Solar Eclipsed

Last night there was a solar eclipse and our area was a prime viewing spot for this. 

We started by watching this video and made our own home-made viewer. 

Here we are testing the viewer about an hour before the eclipse. 

Enjoying some popsicles with the neighbors as we wait. 

It's time! And...the sun went behind the trees before we could really see anything. I think I may have seen a slight sliver "on" the sun, but it wasn't the dramatic viewing I had imagined. But, Aaron was introduced to the idea and we had a great time in the beautiful Texas weather with our family and neighbors! After we went inside we got our SkyMap app open on our phone and observed how the moon was indeed in front of the sun...just below the horizon.

This is what I was hoping to see...we'll mark our calendars for April 8, 2024 for the next solar eclipse! 

Little Texan Cardinals Fan

Greg took Aaron to Houston today to see the Astros play the Cardinals. They had a great time and the Cardinals won 8-1! And, as a mom, I appreciate how Minute Maid park has a roof so my boys don't get wet or too hot and how they allow outside food in (one gallon size bag per person). 

I think we'll have to make this an annual trip...

Decided to dress all the boys up in their Cardinal gear for the big day.

They got there early for batting practice. 

The view from the cheap seats : )

"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker-Jacks..."

Eric gets bugged

One of the boys' favorite things to do lately is collect the bugs (mostly beetles and pill bugs) in the backyard. At first they would only pick them up with sand shovels, but now they've gotten more brave and pick them right up with their hands. Eric was collecting bugs the other day, but didn't realize one had stuck to his shirt, so I caught the discovery with the camera. I've always called Eric that boy of a million faces, and this is just one example. 

Day 4: Fun

Day 2: Skyline

We love living on a culdesac. This is my skyline view out the front of our home where the boys spend a lot of time riding bikes, collecting "treasures" (old pieces of wood, rocks, etc.). I have trained them to keep out of the greenspace in the back I not so lovingly call the "snake pit".

Photo a Day...Peace

I'm starting the Photo a Day challenge with my new camera and today is Day 1...I'm gonna give it my best shot (pun intended)! Here's a link to the list if you'd like to join...

Every single morning, I get up early, make myself a healthy breakfast, read my bible and pray. It's such a peaceful way to start the morning, and...it's not true. I should, but I don't always. I do get up early and have breakfast before the kids because it's game on time after those four are out of bed. But, now I will purpose to relish the peace before the kids are up over the word of God (as long as the kids stick to the "no kids before 7 am" rule).

New obsession

Got a new toy this week we've been looking at for a long while. I was still expecting to wait a few more weeks, but my dear husband came home with a new camera for us (...me) to capture these precious days with the boys. My old camera was so slow and the boys would be off to the next activity by the time it took the picture. Not even my boys can be took quick for this guy and we've already gotten some fun shots. I still know very, very little about the camera, much less photography, but it's a start! Here's one of each boy from our visit to the new Lake Kyle park today. Maybe this will kick start my weekly blog posts again?? Don't hold your breath, but I'll try!