Girl Scout Camp 2016

We finally got to go on a Girl Scout camp out that wasn't rained out! We visited Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim. Unfortunately, the river was flooded so we couldn't see the footprints, or go tubing, but we had fun anyways. 

We started by loading everything we own into the car. When that didn't fill it up, we went to Academy and bought some more stuff. The camp is about an hour and a half south of our house. 

The campground was absolutely beautiful and so shady. It was such a quiet, peaceful spot, until we got there. I wish I'd have gotten a night picture. We strang Christmas lights all over so it wasn't too dark and it was so pretty. We had three adjoining sites, so we had plenty of space to spread out. It worked perfectly with three because we had a cooking area, a cleaning area and a crafting area. 

The girls made slime the first evening with one of the older girls leading the craft. They also made glow jars but I didn't get a picture. 

Early the next morning, we went on a tour at Fossil Rim Safari. 

The views in the area are so pretty. 

The ostrich buffet

These Arabian Oryx love to come and stand in front of the cars to get fed. The tour guide said they gave some to Disney for their safari. When he took his kids to visit a few years later, he said the bus had to stop because some animals were blocking the road ahead. Sure enough, they were his oryx. 

Lizzy was certain the emu was copying her flipping her head back and forth, however, we suspect, she was copying the emu.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/NuLNBQa89Ws

Since the river was flooded, we went to a local lake and went swimming to cool off. Then, that afternoon, we worked on another craft. They turned out so pretty! I loved seeing the older troop help the younger girls. 

This squirrel was sneaky and persistent. With 16 people sitting around the fire, he somehow managed to get on our table and  nibble our buns and no one noticed, even after we took this picture of him practicing his ninja skills! We thought he gave up and went away but that was just to trick us.  

I woke up in the middle of the night to Katie sleepwalking her way out of the tent. Not sure what she would have done once she found herself outside, in the dark and barefoot. 

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

We've wanted to go to the Renaissance festival for years now and never remember. I always see the advertising on my way to Austin but forget by the time May rolls around. Katie had a friend who celebrated her birthday there, so we decided we would just go along the same day. The weather was gorgeous and it was a lot of fun.  There were more shows and shops than we could possibly have visited in one day, so we'll just have to go back again someday. 

There was a jester show,

 

jousting competitions, 

 a mermaid exhibit, 

a juggler (who balanced on this ladder, juggled flaming torches and blew fire all at once),

stockades - also known as our new babysitting service, 

sword fighting, 

elephant rides,

Link to video: https://youtu.be/qKzHfVVA-54

human powered rides, (this guy does not need to head to the gym after work for sure)

and lots of yummy, albeit overpriced, food. We had a great day. 

Reunion Tower Tour

Spring break this year was kind of a bust. We had planned to go camping with some friends but we cancelled it when we saw the rainy forcast. Then first thing Monday morning, Lizzy fell down the stairs and broke her foot so we didn't do much of anything. We did get to tour reunion tower with Girl Scouts which was fun. We enjoyed eating lunch in the revolving cafe. 

The Trinity river was flooded due to all the flooding.