The Fourth at Surfside Beach

Dan's parents came out to stay with us for the Fourth of July. I really wanted to spend America's birthday at the beach, and I'm glad everyone else went along for the ride! The day before the holiday, Neli and Dwayne cooked up some yummy pastes (empanadas for you Argentines out there) and potato salad. Then I packed up lunches for the kids and we decided to try out Surfside Beach rather than any of the other spots along the Gulf Coast. I'm so glad we did! The beach had some great waves -- my pictures don't capture it -- and it was a blast. While it was HOT back in Richmond and Houston, we had a nice breeze at the ocean's edge, and with the umbrellas and water to cool us off, it turned out to be a great day.

Sophia started playing in the sand by our car before we even got to the beach. It seems Surfside is a popular daycation spot; cars lined the beach for miles. There were Texas canopy tents set up and people flying kites, throwing horse shoes, and even barbecuing by their trucks. I thought while we played in the sand and surf, "I love this country!"

Nathan played a game of "digging the holes." When he spotted holes in the sand, he'd start to dig down and then move on to the next one. I told Nathan crabs might be below, so I think he wanted to find one. We didn't see any crabs, but Dan swam far out and saw a fish, and I saw a small fish as I headed out to the waves too. There were many seashells underfoot.

Sophie did not like having sandy hands when she wanted to eat crackers. While Miss Sophie busied herself with knocking down sandcastles, she picked up a cracker she had set down on the sand earlier and ate it up (see video below). A little sand never hurt anybody, right?

At first Sophia stuck to digging and playing in the sand. She warmed up to the water after we'd been there for a while -- after Dan and I had floated out in the deep water and returned -- and it was time to head out. Nathan's exuberance and invitation to play must have helped her overcome her initial hesitation. They had so much fun -- watch the video below. We had to finally drag her to the car! I'm glad we spent the Fourth with Grandma and Grandpa Rogers. We enjoy their company, and the kids think every day with Grandma and Grandpa is a holiday. We got some fireworks and had fun firing them off in the night sky. I love this land. God bless the USA!

Quotes of the week

"I want to marry my sister so I can live with you and Daddy forever." -- Nathan, who may change his tune when he's a teenager (which is why I have to record that he once wanted to stay with us forever -- and he'll want to marry someone else by then too).

"I'm coming to get you!" -- Sophia, who was coming toward me in our neighborhood swimming pool. Her whole face lit up as she said this. She is so ... ALIVE.

Grateful moment


I am grateful for magical storytelling. Dan and I saw Wicked for my birthday present (a little early) on June 27 in San Antonio in the Majestic Theatre. It was spectacular. The musical mesmerized me for those few hours. There weren't necessarily standout songs, nothing that would stick in your head or move you to tears, as in Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables. What made it wonderful was the story of the relationship between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. The brilliant dialogue and development of the characters made this a joy to watch. I'm also impressed that Dan figured out the rest of the plot by the intermission. Bravo!

Space Center Houston

Ever since we arrived in Houston, there is one place I wanted to go for sure -- the Space Center. Our family went a while ago, and we all enjoyed it. The above picture shows a replica of the Endeavor Space Shuttle. Dan had visited here before, but he said they had added many features since that time, such as a giant play area for kids. The Space Center also had the added bonus of a Star Wars exhibit, including THE R2-D2 and C-3PO from the Star Wars films on display.


Dan told me our first must-see activity should be the NASA Tram Tour. This took us behind the scenes of the Johnson Space Center. We passed by the Rocket Park that contains this warehouse for Apollo 18, which never went to space. The Saturn V rockets were used for the Apollo missions. Even though Apollo 18 was completed and ready for voyage, it was canceled due to budget restrictions. I guess the government figured NASA accomplished their main objectives, but it's a shame that more astronauts and scientists weren't able to go (especially when it's all bought and paid for and then just sitting there). We first went to an area where they had many astronauts pictured across a wall as we watched a short film. Then we went upstairs to see replicas of the International Space Station and a space shuttle. I noticed the huge white containers of liquid nitrogen outside of some buildings, and there were some 1970's-era office buildings. Then we went to the Rocket Park, the last stop on the Tram Tour.

This picture shows Dan and the kids near Apollo 18. Also pictured is a tour guide who said NASA plans to get another mission to the moon by 2020 and to have a base station (permanent presence) on the moon by 2030. NASA also set a projective date to have a human on Mars by 2030. Dan told her he had his doubts since our government has over a trillion dollars in debt. Our sweet guide said she was meeting with a senator and would make a good case for the space program. Since rivalry is what spawned the mission to the moon, I have a brilliant idea: Why don't we start a Mission to Mars race and challenge North Korea and Iran, taunting them with threats like, "You can never beat us!" Their leaders would refuse to lose and would abandon the nuclear arms race in favor of the Mission to Mars race. We would all benefit from the exploration of Mars, and the world would feel safer -- for a while. (I should be an adviser to the president.) It was cool to see the Apollo capsule and to read about the various Apollo missions along the wall. On the way back, our tram stopped near trees that were planted in honor of the crew members who died in the 1986 Challenger and 2003 Columbia explosions. We had a moment of silence to honor their memories.

The kids (and adults) liked the Mission Kidtrol area, where people at stations upstairs appear on the monitors below and buttons change the images. There were other hands-on exhibits, including small rovers driven by remote control.

The kids high-fived Darth Vader and a storm trooper at the Star Wars exhibit. The kids thought they were pretty cool. There was a pod racer and a couple of other vehicles on display. They had some items from the movie Willow too.

We went to "Blast Off," where you first stand in a room during a film of a space shuttle blasting off, and then all of this fog shoots out at you. Nathan cried out, "I like it!" It's fun to see how he reacts to things. Then we sat down in another room and learned about astronauts and such, but Sophia started howling, so I had to take her to the aisle. Then we did some interactive stuff where you dock a shuttle with a controller and video screen. We learned about the challenges of eating and showering in space in the "Living in Space" presentation. Then we ended our stay at the Starship Gallery.

I'm glad we saved the Starship Gallery for last. We watched footage of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon. We saw astronauts driving around the moon's rocky surface on rovers. We saw Earth in the distance and astronauts performing space walks. The theater was nearly empty, and the kids were wrapped up in it too, and I couldn't help thinking, "We should do this. We should go to Mars." Times are tough now, yet this need to discover and explore is within all of us. There are moments in history that are truly inspiring, and since I wasn't born yet when man first walked on the moon, I'd like to be here when a man or woman first steps upon Mars's surface. It would unite our country and lift our spirits. I hope the government will make it a priority in the future.
As Nathan touched this piece of rock, I couldn't help but wonder how many people had touched it before him. Wouldn't it be neat if there were red rocks retrieved from humans there in a few decades? I guess those who are fascinated with space have to settle for science fiction for now.

I thought this basalt moon rock would make a fine addition to my Dad's rock collection, yet I didn't want to get busted for breaking the glass. So here's a picture of it instead. I'm glad we went to the Space Center. It made me think about the value of exploration and the ability to achieve lofty goals. I'm proud the United States of America sent the first men to the moon. Do it again, Uncle Sam.

Birthday Boy

Nathan counted down the days until his birthday on Wednesday. I told him Grandma and Grandpa Rogers would be here on Friday, so we could do a family party then, but he excitedly told me he wanted a "friend party" on his birthday. I like celebrating on THE day as well, so he gets two parties (plus his two parties at school from two different schools -- wow, we did spoil him this year).

Nathan really wanted a chocolate Mario cake, like the one Grandma Drake made him last year at the family party. Unfortunately, he lost that Mario, but my Mom saved the day by ordering another one for his cake. Nathan cheered when he saw it. (It's hard to see, but he's there by the candles.)

Once you start buying Thomas the Train toys for your child, it becomes an addiction. Nathan already has quite a few trains, but Dan found this online deal from Toys R Us a few months ago with trains and DVD sets that we couldn't pass up.

"More than meets the eye": Nathan got two Transformers from friends.

Nathan liked everything he got, including his Mario pajamas from Mom and Dad. Grandma and Grandpa Drake got the basketball hoop behind him; Nathan wanted to "shoot hoops" with friends and family. It's on the lowest setting, 4 feet, and it goes up to 6 feet. Dan's parents are coming for the Fourth, so this kid is getting a truckload of parties. He is a special kid, and his excitement is infectious. He's gearing up to play Mario Kart with Gramps and Gram, whether they want to or not!

A few weeks ago the kids and I satisfied my curiosity about the signs for "Wild West Texas" store along a country road. I passed it a few times when I went to a play group, and I wondered if they sold a bunch of toy guns and cowboy hats and sheriff badges. So we pulled in and were greeted by these large metal statues of a cowboy and an Indian. Then we parked in front of this rusty old car, and I said, "Look, it's Mater!" The kids were happy to pose by this Mater lookalike (from the movie Cars). The structure behind us is where they have a weekly Farmers' Market. We went inside a few cabins where they sold everything cowboy and country style, from furniture to paintings of horses to cowboy hats to iron letters for branding cattle. But it didn't come cheap, and while the kids liked the little benches and rocking chairs, we just browsed and moseyed on out.

We decided to crack the whip and have Sophia mow the lawn. Just kidding, this is the kids' bubble mower.

She really does like to clean though. She held on to the Swiffer for dear life when I told her it was Nathan's turn to use it. I'm impressed that a cleaning tool is so cool that my kids fight for it.

Our kids get plenty of down time, don't worry.

I passed these cows every morning as I took Nathan into school. See, we really are in the country.

I had this beautiful view of Pine Valley Mountain and the red cliffs, not to mention the giant sand pile, from our home in St. George. I miss the mountains.


Quotes of the week

"I ate your brains." -- Sophia to her Mom, who is so proud that her daughter aspires to zombiehood. If you've played the video game "Plants vs. Zombies," this will make more sense.

"Here we go!" -- Nathan, copying Mario's chipper voice.

Grateful moment

I'm thankful for family and friends who stand by us when life doesn't turn out as we planned.