Texas- Almost Wordless Wednesday

     Friday of the trip we made a plan of what to do on which day. I had come up with a bunch of ideas and I said, when I came up with them, that we could do any, all, or none of the things. Though I did also say I was going to do some of the things even if no one (other than Travis) came with me. But we pretty much all did everything together. It was really great. Friday, Peter had gone to stay with one of his sister's (who is currently living in Texas) so he was not with us on Saturday morning. That was the day we chose to go to the Natural Bridge Caverns. I was very excited about seeing the caverns and didn't want to miss them. Six of us decided to go to the caverns and I am very glad that we went. I have only previously been to Howe's Cavern, in New York. I would say that Natural Bridge Caverns are even larger. They were super cool and I took TONS of photos. I have also decided that another fun way to plan trips is by what places have caverns. I have 2 trips I am currently working on where I can see 4-6 caverns on each trip! But one thing at a time, enjoy a small sampling of the photos I took in the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. 

 

Texas Trip Day 1

     Last week was April vacation. I decided months ago that the kids and I were going to go to Texas. One Sunday morning, Elecktra and I were having coffee and she was telling me about her last trip to Texas. She offhandedly mentioned that there was an escape room on the USS Lexington, though you had to prebook before you got there. As soon as I heard that I could do an escape room on a ship, I decided that was a good reason to go to Texas. And since I have never been to Texas, that was as good a reason as any to go. So as soon as I got out of work on the 17th, I picked up my 2 kids, and an extra kid, and headed to the airport. 

     The first day of the trip was traveling, trying to get the car I reserved, finding out they didn't have what I reserved, and getting a nice (free) upgrade. Because I was polite and I said that it really wasn't my fault they didn't have what I reserved (and paid for) I should not have to pay for the next step up that had as many seats as I needed. The rental car guys agreed with me. We ended up with a very large, very comfortable SUV. Which I somehow took no photos of or in. 

     Friday was our first actual day in Texas and we had a lot of ideas of what to do, but no actual plan. So we went to La Cantera, which is a nice, fancy, outdoor mall. We walked around for a while, went to a couple of stores, and then headed to lunch before heading back to the hotel to make some plans. 

     Travis and I take a lot of selfies

      Elecktra and I don't get nearly as many. She and I are just not together as much as Travis and I. 

    These were 3 more of my extra kids. Jazz lives in Georgia, though Aiden and Victoria live in San Antonio. None of them (or Peter, who didn't end up in the photo) had been to hot pot other than Elecktra, Travis, and I. It was a good start to the trip. Jazz and Aiden are Elecktra's 2 best friends. Victoria is Aiden's girlfriend. 

     After lunch, we went back to the hotel and made a plan of what to do on what day. Peter stayed behind because his sister was coming to pick him up for a visit. The rest of us ended up heading out to another mall and going to Round 1. Not something that we couldn't do in Massachusetts, but sometimes it's fun just to do things with different friends. And I always get a kick out of watching Travis drive. 

    He is slightly better at motorcycles than cars, but this guy would be a danger on any real road. 

    He's pretty good at basketball though. 

     Elecktra and Aiden had to wait awhile to play Big Buck Hunter, but they eventually got to play. Elecktra got a high score!

     Travis wanted me to play the claw machine and I ended up getting him the cat and the Mario. He was pretty pleased with them both. Each have now taken a turn going to Sunshine Village with him. That a privilege usually reserved for giant action figures. 

     Our first day in Texas was pretty good, and going to Round 1 was fun. Travis always loved that place but we haven't been since before covid. So it was good to go back. And a nice way to start the vacation with my 6 kids. 

The Puzzle Project part 2

       I have been trying to write a blog post for about a month. It has been a struggle, to say the least. So I figured a quick one, with maybe a preview of things to come, might inspire me to do more. I can only try I guess. 

     This bamboo plant followed me home from the grocery store within the last couple of months. I have quite a collection of plants these days. I even bought a fancy multi-tiered stand so I could add even more plants to my collection. My issue is where to put any new plants that come home with me. I have a lot of heat vents in the floor, and they are in some really strange places at times. Which makes placing anything, plant or otherwise, in a good spot at times. 

     Several years ago, also in April, I did a blog post entitled "The Puzzle Project" It was basically how, while I was teaching, I got some games and a puzzle so the kids had something to do if they finished their work early. It was a plan to keep them off their cellphones. It went well, and the post is worth a read. I still loves puzzles and I occasionally pull one out. I found out this year that one of my kids in particular is quite good at puzzles, and several of the kids enjoy puzzles, even if they find them challenging. So what could I do except start buying puzzles for my kids again. I now have a variety of puzzles that have fewer pieces, since I needed some slightly less challenging puzzles for the kids. But they do them over and over and have been having a really great time. I love that the puzzle project has been revived!

    Last week my (actual) kids and I were in Texas and I bought 2 new puzzles. Not for my class, but for me. One of them was this double sided Jane Eyre puzzle, which I bought at Barnes and Noble during coffee date. Because coffee date with Travis happens even if we are in another state. 

     I am pretty sure I shared a picture of this painting when I started it, but not after it was finished. I am very pleased with how it came out and my plan was to frame it and hang it. But it has been so long since I brought it home I am not currently sure where it is. It may need to wait until Summer break for me to find it. 

     I have been incredibly busy lately and have done quite a lot of things. At the end of March, Crystal brought me to the Van Gogh experience, which was amazing. That might become a post. We went to Texas last week (my 2 actual kids and 4 of my extra kids) and we did so many things. That may be a whole series of blog posts. But first, I need to find time for my regular life. 35 days left of the school year.