Kemah Boardwalk!

I was going to do one long post on our visit to Houston last weekend for Todd's birthday, but it was becoming eternal so I am breaking it up. But now it is in the wrong order. So I am posting the last day first. More to come!

When we decided to go to Houston for the weekend, Todd started looking for fun things for us to do with the kids. Right away, he found this spot in South Houston (I think!) that was full of things that are very near and dear to our little 3 year old's heart. A choo choo train, a carousel, candy shops......it was perfect!
We headed out to the Kemah Boardwalk on Monday morning. The boys took a nap on the way and were ready to party once we got there.

Laney was super happy to run along the boardwalk with Todd chasing behind her. She really loves to play chase these days, and she really loves her daddy - so it was a pretty good combo.

There was all kinds of fun to be had just running up and down the boardwalk. We were blessed with beautiful weather yet again on the final day of our visit!


The ultimate source of excitement for Laney! When she saw this carousel, she went crazy with the thrill of it! We were on our way to the bathroom to go potty, and she immediately told me, "I don't have to go potty anymore. Let's go!!!"
Laney was so excited about climbing up the stairs to the top of the carousel!
Laney changed her mind at the last minute and went with the zebra instead of the seal.
I am not sure what this expression is about. Maybe Miles wanted a shot at the carousel.
After the carousel, we got to ride a train. The day was just getting better and better for Laney. These are all activities that she adores. Right before we got on the train, we were joined by Dolly!!! She lives very very close to this part of Houston, so she jumped in her car and joined us for the afternoon!! I am definitely looking forward to getting to spend more time with my sweet friend!
We chose a seat on the train right at the front, which proved to be a mistake. Laney hates loud noises and we were a little too close to the whistle for her liking.

We went to this restaurant on the boardwalk, I think it was called Sharkey's. They had this amazing three story high cylindrical aquarium right in the center of the restaurant. We got to sit right next to it and kind of away from any other patrons, which worked out nicely for my loud and mobile children!
They loved watching the fish swim by.
This giant green eel was Laney's "favorite!" I am not sure if it was because we were trying to stave off any anxiety she might have had towards it by going on and on about how beautiful it was.
She bought into it. It was her favorite for the rest of our stay.
Miles loves to talk on the phone. He prefers actual phones, but he will use just about anything. I look over at him and he is holding up some random object, like a flip flop, up to his ear. Silly boy.


Laney and the boys spent the whole second half of our lunch standing at the aquarium watching the fish swim by.
Miles was the least reserved of the bunch. He might have just dove right on in if he had been able. The whole experience made Sam a little nervous. If the fish swam right up close to him through the glass, he would start to cry.

This picture is hysterical to me because I think that it looks like Miles is giving this huge fish a giant Miles-style kiss. Only if it were really Miles-style, it would have ended in a painful bite. He loves to give kisses, but I am pretty sure he thinks that they are supposed to be topped off with a bite. When I yank him away and tell him no, he just laughs and smiles. Bad news!