Greensboro Science Center SciQuarium

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Google made this awesome photo of Johnny standing in front of the large aquarium tank at the Greensboro Science Center.  I just LOVE the movement!

Barber Park Splash Park

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On Joey's fifth day of the Wake County Energy Camp, Johnny wanted to go to the Greensboro Science Center where he loves the stingray tank.  I debated it a bit, but we had enough time to get back to pick up Joey.  The museum had a pirate exhibit which we paid to go through plus all the other usual exhibits.  Johnny had a blast!  When we were ready to leave, I suggested that we go to the nearby Barber Park Splash Park.  More fun!  I really got into taking pics of happy kids enjoying the water.  I did get some good shots at the museum too though.  Is that a Johnny Penguin?  :-)

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Build-A-Bear

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On day four of Joey's Wake County Energy Camp, Johnny and I went to Crabtree Valley Mall to get in our 2 miles and steps.  Johnny was a super walking buddy, and we actually got in 3 miles this morning.  We treated ourselves to Starbucks and Build-A-Bear afterward.  Johnny's birthday is coming up soon, and he loves his stuffies.  He picked out white bear and named him Snowy.  I guess he's ready for cooler weather!

Tucker Lake

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On the third day of Joey's Wake County Energy Camp, Johnny and I headed to Tucker Lake.  Tucker Lake is situated on the side of I-40 in Benson, NC, and it's a reasonably large water spot set up for swimming and other water sports and fun.  We had a awesome time staying int he water for nearly 5 hours straight going down the waterslide, kayaking twice, and hanging out with other swimmers.  johnny did great with the kayak his second time out.  It was his first time in a 'boat' by himself.  It was the first time in kayak for both of us; we usually get canoes.

RDU Observation Deck

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On Day two of Joey's Wake County Energy Camp, Johnny and I headed out to the Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) Observation Deck.  We've been before but not for a while.  Johnny was really interested int he signage and plane styles, and we worked to try to figure out which lanes were which.  Look upper left at that HUGE UPS plane.  They are moving some packages!

Afterward, we were over to Southpoint Mall to walk our two miles and browse.

The Dragonflies at Yates Mill and Johnny Too

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Johnny and I dropped Joey off at the first day of his Wake County Energy Camp this morning and then went over to Yates Mill.  We walked the Mill Pond Loop twice getting in about 2 miles of walking and enjoyed the views and dragonflies and other pond life.  I caught this tiny dragonfly flying around the water at the Mill.  I also caught several others around the park along with Johnny's fascination with the water creatures.

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Y

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My contribution to the alphabet challenge for Y.  Taken at the Steve Gerberich exhibit and The Museum of Life and Science in Durham this past Christmas season.

Holly Springs Fireworks

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Those of us that live in the Raleigh, NC area are lucky because we have a multitude of fireworks displays to go see over several nights.  The Town of Fuquay-Varina, where we live, always hosts their display on the 3rd of July so as not to conflict with downtown Raleigh, etc.  Unfortunately, this year, their festivities got rained on.  Still, the folks there early enjoyed the vendors and inflatables and then at 8:30 they shot off their fireworks under light drizzle.  On July 4th, I like to go to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) to see baseball (this time USA Baseball vs. Chinese Taipei).  The fireworks are shot off in the middle of the ball field, and we had excellent seats and a view for them.  Then on the 5th, because we have not partied enough or seen enough fireworks yet, the Town of Holly Springs has their display.  The shots in the collage are all from the Holly Springs show.  You should have heard the crowd when the smiley face lit up the sky!  My favorite may be middle top where the shot going up is spinning like a tornado. How cool!  I had my Canon SX40 and S3 both on my neck taking turns using various manual settings, and sometimes auto, along with the continuous shooting feature on the SX40 to get the shots.  Fun!  I keep one eye on the viewfinder and the other on the sky and what a show it is.