Train ride to hail

I received a flier from the botanical garden, with promises of 'Old Time' music at the heritage farm. So of course, we packed up a lunch and headed over to check it out. (I am so glad we have a membership there...it is well worth it!) The music was indeed good and we enjoyed seeing the cow, sheep, goats, horses, and chickens, plus vegetable garden and orchards. However, we also watched the train go by (it goes from the zoo to the botanical gardens and aquarium...about 20 minutes one way I believe). Sophia hasn't ridden the train since last fall, so we thought it would be fun to take it for a round trip.

And it was fun...even when it started hailing. It is amazing here how one minute the sun is shining, then a rain cloud rolls in and there is either a few drops or a downpour for a few minutes (almost 20 today), and then it is gone again. Luckily we saw the raincloud start to roll in before we got on the train and opted for a car with a roof...though with my fair skinned baby I probably wouldn't have gone for the open car anyway. The first few drops were heavenly after a long hot afternoon, but then they got bigger and suddenly the roof wasn't helping much and I noticed a few pea-sized chunks of ice bounce onto Tessa's stroller. I felt a little sorry for the poor people huddled together in the open car, but then again, it had already started raining by the time they got on and shouldn't they know better?

We all laughed at the rain, at ourselves for taking a joy ride in it, and at how fun it was to cuddle together for warmth and protection, even as we were pelted with rain and hail from between the rails of the train (we were in the cattle car). Luckily, Sophia and Tessa thought it was very funny, though they both allowed us to cover them up as best we could...even putting Tessa in the stroller and covering her completely with the shade at one point. Then the rain stopped...the train ride ended...and we went home with lots of fun pictures. As always, you can click on any photo to see it larger.

Pooh-san...then and now

Poohsan is Winnie the Pooh's affectionate nickname in Japan. One of my former students (thanks Ayumi!) gave Sophia a Poohsan outfit when she was born, which has now been passed down to Tessa. Well, she was wearing it the other day and we all had lots of fun taking her picture. Just because I love to see every picture imaginable of my girls, I looked back to find one of Sophia wearing it. She (above) was about 2 months older than Tessa (below) is now in these pictures, and look how much more hair she had! I don't think Tessa will be catching up so soon. But Sophia's didn't have that stylish way of sticking straight up like Tessa's...no matter how much I wet it, brush it, or pat it down!Tessa wanted the nectarine first, not the cereal!She still loves looking out windows and sticking her tongue out!

Here Tessa was delighted that she had found her sister under the blanket.

Jump, ABQ Jump!

Sister's shoes and sister's booster~I'm ready to go!

Another new fun place we've recently discovered is ABQ Jump. They have 7 bounce houses and giant inflatable slides, fun for Mommys as well as kids! The sisters and several of their friends loved it...and we will definitely be back again. Pictures were tricky because the kids were constantly in motion. Getting that picture at the end was the toughest...hot, hungry, excited kids + a slippery slide = no good picture! But plenty of good memories.

Patrick was unsure of those big slides at first, but he sure got the hang of it quickly!
My little daredevil Sophia had no fear at all...she liked going down head first and later told me that sliding down the ladder side was fun too!

Summer Reading Program Picnic

Sophia received second place prize for most books read in her age group at the base library. She got a $15 gift certificate for a book store and we all had fun at the picnic. Stanley the Scorpion was there, the mascot for the hockey team. Tessa thought he was quite interesting, though wasn't sure if she should touch him or not. The kids also got lots of little prizes and had a great time.

Summer Nights

Sweet sisters

beautiful park


don't fly away blanket!

The Rio Grande BioPark , which includes the zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, and Tingley Beach (lakes, we're in NM remember?) has a program called Summer Nights. You can go find a nice spot at the garden, bring a picnic dinner and listen to a concert. We've only made it there once this year, mostly due to Chuck's school and busy schedule, but it was a good time. We tried to check out the Butterfly Pavilion again, but it was closed so the girls and I walked around the lake instead, while Chuckolate kept our picnic blanket from flying away. The sisters immediately joined him when we returned...resulting in a fun picture. Of course, Tessa was ready for bed before the end of the concert (8pm) and we snuck out early to avoid the rush for the parking lot.

yummy mango yogurt drinks

time to go home

I Scream Ice Cream

This is one of my new favorite places in ABQ. It is a toy store with ice cream, no it is an ice cream parlor with a toy store inside...actually even better, there is delicious ice cream and toys to play with! The girls were in love. Tessa climbed over toys, then came to see me for a bite of chocolate ice cream with animal crackers on top. Big sister had chocolate chip ice cream with jelly beans...umm, delicious? Here they are with friends Madison and Gavin, enjoying the toys after the ice cream was all gone.