It has now been a few weeks since we moved to Dallas and things are going great. During the week while I'm at work, Jodie and Joseph venture out exploring some of the fun things to do around the DFW metroplex. Then, when they find a winner, I get to join them on the weekends. Here's some of the highlights.
First, the Dallas World Aquarium. If your looking for just fish, this isn't the most impressive place I've been to. However, it is almost built more like an indoor zoo filled with two of Joseph's favorite types of animals- birds and fish. Their main feature is a huge, open aviary you walk through with various other types of animals, like monkeys, otters, alligators, manatees- it's really cool and Joseph loves it. Here's a picture of Joseph saying "hi" to a bird.
We got a picture of all there of us by the main waterfall.
Jodie and Joseph got to check out some of the fish in the manatee's tank. Joseph was a little cautious about getting close to these huge fish.
Another one of Joseph's favorite parts was the walk-through tunnel. As we entered, he was kicking and screaming because I was holding him and he just stopped, looked up, and said "wow."
One of my favorite parts was seeing the jaguar so close- very impressive animal.
Joseph's all time favorite exhibit- the flamingos. To this day, he will stop and stay at them longer than any other animal.
Another big hit for us was the Perot Science Museum. It's built like a giant children's museum with tons of hands on exhibits that even Joseph enjoys. However, they also have some rather advanced stuff that I learned in my upper division college courses- such as how to perform an emissions spectral analysis on stars to determine their composition, age, and speed they are traveling. Here are some of the highlights.
They had lots of computer terminals with touch screens- Joseph was in heaven. Here, he and Jodie are playing with the periodic table of elements to make a mineral.
One of Joseph's favorite part was the alternate fuel race car. He spent several minutes looking at it and saying "hi, car."
In the basement, they have an area filled with more toddler appropriate items. Here, Joseph got to enjoy some cooking on an open fire.
Playing with their water table.
He had the biggest grin the whole time.
Until a bigger kid weaseled his way between Joseph and the water fountain. Although, Joseph ended up having the last laugh- Joseph kept reaching for the pipe and trying to pull it closer to him and accidentally soaked the kid in the process.
We also found a fun truck to drive; leading Joseph to say "semi, choo-choo" repetitively.
Overall, both the aquarium and science museum are great hits and make the summer a little cooler. Unfortunately, they are a little further from us, so here's some of the things we've been doing that are closer to home.
We've been taking advantage of DFW's splash pads- they are a great way for Joseph to cool down.
Go on a shopping trip- it is amazing what you can find at the dollar store.
We also have visited the temple.
The highlight for Joseph was the earthworm, the fountain, and trying to photobomb the wedding pictures.
We've also had some fun making forts/tents; its the perfect thing to do when you have practically no furniture.
Helping mommy cook.
Going grocery shopping with Joseph is quite the adventure now. On this particular trip, Joseph couldn't wait to get into the Kix box.
Joseph has also continued his fascination of shoes- especially daddy's new work shoes
Joseph also had lots of fun making cupcakes with Jodie.
Until he got tired of just decorating the cupcakes.
We've also had some fun celebrating birthdays.
Jodie and Joseph will also some crafts together during the day- Joseph really enjoys it.
I don't know how Joseph got this idea, but he will frequently empty the bucket of toys and use it as a helmet. He then runs around the house and cracks himself up.
One morning as Joseph and I were playing cars, he got out his big monster truck and started running over the other cars. I'm not quite sure were he picked up this game, but it definitely made me laugh.
Ever since I've been wearing a suit to work everyday, Joseph has been increasingly interested in wearing a tie. Initially, he could kick and scream while you tried to put it on. Now, he'll go to his room and ask you to put it on.
We've also been taking advantage of having a library less than a block away from our home. Joseph's new favorite book is the Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. He loves it so much that went Jodie last returned it to the library, Joseph found another copy on the to-be-filled shelf and wouldn't leave the library without it. Here's a picture of Joseph laughing while I'm reading him the story.
The best part of the book, is Joseph will now read the whole book to us.
We've also had some fun with friday movie nights, especially when we make a picnic out of it.
Thus far, we've been having a lot of fun during our summer here in Texas.
