NASA Day at the Capitol

Tuesday was NASA Day at the State Capitol building. Morgan was in school, but I took Dean to see what it was all about. I've been wanted to take one or both of them to the Capitol building anyways, so it was an extra incentive to go. The exhibit turned out to be more for older kids, with interactive stations and games, but we still had fun touring the building, getting NASA tattoos, looking at spaceships and relaxing under a tree.

SXSW with and without kids

The past two weeks, Austin has seemed more like Hollywood, taken over by celebrities, interactive leaders, musicians and fans. It's been great people watching and we tried to catch a few of the free shows, with and without kids. First was a concert on the Whole Foods plaza featuring local bands that were really good. The playscape was right there, so it was perfect to listen while keeping the kids happy. Dean played for a while, then kept staring at the stage. He wanted a closer look so we sat and listened for a while. That kid loves music. (Oh, and don't ask why Morgan colored their faces with marker)...

Then Monday was a party at The Parish featuring Alt-J and hosted by RocketFuel. I had run into my ex-client/friend Diane a couple months ago when she was in town on RocketFuel's behalf, scoping out a venue for the party. She promised to get me and some friends in and she delivered! Unfortunately, Ed was on business travel, but myself, Siiri, Steven and some of his friends were able to jump the line. It was open bar and the venue was awesome, big enough for maybe a couple hundred, so anywhere was a good view of the stage. We had a good time meeting people, dancing, listening to music and staying out late. Diane didn't get to hang out too much since she was running the party, but luckily we were able to meet for happy hour before she left town. Thanks Diane!!!

Alt-J

Diane & me

Oh, and after the party, Siiri and I were starving and got brats to eat on the long walk home. So I'm in the middle of taking a huge bite with onions hanging out of my mouth as we walk by this bar and Owen Wilson steps out and makes eye contact with me. I have to swallow my food before I tell Siiri who I saw. Apparently, he was by himself and turned around. He passed us and I pointed him out to Siiri. Without missing a beat, she runs up to him and asks him "Hey Owen, would you like to try a bite of my tasty sausage?" He politely declined but we told him we were locals and gave him directions to his hotel. We were going to same way, so ended up walking 4 blocks with him. He asked us what we did in this fine town and I told him I was a stay at home mom. He asked how old the kids were and what sex. I told him and he mentioned he had a 27 month old boy. We discussed their personalities and how much they talk, etc. Siiri kept offering her sausage, but he told her he was kinda almost vegan. He was really nice, however declined a photo when it was time to part ways. So funny though!

Saturday, we were sans kids, and with Ed back in town, attended a daytime concert at Club de Ville featuring one of our favorites, The Neighbourhood. In SXSW fashion, we heard other bands that we really liked that had no clue about before The Neighbourhood took stage, like M0 and Ghost Beach. Siiri and Jill met up with us, and we got 3rd row for the show. As when Neighbourhood came to Stubbs, Ed got a photo op with the lead singer, Jesse. I think he has a crush.

Ghost Beach

M0

The Neighbourhood

Afterwards, we caught up with Steven and his friend Jonathan for a drink but couldn't stay long as the babysitter was expiring. We ended up walking all he way home and were exhausted after the long day. We put the kids to bed by 9:00 and we were in bed by 9:30! By now, all the SXSW visitors have evacuated and Austin is back to normal. Don't forget we've got a guest room for next year...

Road Trip to Dallas Aquarium

Ed had an overnight work training in Dallas, so we decided to just all came along for the ride. While he was in training all day, I took the kids to the Dallas Aquarium. It was really well done, and had a lot more animal species that live outside the water as well. The boys enjoyed finding out some animals they've only seen in books, like crocodiles, snakes and sharks. Dean's favorite was the Manatee (which Morgan nicknamed "ManaDean"), while Morgan liked the snake, penguins and sea turtles. At one point in the museum, we just layed in front of the big fish tank, watching them go back and forth. My personal favorite were the flashlight fish whose eyes actually glow in the dark and you can see when they blink, as well as the anteaters who I had never seen before. How do they get that huge on a diet of just ants???

That's a crocodile floating in the water on their right

Look, it's a ManaDean!

Dean checking out the penguins

Anteater

The boys were also just so excited about staying in a hotel. They loved riding on the luggage cart, pushing the elevator buttons, playing hide and go seek in the room, and going downstairs in their pajamas to eat breakfast. I had brought toys but never unpacked them as the hotel room was novel enough to entertain for hours.

Zilker Kite Festival

We attended the annual Zilker Kite Festival last weekend on a sunny 87 degree day (hottest day so far this year). We arrived on the early side, to take advantage of the kiddie rides and attractions without the long lines. The boys each got a balloon animal and raced cars (Morgan with dad and Dean with mom). Dean didn't seem to mind, but I'm sure as they grow older they will NOT want to get stuck with mom on the racing games. I couldn't even direct the remote control car once around the track while Morgan and daddy's team took first place with 16 laps... embarrassing. Afterwards, we parked on a blanket, ate a picnic and enjoyed watching all the different kites. We had ours but ended up not flying it because you needed air traffic control just to not get tangled. It was a fun day in the sun and I'm sure we'll do it again next year!

Dean was a little wary of the clown but accepted his balloon kitty

Morgan got a balloon turtle