Jiu-Jitsu

Ryland started taking Jiu-Jitsu this evening.  He will be taking two weekly 1 hour classes with Sensei Weidenhof.  The class has several different belt levels, so it was pretty interesting to watch the progression of training.  The first class went well, and Ryland loved it.  He even wanted to go home and practice. 

Thomas the Tank Engine

I took the boys to see Thomas at the Grapevine Train Depot.  It was quite a big deal for lots of children, and I was amazed at all the fun things to do while we waited on the train ride.

 

 

One tent had a huge miniature train set on display with several of the trains chugging around the track.   

 

 

Another tent had train sets for the kids to play with.  Ryland and Reed enjoyed racing trains and trying out the different tracks.

 

THOMAS!  He arrived to pick us up just in time.  The boys were starting to get a bit anxious.  The ride was about 20 minutes, and the boys were thrilled the entire time.  A conductor came around to meet everyone and hand out junior engineer certificates.

 

As we were getting ready to leave, we had to get another picture, and Ryland wanted a tattoo.  I was happy to oblige and couldn't help but think how much fun this outing had been.  I can't wait to hear what the boys say next time Thomas comes on tv.

The Polar Express

The boys and I took our annual ride on the Polar Express in Grapevine this morning with the GCS Moms' League.  We got there in the nick of time for a quick picture with the Wood girls before boarding the train.

 

 

We found a seat and got comfy for the ride to the North Pole.

Look who came on the train to say Merry Christmas to all the children.  Santa!

Ryland and Reed were thrilled to see Santa, and they were so excited to get a gift from him before Christmas.  Santa had bells for everyone.



 

Ryland and Harker being silly.

 

The best picture of Reed and Keaton.  He thought it was hilarious to pick his nose while we tried to take his picture.

Oktoberfest

 

We wanted to get outside and enjoy the colder weather, and we thought a trip to Southlake Town Square for Oktoberfest would be the perfect outing.  The boys had a blast riding the train around Town Square.

 

The kids zone had bounce houses, small carnival rides, and games.  Reed was still a little too young to enjoy all the fun, so we cheered on Ryland.



 

The boys saw Sonic two blocks away, and I think they could have stayed there to play with him all afternoon. 

It was great to be outside experiencing Oktoberfest with our little men.  I couldn't help but think back to the first Oktoberfest when Ryland was just a baby.  Oh my, how things have changed. 

Trains at Northpark

John Chris and I took the boys to see the awesome miniature trains at Northpark. I have heard the display is amazing for the past few years and thought the boys would enjoy the outing. The foyer had several trains lined up on the wall, and Ryland was really interested.
A few shots of the train display.

We all enjoyed admiring the trains and the extensive set up. Even though the 30 minute drive was a little stressful, the experience was well worth it. We are sure to visit again!

Train ride

We celebrated Lizzie's birthday by taking a train ride from Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
We weren't on the train long before we were boarded by a few robbers. They caught up with the train on their horses, and held us up at gunpoint. They were looking for cash, credit cards, jewelry, and children. The robber said we looked worse off than him, so he handed out some of his money.

The deputies arrived quickly to capture the robbers.

Ryland received a deputy badge sticker for helping chase off the robbers.

We had tickets for the open air cart, and it was fine when the train was moving. It was projected to be in the upper to mid 90s, so we should have considered the air conditioned seats.

The train stopped about 10 minutes away from the stockyards so another train could pass. Poor Reed warmed up fast. The train manager brought us a glove filled with ice to help cool him off. We were pouring water on a burp cloth and wiping him down. He was such a trooper and never whined or cried. He sat very contently taking it all in and smiling.

After waiting on the other train for a bit, we got moving again. Everyone was happy to have the breeze again. Until....... We stopped again. The train we waited on to go ahead of us broke down. We sat again in the heat. At this point we are ready to just back up all the way to Grapevine and call it a day. A few people got off the train and arranged a ride back to the station. The beautiful view of the landscape.

We finally arrived! About an hour and a half late, but we are here.

We walked a couple blocks to grab something to eat. There was live music at the Love Shack, so we grabbed a burger and relaxed for a while. Ryland was insistent on sitting on the stairs. He climbed up and down. Up and down.

And what goes perfect with a full belly? A carousel horse ride.

Since Reed didn't get a wonderful burger, it was time to eat. I found a bench that was lined with misters. We enjoyed the cool water mist while filling his belly. He looks like such a redneck. He spent the whole afternoon with his outfit pulled down and a wet burp cloth draping his head or body.

Before boarding the train back to Grapevine, the boys took some pictures with Lizzie. Ryland got a cork rifle, so he was a little preoccupied.

The boys with their grandparents.

I never get pictures of myself with the boys, so I was happy to sit with Ryland on the kids bench for a quick cheese.

Looking completely worn out, hot, and covered in sweat. Daddy, mommy, and the boys.

Jasper's birthday party

One of Ryland's play group friends, Jasper, had a train themed birthday party. When we first arrived at the party, Ryland was his usual timid self. Jasper's mom had a train ride picking up at the garage and taking the kids down the street. Ryland was pretty unsure at first, but he eventually warmed up and had fun.

Ryland has recently started putting his hands in his mouth when he is apprehensive. He stood in the garage observing everything from a safe distance.
He decided to try out the mini train first. It wasn't fun for long, because it just did a small circle.

The bigger train arrived to pick up, and I coaxed Ryland to ride with me. By the time we were at the end of the driveway, he decided that he was ready to party. He started chit chatting and saying "choo choo".

kids + bounce house = FUN!

Time for birthday cake. Ryland thoroughly enjoyed the icing.

Trenton, Harker, and Ryland sitting to enjoy birthday cake and ice cream.

What a fun party!

Train ride with Santa

Ryland and I took a ride on Grapevine's Polar Express again this year. We had a great time singing Christmas carols and listening to Twas the Night Before Christmas while chugging down the track in an antique train.
Ryland, Harker, and Trenton standing in the seats. They had a blast dancing and climbing.

Santa still isn't a welcome stranger around Ryland. He is happy to talk about Santa, but don't even think about getting close to the guy. Ryland crawled in my lap and hid his face when Santa approached our seat.

Joining the circus

I finally caught the little monkey in action this morning. He is all about climbing these days.

I don't think this is illustrated in the alphabet train owners' manual. In fact I am pretty sure it says to sit. Oh well. You have live a little. Ryland likes to stand on the train and put blocks in the engine.
Ringling Bros will be calling soon.