Dino Pit

One of our favorite places to hang out is the Nature Science Center.  However, since the older kids are in school, they don't get to go very often.

After checking out the animals, we headed for the Dino Pit... because who doesn't like to dig in the dirt?

State Capitol

Our next adventure took us to the State Capitol.

We just spent a day here about a month ago, but my kids had been asking to come back.

Since our last visit was spent exploring the inside of the building, we decided to do a tour of the grounds today - esp. since the day was overcast and cool and it felt great to be outside.

So we walked around learning about all of the monuments (there are more than 20!)

And were entertained by the local wildlife.

And managed to get caught in a typical Texas downpour!

Once the rain ended, we headed over to Mueller Park to dry off...

And rest a bit.

Another fulfilling adventure!

Summer Fun

We recently discovered the Austin Summer Fun checklist, so we've been cruising around town finding new things to do and rediscovering old favorites.

 We started by spending a rainy afternoon playing hide and seek at Cabela's

 The tree blind was especially popular. 

I sat and relaxed in a chair across the walkway and watched people's faces as they passed the "talking" tree :)

And of course, we had to take our picture with the Texas Ranger out in front.
We also enjoyed strolling through the aquarium and animal displays, but I don't seem to have gotten any pictures of those.

All in all, a fun way to spend an otherwise dreary day!

Cub Scout Day Camp

This week was Cub Scout Day Camp for Lincoln. 

Our den signed up for the Gizmos, Gadgets, and Goo science camp out at Emma Long Park.

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have of Lincoln from the week - shooting off his paper air rocket.

I volunteered during a couple of the days and signed the other kids up for the sibling camp on those days.  I was really impressed, they were able to do all the things the scouts were doing!

And I was able to get more pictures since these were the groups I was helping with...

Fishing - Leah caught a minnow :)

Canoeing - this was frustrating for Peter because his partner kept forgetting to paddle.

If you've ever paddled a canoe, you know that if you're in the back, you're just steering - not propelling - so they just kept going in circles.

BB guns - Leah and Peter did this at the same time

Archery

Eli even got in on the fun!

Swimming in the river and building volcanoes

 And shooting off air rockets - his went really far!

It was a super fun week and we were worn out by the end!

Basketball Camp

Lincoln spent this week at Basketball Camp with his good friend JD.

They've been going to this camp together since 1st grade and always have a lot of fun.

This year Lincoln was working on being more aggressive on the court.  He struggled a little at the beginning of the week, but by the end was doing much better.  He and his dad have decided to start playing together in the morning once or twice a week to keep up his skills.

JD and his mom also took Lincoln to Gattitown one day as a belated birthday present.  It is sometimes amazing to me how well these two boys get along.  They've known each other since they were babies and always look forward to the time they're able to spend together.