Vacation snapshots: do you know what this is?

Neither did I, until our trip to the San Antonio Zoo.

It's a Nutria.

And did you know they're found in North Texas

along our creeks and rivers?

I had never heard of this critter before,

and really had no idea we had them in the area!

Excited!

One way to get over the post-vacation blues? Book another getaway! I just made reservations for our 11th anniversary getaway in October. We're eating here and staying here. Excited!

Vacation snapshots: future meteorologist?

We found a really cute "be a weatherman" display at the Witte Museum in San Antonio. Their science treehouse area had a room where you can stand in front of the "green screen" and pretend to be a weather person on TV. To add to the fun, there was also a green blanket in the area, where you could cover part of your body and see what happened on the TV screen. Daddy loved to pretend that part of him was missing. Talking heads on TV? Indeed...

Vacation snapshots: Steve's banana cake

While we were at hubby's sister's house, E and and Auntie Lu made "Steve's Banana Cake". This recipe is a family tradition. Hubby's mom used to make it all the time, and we've made it in every form: muffins, cake, loaf, you name it. E had fun helping Auntie Lu in the kitchen - making sweet treats and making memories!

(And no, before you ask, we have no idea who Steve is. But "Steve's Banana Cake" sounds so much better than just "banana bread", don't you think? And yes, the recipe above is a treasure - written out in my dear mother-in-law's handwriting. Extra special because she is no longer with us.)

Vacation snapshots: Go Fish

E has been really into board games and card games lately. I packed some of her favorites for our vacation, knowing we'd have extra time for family time/game time due to our more relaxed schedule.

We had a hoot of a time playing CareBear Go Fish at hubby's sister and brother-in-law's house. You've not lived until you've heard two grown men asking each other for "Smart Heart Bear" and "Laugh a Lot Bear". We laughed until our sides hurt - and had so much fun!

Mommy and E school: week four - cooking and baking

We're back from vacation and hitting Mommy and E school again!

This week? Cooking and baking! (Yum!) We read a cute book

today called "The Princess and the Pizza" and

E made her own pizza out of colored paper.

Too cute! Simple and fun!

We're home!

Ah, vacation. How I miss you, already....and we just got home.

We had a wonderful 10-day trip to San Antonio, Houston,

Galvestonand many places in between. We visited family, extended family,

life-longfriends and also had a little time to ourselves -

just the three of us on the beachfor some quality, family time!

Eating out, sleeping in, having fun, doing

whatever we wanted - such a fun, fun time!

Now? We're in recovery. Laundry piled high.

Dirty house (how DOES it get so dirty when no one is here?)

Bills and mail and email stacked up....sigh.

Tough to see vacation end, but good, so good to be home.