In-N-Out

This post is a few weeks late, but it's a momentous occasion that must be celebrated: Texas now has In-N-Out!!!!

By sheer coincidence, I happened to be in the area the day it opened in Frisco. Frisco is about 45 minutes away from our house, and we really only ever are in Frisco because it's where Ikea is. So it really was crazy that I had planned to catch up with a long-time friend from California who was in Frisco that day. I didn't end up actually getting to taste In-N-Out that day though, seeing as how after sitting in the drive thru lane for 45 minute, thinking I was finally getting close -- only to discover I had another TWO HOURS to wait. Yes. Two hours. uhhhhhh... yeah, no thanks.

We did go back that Saturday to try again as a family, but it was still about a two hour wait, so we decided against it again.

FINALLY, a couple weekends later, we ventured over after church. We go to the first service and get out before "lunch" really starts most places. It was perfect! "Only" about a 15 minute wait in line to order, and about 10 minutes to get our food. We got a table outside and I savored every bite of my animal-style grilled cheese. Mmmmmmm.... The only bummer was that Jasper was not feeling the greatest that day, so he was a bit unhappy at times. You can see a lonely tear on his cheek in the picture below as he's eating his french fry.

All-in-all, it was everything I have dreamt it would be in the almost 2 years since I've had it last. Just like California and definitely a taste of home. I can't wait to go back!

Taken on opening day - the line was absolutely incredible.

Thoroughly enjoying his chocolate shake.

Jasper's First Day of School

The time has come for Jasper to start going to daycare. We have been so grateful for the time he's gotten to spend being spoiled by Nana and Papa, but we knew this day would come sooner or later. Very thankfully, we were able to have him start attending "school" at the same place Harper does. It's a familiar place where we know all the faces, and they've already been seeing Jasper daily when we pick up and drop Harper off. It's very comforting to have them in the same spot together.

His first day went really well and drop off was a breeze. The kids were all playing outside, so he had a great distraction of the toys and balls outside and was never upset. The rest of the week was a little tough for him in the mornings, but by Friday he was reaching his arms out for his teacher, happy to wave bye bye, assured we were going to be there to pick him up in the evening.

Of course we've also had to deal with the expected illnesses that come along with the daycare environment, and that has been no fun at all. We are praying we are over the hurdle and that things will be smooth sailing from here on out!

He is really doing great, being more adventurous with trying to walk, and getting some socialization. His main teacher is very happy with how he's adjusted and comments a lot on how independent he is. The other teachers love to dote on him and tell me how happy and sweet he is. It makes me feel so assured that he's being well taken care of.

First Day of School

Six Flags, Part II

We were very fortunate to get to go to Six Flags for a second time in a month for free. We took full advantage and stayed in Looney Tunes land for almost the entire time in order to make up for us missing most of it last time. Harper and Jasper loved it. Yes - Jasper got to ride a few of the rides too! We even took him on two of the actual adult rides - the teacups and the spinning sombrero. The teacups were fine, but the spinning sombrero was a little bit much for both he and I. I couldn't believe they allowed kids of any size on that ride!

We did run into a few of the characters, and even though Harper looooooves the Tweety she won last time, we could not convince her to say hi to the life-size version. No way, the small stuffed one is just fine, thankyouverymuch! Then Daffy Duck walked up to us and basically scared the life out of Jasper. I think my kids will be taking after me in the no character department. I was terrified of them for a looooong time as a child.

We hit all the rides in the Looney Tunes land at least twice, three times if Harper wanted to. The day was all about just letting her have fun. It was VERY hot though, so we only lasted about 4 hours. I had been wanting to ride the Conquistador since the last time we were there and only Jon and Harper had gone on it. We saved it for the last ride this time and the two of them went on it together. As soon as they got off, Harper and I went on it together. It's a fun ride, but my mistake was looking out at Jon as it rocked back and forth, back and forth, and once I got off I did not feel good. We made it out of the park and to the car and I was feeling queasy but figured it was just hot and had been a long day. Once we started leaving, Harper complained her tummy hurt, and having experienced her history of vomiting in the car, I shoved our makeshift trash bag on to her and told her to use that if she needed to throw up. She said no and eventually dozed off after having a few salty crackers to help settle her stomach. No sooner had Jon realized he had missed our exit to head north, did we hear Harper in the backseat start to cry again. It was slow motion as I reached back to ensure she had the trash bag back, but I was too late - she was getting sick all over herself for the umpteenth time in the car. *sigh* I guess The Conquistador twice in a row would do that to anyone. Poor girl. Having no way to even make a dent in cleaning her up, we had no choice other than to keep going, and what a fun ride that was! It took her until the next day to feel better, but hopefully the day was fun enough to not make that experience her lasting impression!!

Daffy and Jasper = not a friendly meeting.

Harper and Daddy waaaaaaaay up in the sky.


Jasper, having no idea what's in store for him on the teacups.

Harper and Daddy ready to turn that wheel.

Harper and Jasper on a tandem flight.

He doesn't look it here, but Jasper thought the swings were so much fun!

Jasper's first real taste of ice cream - and enjoying it!

Six Flags

A few weeks ago we went to Six Flags as a family. My company's annual picnic was being held there this year, though it was less "picnic" and more "enjoy the free parking, tickets, games and lunch on us". Sweet!!

We hadn't told Harper where we were going ahead of time, and after church we headed to Arlington. I don't think she had any idea what the heck it was until we actually got inside and she saw people on the rides. It was my first time at Six Flags over Texas, though I've been to Magic Mountain countless times, and it was fun to see how this one compared and to see it through my kids' eyes for the first time.

Somehow we managed to miss most of Looney Tunes land the entire day. I still don't understand how we did it, but we didn't discover all the tiny rides until the very end of the afternoon, so we were a little disappointed about that. We promised Harper we would take her again and she could ride all those rides we missed. (Little did we know we would be going back again so soon!) But my little girl made me so proud by being so excited to ride all the big rides she could!! She is not my little daredevil by any means, and can be very difficult to judge how she will handle a new experience. She was so outgoing and adventurous, she even got upset about being too small to ride some of the rides. We had an absolute blast riding the different things with her. Since we had missed most of Looney Tunes land, there wasn't much for Jasper to do but hang out in the stroller most of the day. He slept for a good while which was very needed. We saved the carousel for last and it was great. Both kids had so much fun going round and round and up and down.

Though it was very hot in the afternoon, we were so glad to have gotten the opportunity to go for free and have a good time!

"Our First Amusement Park!"

Yosemite Sam


Snoozin' while Harper and Daddy rode the cars.

She won this Tweety all by herself!

She really loved the "punch" (Powerade) we kept allowing her to drink all day.

Harper and Mommy on the train.

Riding the carousel.