When we got back from our little adventure, Noonie asked me how many years we had been doing our Mother-Daughter {now Grands too!} trip, and we crunched the numbers and realized this was our 25th year!!
Yes, we started doing these when we moved to the U.S. from Puerto Rico. I was 12 years old!! Noonie was super busy with her medical practice and these weeks were such a fun way for us to reconnect without any distractions. We've done big trips and little trips, close destinations and far away adventures, but the most important fact has never changed...these weeks are all about being together and having fun.
This year we stayed close and just spent time in Dallas and McKinney, TX. When we spotted this crazy van while antiquing, we just had to take a pic!
The little pumpkin was all about the fairy houses!
But this is what they really thought about the whole antiquing process...hahaha!
One thing we can always agree on...any hibachi grill!
The Dallas World Aquarium is a fun little treasure right in the middle of the city.
The otters were soooooo cute!!
This girl and her flamingoes!!
I don't even remember what this is, but I'm sure I had nightmares for days!!
I love all the mosaics!
You know you sang the song in your head!! ha!
Crazy little seahorse!
We all loved the tiny penguins!!
Such a fun morning!
We usually have lunch at the American Girl Bistro and then mosey on down to Legoland, but we wanted to try different things this time, so we ended up checking the Magic Time Machine.
It was...interesting. It's pretty dark in there. The salad bar car was fun and the littles had fun, but I have to be honest, all Noonie and I kept thinking was how there's no way they can really clean in there with all the nooks and cranies full of...STUFF.
The waiters dress up as old-timey characters. Ours was Velma from Scooby Doo and our booth was a velvet box of valentine chocolates.
This caricature artist was so neat though!! He was FAST! We even had him draw our Jaxon from a pic on my phone so we could surprise Lance!
And apparently Noonie and I need to visit an eyebrow aesthetician ASAP - ha!!!
I've been wanting to visit the George W. Bush Library at SMU for some time and we finally made it happen!
{can you tell it was H-O-T??!}
The interactive kids' iphone tour gave them a second wind - whew!
I love this moment and what it represents. Tears streaming down. Complete and solemn silence. I can't even imagine the memories flooding his mind. Freedom is never free.
Hudson for President! The Oval Office was a big hit with Hudson!
So glad we were able to squeeze this visit in!
Of course the littles favorite thing was our stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX. Our first time too! We saved it for the last 3 days and they were on C L O U D 9!!
Noonie wasn't too sure what to think of the whole thing - ha!
In character...
We MagiQuested for hours...H O U R S!! Up and down 8 flights of stairs. I definitely got in my exercise!!
The indoor-outdoor waterpark was a big hit too, but when I asked them what their favorite part was they both said, "MagiQuest!!", followed by the Lottsa Water Dump Zone!
I love that Noonie is always up for any adventure!!
This is the hurry-up-and-smile-for-mama-so-we-can-go-back-to-doing-fun-stuff pose!
It was so nice to do the whole water park thing without having to be in the 100+ weather!
One night after all the stair climbing, we piled up on the bed and decided to make silly faces. Not exactly sure why Noonie has a full-on mafia face, but whatev! ;)
So wonderful to be as wEiRD as you want with people who love you!
Loading up for the ride home!
#sugarhigh #probablynotthebestidea
Such a fun time! The littles were already planning their next trip even before we were in the car!
Noonie and I squeezed in a little shopping and then we called it a week!
Apparently I'm drawn to green?? I think half the stuff I bought had green somewhere on there!
Here's to the next 25 years, Noonie! Love you and thank you for starting this fun tradition so many years ago!!
I have to admit Summer didn't use to be my favorite. But then we had kids and all that changed!
I love, love all the fun stuff we get to do during Summer break, especially all the little ordinary things that end up always being my very favorite.
Being able to say yes to impromptu "sleepovers" in the middle of the week...
Going on froyo dates with my mini-me...
...and discovering new playgrounds with my favorite little fella!
Family game nights way past their bedtime...
...and Saturday morning fun with Daddy!
Trying out new things...
...but always going back to old favorites.
Waking up super early for Summer Intensives and working HARD...
...but then celebrating with sushi afterward - yum!
Getting Mama + Daddy all to yourself because big sister did NOT want to go see gory dinosaurs on the big screen makes it all the more special...
...but the moment you get home it's all back to this because you really are best friends!
It can't be all fun and no work...or can it??
LOTS of these because it's 100 degrees!!
...and uh, hello BEACH!
But what's Summer without a little peach pie from our favorite diner??! M'mmmm!
VBS is always something they look forward to...
All these littles singing their hearts out for Jesus is just the sweetest thing ever!
Summer playdates with your girlfriends...
...even if it means little brothers crash the party - ha!
Changing out of swimsuits long enough to go see your cousin's dance performance...
...and staying way, way, WAY past your bedtime!
So whether it's a pizza date on a hot Summer night...
Or a girls' shopping excursion...
I love, love, love spending all this time with you!!
Especially when Daddy can join in all the fun!!
I'll try not to be too jealous of your gorgeous sun-kissed Summer glow...
...even if all I have to show for it is THIS! Ouch!
I hope when you think 'Summer' these are the moments that pop into your minds.
Not just the big vacations, but the simple moments spent together laughing... playing... having fun.
Love you both dearly, my sweet babies!
Mama
