Celebration Park in Allen, TX

I have been looking for a spray park to take the girls to. There are several water parks nearby but not any spray parks. So one Saturday we decided to make a spray park part of a fun day trip. It is only about 45 min away but we had some other things we wanted to do in the area as well.

 Celebration Park in Allen, TX is one of the biggest parks we have been to. There is a pretty large water area and a big playground. Being so hot outside it was too hot to play on the playground but Grace walked around and checked it out. It looked like there were areas for toddlers as well as older kids. We will have to go back once it cools off a bit.

I think Grace enjoys anything to do with water! Olivia liked it too but she really enjoyed just being able to walk around in the big open area the best. And I just realized I didn't take any pictures of Olivia with my camera! Oops!

This last picture is just part of the park. It is a lot bigger than that!

Barnes and Noble Story Time

When we first got to TX we didn't have internet so we were going to Starbucks, McDonald's, and Barnes and Noble quite often to look up fun activities in the area. Barnes and Noble quickly became our favorite. The girls loved playing with the train table and looking at books. 

We also found out about the summer story time program that was being offered there by a local University Education Department.

One week Grace made a big carp which reminded me of the big carp streamers we had in Okinawa during Children's Week.

Another week we read about airplanes and she made these super cool goggles.

 

 

And made an airplane out of some super cool paper that you scratch with a stick to reveal beautiful colors.

Another week they read about aquariums and she made her own aquarium with paper cut outs of fish and other sea life, 2 paper plates, a clear cup, and a toilet paper roll. 

And then the last week we had a FIESTA!! She got to make this hat. 

 

And afterwards she got a cookie and ice cream!

 

I wish they were doing this all year because Grace looked forward to going every week.

Laundry Time!

Grace has been a big helper lately. She can sort laundry, put it all in the washer, and she can even fold towels and match socks!

 And someone wants to always be doing what her big sister is doing.

We were getting ready to go to the water park. Since our washer (in the apartment, not our own washer) is so loud we always try to wash laundry before we leave.

They were working together so well! Olivia can't quite reach the washer so she pulled things from the basket and gave them to Grace.

And the best part... they had FUN doing it!

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

One of the first things we did once we got to Texas was check out the library. As soon as we had a piece of mail (to show that we live here) we got our library card. We also signed up for the summer reading program.

We saw a book about Goldilocks and the 3 Bears so we checked it out. It soon became one of Grace's favorite books! The next trip to the library we found another version. And then we went back the next week and found another.

 

I wonder if we can find anymore versions of Goldilocks?

Splish Splash Story Time

The library here has several different story times. One we have been going to is the Splish Splash Story Time that they are having over the summer. It is held at the city water park and after reading a couple of stories and singing some songs we get to play in the kids pool. 

It was so much fun! 

 

 

Stonebriar Center

Last week we decided to go back to the Stonebriar Center since it was closed the last time we were there and we didn't really get to see that much. First stop was Vera Bradley! I got a $20 coupon for my birthday and I was wanting to check out the new products that released that day. 

Then we found the play area. It was a big hit with the girls. There were a lot of kids there and from what I gathered it stays pretty busy. They also close it everyday to clean it which is something you don't see at all mall play areas. 

After playing we were all hungry so we stopped by the food court and found a Chick-Fil-A. Yummy! I promised Grace a trip to the "Princess Store" aka Disney. 

We saw a carousel and the girls REALLY wanted to ride. 

 

Grace picked out her horse and Olivia climbed on the horse next to it.

 

This was Olivia's first time to ride a carousel but Grace remembers riding one at the zoo with Grandma not too long ago.

 

 

 

 

Olivia was full of smiles and giggles!

 

She did NOT want to get off when it stopped. Maybe next time we can take Daddy and make him ride :)

Valley Forge Park aka Train Park

About once a week we drive over to check out the progress on our new house. And then we always drive around the community to find parks. We already have our favorite picked out!

Valley Forge Park in on a corner in Providence Village and it is covered with shade trees. There are some picnic tables so we need to take our lunch one day. The park is small and only has the wooden train to play on but that isn't what makes it so fun for Grace.

Grace is a nature lover and there is a lot of nature at this park. She always brings home some "squirrel food" and finds bugs and leaves.

 Here is Olivia checking out the caboose!

The yellow car is a little tunnel they can crawl through.

And even with the shade it was still HOT.