Weekend Over: Back to babysitting and a trip to the Perot

The children returned Sunday evening and since Monday was a holiday, Columbus Day, we decided to take the children to the Perot Science Museum.

We have been there several times and Heather has a membership so the kids have been there a lot too, but it was raining and there is lots to see there.

Iris, the kids Nanny, went with us.  OK, OK, we didn't do all this babysitting by ourselves.  First, we headed to the children's area in the Lower Level.

The first section is a grocery store.  Claire is driving the grocery truck.

Addie and Asher are checking people out at the grocery store.

Addie selected her produce.

Next on to the construction area.  Claire loved the slide.  Thank God for Iris.  She was there to catch each time. And Claire is fast.

  

Asher in his construction vest, moving blocks up the ramp.

Addie making colors in the chemistry section.

Of course Addie knew more than the instructor.

Success!!

Papa and Asher in the Robotics' Center.

Addie writing on the computer to make a program for her Mom and Dad.

The program worked.

Papa and Asher racing cars.

Addie ran into her music teacher at the museum and they wrote a computer program together.

Now in Munich, Germany, Craig is playing pirate and

And Heather had pretzels and beer.

I think it was a great day for all of us.

The Weekend without Grandchildren-A Visit To the Dallas Arboretum

We had the grandchildren for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning and then the Wilson's took over for the weekend. On Friday afternoon, I went to get a hair cut and look who was the appointment before me.  Asher and he got his first buzz.

On Saturday, we decided to visit the Arboretum.  We heard it was specially decorated for the Halloween Season.

Isn't it awesome!!!!

Pumpkin and Gourd Houses.

Three weeks ago, a new children's park opened at the Arboretum.

Can't wait to take the grandchildren here.

There is a maze to find this sword in the stone.

A water park, with guns to shoot.

Waterfalls.

And Heather send us another picture of what they were doing in Paris.

Babysitting for the Grandchildren

Craig's company was sending him to Paris and Munich to speak and he wanted Heather to go with him.  So we came to babysit.

Craig and Heather left on Wednesday and after we picked Addie up from school we head to Baskin-Robbins.  Orange Sherbet was the flavor of choice.

Addie had soccer practice that evening.  Papa got the Little's ready for bed and I walked Addie to her school for practice. These pictures are from her soccer game the Saturday before, as I didn't get any pictures at practice. Addie's team lost this game 4-1.  Addie scored the one.  She is our star.

Breakfast for all. Honey nut Cheerios.

Some people are more morning people than others.

Papa is a breakfast pro.

While we were getting the kids off to school, we got this picture from Heather.

Grandma had a few presents for the kids.

Claire got a stroller, Asher got an Iron man Mask, and Addie got a Barbie. (Barbie not pictured.)

Papa is a great cuddlier.

Why Eisenhower State Park???

Our last night of travel before we reached Dallas, we stayed in Eisenhower State Park in

 Denison, Texas.  It is a  really lovely little park and since it was not Federal it was open.

When we went into town for dinner, we saw a sign that answered our why Eisenhower State Park.

Dwight Eisenhower was born in Denison and lived there for 18 months.  This was his home.

His father was from Kansas and although all his family were farmers, David, Dwight's father, did not want to work as a farmer.  He sold the land he inherited and bought a store.  He lost the store and moved to Texas for work.  He worked on the railroad and this was the home he rented while in Denison and where Dwight was born.

This is the room Dwight was born in and the trunk at the foot of the bed is very similar to one I have from my grandmother, in storage in California.

Cradle and rocking chair in that same room.

Parlor

Dining Room

High chair with wheels.

Kitchen, wood burning stove, and ice box.

 Statue of Eisenhower done by Robert Lee Dean, a West Pointer himself.

In Eisenhower's later years, he took up painting.

Painting by Ike.

 
















Some of the smallest museums are the best.  This was one.