Zoo Fun

I have heard amazing things about the zoo here since we moved here. Between the summer heat and me thinking Harrison would just make it an overwhelming experience, I have been too afraid to go. Finally, after talking to 2 moms in one day with kids Harrison's age, I decided I couldn't put it off any longer! So, with Jeff's help (I love this working from home thing!) we spent a morning at the zoo. Wow the zoo is so fun too! Harrison did not know what to do or where to go first.

But we walked in and he wanted to see the elephants, so we started toward there first, but as we walked by the Monkeys, we were distracted! It was so fun watching him watch the monkeys jump around and move and talk. Monkeys say "EEE"!


After the monkeys, we made it to the elephants. Harrison will tell you an elephant says "Puff" (he makes the noise by buzzing his lips together). I think it is my favorite of all his animal noises. You can kind of here him in the video making the noise and talking about the elephants being heavy!


Lions say "ROAR!" Tigers also say roar but the tiger was shy while we were there (and the bears were sleepy!)
Trying to get eaten by the lion.
Loving the fish. Fish make kissing noises according to Harrison.
Not so big compared to the Bald Eagle.
Poor Liberty has injuries that keep her in the zoo but we loved meeting her!
Exploring the rodent area by climbing through our own hole!
After that we headed to the farm area. We saw pigs "oink, oink", cows, llamas and baby chicks. The chicks were under a heat lamp and Harrison was looking for the mommy. He really wanted them to have their mommy! It was pretty cute.
Then instead of feeding the goats, we were able to brush the goats. He ran from goat to goat to make sure they all got brushed. We took a really cute video, which won't upload (maybe it is too long!)

We had to go back and see the elephants again while they were outside! He had to hug the plastic elephant!
Watching baby Baylor with his mom was a highlight. 5 months old and 800 lbs!
Posing for pictures.
The reptile house was on our way past he elephants so we went in.
Crocodiles are a favorite.
Checking out the fingers and trying to give a high five.
As you can hear in the video, a crocodile (or alligator) will say "Snap, snap, snap"



Then the feature exhibit at the front is the red pandas...I was expecting to see something that looked more like a panda. Not so much but still pretty cute! They were running around and chasing each other.
Harrison loved it and kept pointing to them on the plaque.
Overall, we spent about 3 hours there and saw a lot. We skipped the birds, but will go to those next time. I am planning on going back there during October. We just all had a great time and even today I put on Harrison's shoes to go somewhere and he cried when I told him we couldn't go see the animals (aminals-as he likes to say!)

Feeding the Ducks and Peacocks

Earlier this week, we decided to go back and feed the ducks. We went last week and Harrison has not stopped talking about the Duck Pond. He loves it. Last time the ducks were outside of the fence but this time they were all inside. He still loved reaching through the fence and giving them their bread.

These are some big ducks!
One got a little close.

Then there were some visitors outside of the fence. In case you can't tell he is chasing...
Peacocks. They are such beautiful birds. These are the ones that scared Jeff into coming back with us again. He went to go play frisbee golf while we fed the ducks and peacocks.We had a great time and have enjoyed the weather this week. It has been in the mid 80s at midday and then cooler in the mornings and evenings! Loving it!!!

Football Frenzy

Well, football season is upon us (and has been for a while I guess!). For any of you who know Jeff, you know where you will find him on Saturday's during college football season...watching his favorite teams play. What I love about football season is that Jeff turns into a cook. I never cook on the weekends during football season. Jeff will bbq, make chili, taco soup, chicken wings or some other tailgating food.
So, I guess I should have known it was only a matter of time before Harrison was following in his Dad's footsteps. I do enjoy and understand football, but I don't have the patience to watch all day like Jeff does. Harrison doesn't watch all day either, but he will sit and watch a few plays here and there. The main teams we watch are BYU and Ohio State. Unfortunately, BYU hasn't been much to watch so far, so we have done a lot of cheering for Ohio State.

A few weeks ago I think we have confused him. We have been working on animal noises so of course, we teach the cougar. Somewhere along the way, he got mixed up and now when you ask him what a cougar says he shouts "Go Buckeyes"! I meant to correct him, but we laughed so hard that now he always says it! It is fun and we can straighten him out in time for next season.

Here is our little boy cheering on Daddy's team!

Children's Museum

I have been wanting to take Harrison to the Houston Children's Museum since we moved here. Bad timing and also me thinking he might not be ready for a day downtown have delayed this trip for over a year now. Then I got a free family pass from the Library (if anyone in the area wants to know how it is so easy and so worth it!), Jeff was home during the day and I knew we had to make the trip soon. And boy, we were missing out on some great things!

Harrison had such a great time. It is so kid friendly and there are things for all ages. He doesn't know where to start!
We found the Tot Spot first and he took to the play cars and trucks quickly. No surprise there!
Then he found a door with a door bell and light switch right at his level...I am pretty sure this was a favorite of the day.
Then when you open the door, you see who is home. Harrison loved the mirror!
The Tot area was crowded and although we enjoyed a few more activities and a tea party, we decided to look at some other areas. We went to a Kid City and he loved the grocery store. I was really happy that he could identify so many of the fruits and vegetables! He made some good choices.

Maybe I could put him in charge of the shopping! He just can't carry much.
Then it was on to the ambulance (Which had real lights that Harrison quickly learned to control)...
and the police car where he had to take Daddy in!
Then the bike shop where you put together the parts to your very own bike.
He loved all the tools but was really upset that he could not get them off the wall.
Ready to ride.
We even tried out the rock climbing wall and he was a natural.

The obstacle course was designed for kids much older then Harrison but he tried parts of it anyway.
We tried some electronic jump rope
and once he saw how to do it, he was ready to try it for himself.
They also had electronic dodge ball. Again, not quite sure what to do...
so he played a game with Daddy
and then Mommy. Still not sure if he knew exactly what was going on, but he had fun running and jumping.
We tried a little face painting.
And then headed back to the Tot Spot. They have this really neat light up board (it reminds me of a very large Light Bright) Harrison loved all the sticks and then watching them light up when he put them in.


One last ride in the truck.
A swimming pool full of balls...he loved it!
Then we headed outside and Harrison got to shoot a water gun.

Pretty soon, it was well past nap time and he was pretty tired but we had an amazing time and loved all the activities. We are planning on going back again soon!

My poor (but tough) baby!

***These pictures are a little gross (medically) so only look if you want to.***

Yesterday we went to a new Splash Pad (for those who don't know what a splash pad is, it is like a water park without pools. Lots of fountains and sprinklers for kids to play in) and Park. He was having fun but really liked playing in the creek nearby better. Anyway, near the splash pad, there was a little area of plants and Harrison was playing near that area when all of the sudden he came running over to me whining. Not seeing anyone by him, I look at him not knowing why he is cranky. As he got closer, I heard him saying foot and shoe and sure enough, I look down and see ants on his ankle and leg. I quickly get them off because I would almost bet that he is whining because they are fire ants. And alas...they were and later that day we saw this all over his ankle and a few more on his leg.

Luckily, if there is anything lucky about finding fire ants, is that he got out and with the exception of 1 bite, all the others are on the one leg and ankle.
Not sure how many people have encountered fire ants, but this is Harrison's second time and I have had a few encounters as well. They hurt and they hurt BAD!!! The aching lasts quite a while and then you are left with these bumps of puss long after they are gone and then you have what looks like a scar long after that. It is not fun and my brave little guy didn't cry at all. Just the whining at first and then nothing after that.
Although, whenever we look at them, he looks down and says "Owy!" He just likes the attention I think, but I am really impressed he doesn't let this bug him more!
My baby really is brave!