Jungle Java

It's still kind of gray and gloomy outside so earlier this week we ventured to a new place called Jungle Java. It has two indoor playscapes - one for toddlers and one for older kids - and a little cafe area where parents can enjoy drinks and sandwiches. Joey loved, loved, loved the toddler playscape and for about two hours would just climb up the steps, go down the slide and repeat (see video below). Mommy loved it too because Joey was completely independent and self-sufficient and all I had to do was sit and watch. We will definitely be returning soon!

Sunday funday in the park

We're expecting rain in these parts over the next few days and thankfully that's caused the heat to subside just a bit. It was really pleasant outside yesterday morning so we ventured out to Zilker Park for a leisurely train ride on the Zilker Zephyr. Joey's been crazy about trains lately so we thought he'd go nuts for the Zephyr, but his enthusiasm didn't quite live up to our expectations. However, he did sit calmly through the entire ride just sucking on his thumb and checking out the scenery so who are we to complain?

After the train ride we spent a little time on the playground and of course the swings brought out Joey's signature smile.

Then Joey took daddy for a little drive on the big ol' vintage fire truck.

Weekend visitors

We had an awesome couple of days this weekend catching up with a couple of our out-of-town cousins who happened to be in town at the same time. Our cousin Susan from Dallas was here for a work conference and cousin Michael from L.A. was in town just because (and while he was here he competed in a duathlon). We always love to have family with us to spend time with both Grandma and Joey!

If you thought you were an Olympics junkie, then you haven't met Susan. Here she is watching the opening ceremonies and as you can see, Joey is watching her in awe completely amazed by her high energy level.

Susan went to swim class with us on Saturday morning to watch Joey do his thing in the pool. It looks like Joey really enjoyed having a larger than usual audience.

After swim class, we met up with Michael at a local diner (as in a place where they serve chicken fried steak for breakfast) for some yummy grub.

Susan and Joey - best buddies after only a day together. By the way, how grown up does my baby boy look in this picture?

Kindermusik buddies

Joey started going to Kindermusik classes last summer when he was about 3 months old. There were three other little boys in that class, all around the same age as Joey. All of the boys have continued taking Kindermusik together for the past year and it has been so much fun for the mommies to watch the boys grow and play together. Earlier this week Joey hosted a little bon voyage get-together at our house for one of the boys, Talen, who is moving to California. We are definitely sad to see him go and will miss him lots!

THEN...here are 3 of the 4 boys with their daddies in class last summer.

(l-r) Matthew, Eddie and Joey.

NOW...the boys are growing up so fast!

(l-r) Talen, Joey, Matthew and Eddie

San Antonio Children's Museum

Joey spent a couple of days hanging out in downtown San Antonio last week while daddy was there attending a work meeting. He spent one morning at the San Antonio Children's Museum playing with his cousins Beth and Maggie. The exhibits were pretty neat, but Joey's favorite part of the museum by far was the big empty space in the basement where he had ample room to run around. But we were able to capture a few photos of him enjoying a couple of exhibits (his interest lasted about as long as it took to take these pictures).

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley...

Look at that concentration and focus...



Ahoy mateys! Joey with Maggie and Beth



Hello from the cockpit, this is your pilot speaking...