Family Day At Kemah Boardwalk

“When one door closes, another door better than the first opens.”

Saturday, rain came pouring down with thunderstorms. Our first soccer game was cancelled. Our much awaited trip to Austin cancelled. Pretty much everything else cancelled. I told my wife, “This is depressing. Why on my weekend off?” Sounding optimistic she answered, “On the bright side, we can just chill, eat and watch our T.V. series. Any new episodes on Elementary and Under The Dome?” As my fingers started getting busy with our Xfinity remote control my son jumped in front of me and said, “Look Dad, I made a paper Star Wars Laser Blaster.” Looking both surprised and excited, “Oh, wow! That’s awesome. Great job!” He gave me a big smile and went back creating more paper toys.

No Ordinary Sunday

Sunday, the Sun was all out with clear blue skies. I opened the window and early Autumn’s cooler breeze brushed my face. My spirits awakened with renewed inspiration. I told my wife, “Hey, time to wake up and prepare for church. Let’s start the day early so we can do a lot of fun stuff.”

I guess, we were not the only one all excited to go out, the church was packed. Parking was a challenge. I finally managed to park along the side of the road. Not realizing I parked on soft mud, my wife stepped on it. Half of her shoes sank in seconds. By the time she got out, her shoes were covered with thick dirt. I looked at her with “Oh, oh! I’m in trouble” expression written all over my face. I was waiting for her to be upset but she simply said, “You guys go ahead. I will head for the restroom to clean my shoes.” I took a sigh of relief.

As she joined us in our seats, she whispered, “The ladies lining outside the restroom thought I stepped on poop.”

On the way to the car after the church celebration, we both laughed. It’s been awhile since anyone of us got mistaken for stepping on poop. A very embarrassing situation yet irresistibly funny at the same time. Before starting the car, I asked my wife, “You want to go to the Galleria?” Before she could answer, my son blurted out, “What? We’re going to Galleria? Yipee! We’re going to my favorite store.” By favorite he meant only one place, Lego Store.

Mall Day, Happy Day

Sounding thrilled after getting a great deal from GAP, my wife told me a few times, “I am so happy. I got a 60 dollars jeans for 6 bucks at the clearance section.” Looking just as happy, my son gave me and his mom a kiss followed by hug after surprising him with two small boxes of Legos. Also on clearance. We told him earlier that we were just going to look around and he wasn’t expecting to bring a toy home. As for me, I am happy when they are happy plus I got to eat my favorite Crispy Eggplant with Tamarind sauce and Siu Mai at E-Tao. It’s true when they said, “One secret to a man’s happiness is his stomach.” Don’t you agree?

Family Day, Games And More At Kemah

We got to Kemah Boardwalk around three in the afternoon. Again, parking was a challenge. We were able to park along the many quaint shops. We checked out one of them called Home Decor and got a free appetizer coupon at Landry’s without buying anything. It was our lucky day!

The boardwalk was saturated with fun kid’s activities like games, rides, food stands, face painting, and yes, excited, happy kids running back and forth with their parents running, gasping closely behind them. It’s one big childhood and child at heart playground. Choosing which game one can have the best chance of winning can be tricky. We stuck with what my son was good at.

First game, Balloon Popping. My son popped 3 out 4 and got a big dog stuffed toy. He named it Boxer. On the way to our next game, he skipped and hopped. Something he does when he is really happy.

Second game, “If I can’t guess your age, win an alien game.” The game operator had to guess my age. She said I was 29. My son got a purple alien. More skipping and hopping. This time, I joined my little boy. It’s not everyday someone thinks I look way younger. I told my wife, “I love that game!” Laughing with me she replied, “I bet you do.”

Before our third game. We saw an amazing show. A man juggling oranges and balancing on a rolling barrel as he plays with fire. We also saw a giant cowboy boots, a school of hungry catfish and a very enlightening “Life Visual Acuity” board. I heard bells ringing in my ears when I read “Live The Life You Have Imagined.” Check it out and find out what’s your score.

Third game, another Balloon Popping. Again my son got 3 out of 4. He got a “Houston #1″ hand stuffed toy. We all chanted, “Go Texans, Go Texans,” as we head for Landry’s.

It was close to sunset, time to relax, enjoy the view of the bay, feel the cool sea wind, feed the hungry bellies of three. I ordered a Broiled Seafood Platter, while my wife got a Shrimp & Crab Fondue. Guess what my son ordered? Yep, it’s Macaroni and Cheese. We savored not only each food flavors but more importantly each magical moments of our Family Day.

On the way home, my son and wife joined me in a chorus as we chanted, “Sunday, Fun Day, Family Day!” We did it a few times them broke into laughter. A perfect unexpected ending to what started as a rainy, gloomy weekend. Regardless of weather condition, when we are with our family, wonderful surprises happens! Before my son went to sleep, I prayed with him thanking God for the many blessings he poured on us that weekend. And yes, for giving us another unforgettable, amazing Family Day.

Thank you for sharing your day with me. You are part of my Family Day, my Blogger Family Day. Every smile, laughter, bits of happiness and stories, we share together as one global community. Every Family Day turns out great because we have the most supportive, enthusiastic, creative and adventurous blogging family out there.

Thank you for being a part of the Weekly Image Of Life which today is called ”Family Day.” Borrowed from one of my T.V. series final and last episode, it’s also its season finale. It’s been a very enlightening, rich year of sharing life’s blessings and gifts through pictures and words. I learned so much about myself, about the people and the world around me. I learned about you and the many hopes and visions you make everyday. Weekly Image Of Life had a meaningful and awesome year! I will always be thankful to those who participated in its many photo challenges as well as those who consistently shared in every post their thoughts and heart. I am excited to share with you a new challenge and inspiration soon. When one journey ends, a new one begins. Brace yourselves, it’ll be another colorful, adventurous ride.

Also this week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge is called “Saturated,” and this post is saturated with tons of children playful imagination as well as that of their parents. Hope it saturates your heart with happiness and child-like creativity as much as it did to mine. Sometimes, even grown-ups need to run, laugh, play, and be carefree like little kids. Parents needs to have fun too. Who’s with me?

Images taken using an iPhone 5 camera with Camera + , Pic Collage, Pic Stitch App. Remember, always follow your heart. Listen to what it’s passionate about. Capture in pictures images and memories that makes you happy. Tons of blessings to all!