mohawk!" Great weekend!