July's Hotter Half

After we returned from our trip, we definitely needed to take it easy for a while. So we did. Lots of lounging, reading, and generally taking it easy. But the next week, I was feeling like summer was slipping away and we hadn't yet gotten to do some of the things that are best to do on a weekday afternoon, rather than a weekend. Things like rock climbing, which Hadley requested for her birthday activity. Hadley loves it, Owen tolerates it, but even he enjoyed the new giant place nearby. There were lots of kid-friendly bouldering routes, a balcony of self-belay short routes, and a huge kids' room besides all of that.

We also learned that they both enjoy old-school roller skating! Before I could even lace up, Hadley was on the floor, but she was smiling!

I think their times on ice skates helped them a wee bit on the mechanics of moving in wheeled shoes. Owen seemed to pick it up pretty quickly, and Hadley appreciated the rolling guide contraption, much like the one she used on the ice rink. At least this place had a separate area in the back for beginners, so they could practice without being trampled, although they could have used a better A/C. We got so sweaty from working all of these oddly underused muscles! Look at that concentration!

If you don't already know, Hadley is tenacious and stubborn. She fell more times than I can recall, but she got up every time determined not to let those skates win. And most of the times she was even smiling! She went around the big rink several times with the faster skaters streaming by her like a rock in a brook. Here's one of her test spins without the guide; I also like it because Owen nearly eats it in the background.

Another fun activity I came across was the 'Kids Bowl Free' program, where you just pay for shoe rentals, potentially for 2 free games every day of summer. Again, Hadley loves it, Owen does not. I think it's because, even with bumpers in the gutters, Hadley somehow always manages to get a higher score than him. I suppose it's a little unsettling to realize that you aren't going to beat your little sibling at everything every time...

despite her crazy run up.

One afternoon I surprised the kids with a field trip! That's right. I signed us up for an Amazon distribution center tour, so we could see how they work their magic. It was pretty fascinating to see the robots zipping around under columns of bins filled to the brim with stuff and the packaging area's conveyor belts with boxes whizzing by. You'll just have to take my word for it, because they don't allow pictures inside the warehouse. But we did get one outside (pool hair, don't care!) and one with their props.

Then there was that one time when it was actually pleasant in Houston in July! So nice, in fact, that we sought out patio seating for dinner. How bizarre, but so welcome! The kids ran off and got hot in the play area and then sought out the large fan next to our table. I had to laugh at their wind-blown hair; obviously, Owen's hairstyle is one directional.

And finally, to wrap up July, Hadley got to attend art camp with her neighbor friend. She loves being busy and missed school all summer, so it was doubly fun to go do art in a studio every day for a week. Especially for the aspiring artist!