Heard Museum

We took a morning trip to the Heard Museum in McKinney,Tx. Hogan and I visited this museum last year around the same time. Today was the opening of their butterfly exhibit so we decided to go check it out again. What struck me most about this visit was how different Hogan was from last year. I remember last year that he spent a large amount of time running and trying to climb on things completely oblivious to all the hands-on exhibits like looking at the turtle shells or touching bones. I also remember steering clear of the sand pit last year because I knew that he would only go in and eat the sand.

This year he talked all through the exhibits, naming things, asking if they were "really" (his way of asking are they real and alive?) and telling us he wasn't scared (of the snakes or the big black stuffed bear). He actually used the brushes in the sand pit to uncover the fossils (although as you can see he had to have full contact with the sand, but no eating!). And was interested in viewing the animals and butterflies. I hadn't expected this trip to be some kind of measurement of his growth. It was exciting to see how much he's learned in a year.

Let's Play Ball! Huzzah!

On Saturday we went to watch the Rawhide Creek Tanners play a baseball match against the Wichita Red Stockings. I guess there is a league of club nines that play old style. The Tanners are from the Dallas area and the Red Stockings traveled all the way from Wichita, KS to play this match. They play by the rules adopted by the National Association of (Amateur) Baseball players on March 14, 1860. Some of the differences in this match than present day baseball are: the ballists don't wear gloves, the horsehide is softer and is made out of a one-piece hand-stitched white or tan leather, the umpire may ask the players and rooters for assistance in making calls (very fun way for the cranks to join into the game), the bowler must pitch the ball underhanded, and sliding into a base is discouraged and deemed ungentlemanly.

Before the game started the baseball commissioner of the Dallas area came out and read the rules to us. Then, all the players introduced themselves by their actual name and their nickname. Supposedly back in 1860 every player had a nickname.

Here are some 19th century baseball slang for you that, if you'll notice, I tried to incorporate into the paragraph above:

club nine: team
bowler: pitcher
cranks: fans
huzzah: used to congratulate a player on a well played ball
ballist: player
horsehide: ball

Ballgame

While Troy and I were watching the ballgame Hogan found lots of ways to entertain himself. We sat in this shaded area in front of a line of bushy trees, which provided a new space for Hogan to explore. He watched some older boys pick up sticks and hit at the trees to make them shake (picture 2) and soon after Hogan gave it a try (fourth picture). He also experimented with throwing toys into the trees and crawling in to find them. It was a fun Saturday adventure!

Swim Lessons

dipping and swinging

practicing kicks

ring around the rosies

back rides

It was Troy's turn to be in the water for swim lessons last night so I was able watch and get some photos. Hogan loves swim lessons. I had some concerns before we started because this year he is bigger, smarter, and I wasn't sure if I could work with him in the water as easily as I did last year when he was smaller and less independent. However, this year has actually been easier because he can listen, follow directions, and he enjoys going under water. Troy and I are both excited about his progress!

sprinklers

Have I ever mentioned that Hogan has more friends than Troy or I? His friend, the groundskeeper, stopped by our apartment yesterday to give Hogan a little ride on his golf cart and to turn on the sprinklers for him. We were the envy of every apartment tenant (at least all the ones 5 and under).

Lake

No 4th of July weekend would be complete without a trip to the lake. It was busy with other people who the same idea, but that didn't stop it from being absolutely relaxing and refreshing. We're getting to be regular lake rats- and we love it!

Bocce Ball

We also got out our bocce ball set on the 4th. Hogan was on Troy's team. As you can see from the pictures Hogan, as usual, had some new rules to suggest for the game.
Rule 1: when the other team is too far away to reach you quickly, grab their balls and toss them down the hole
Rule 2: it is okay to remove the boundary sticks as long as you charmingly smile while you do it
Rule 3: when you notice the other team is at an advantage, ride the inch worm through the balls to mix things up a bit

I suspect that Troy and Hogan had this all worked out beforehand. Luckily, despite their efforts, Tia and I were able to overcome and win the game!