Skating Night - Not So Fun For All

Our family had the opportunity to go to the skating rink with the childrens' group from our church last Tues. Andrew had gone last year and loved every minute of it. Alexis, on the other hand, was too young to go and very upset when she learned that he had gone without her. So, for the past year all we have heard about is how she will be old enough to go and can't wait since it will be SOOO much fun.

Once we got there and put her skates on, her enthusiasm quickly disappeared. She had a death grip on Dale and a terrified look on her face.They managed to make it ONCE around the rink, with Dale mainly dragging her along and holding her up the entire time.This was the face I was given when they finally made it back around to me. "Please don't make me go again." Being the compassionate mom we all know that I am, I had to take a picture of this face before I could console her.She did get off the rink and instead enjoyed 'skating' on the carpet outside of the rink. Then someone informed me that we could tighten her skates to make it easier on her. That did the trick and she was comfortable going back out for another go around or two. Not so sure she will put this on her calendar of things to do annually.

Andrew was a totally different story. He LOVES skating and could never get enough of it. He was chasing friends around the rink and even got daddy to get in on a few races.He said his head felt funny when he would go fast since he no longer had any hair. I am glad he had such a fun time.

Andrew had invited a few buddies from school, Hunter and Zach, who were less then enthusiastic about skating, and preferred to hang out more with Alexis on the carpet. By the end of the night though, they were both able to go around the rink slowly without having to hold onto the side.

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

**WARNING: long post with LOTS of pictures. Stick with me to the very end or you will miss a very yummy treat.

On Dale's day off yesterday we took the kids out to Palm Springs to visit the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. We had never been there before, though Dale's parents had talked about it often. So, we packed up the kids and headed down the 10 fwy. The kids were very antsy to get there that they didn't even ask to watch a movie on the way there. Once there, Dale put on the baby wrap for the first time and, through pinching neck muscles, enjoyed carrying him around.

Once inside the place the kids had fun running from attraction to next attraction. They were all hands on activities so I could sit back and let them enjoy their time.

Lasar Harp - Alexis has now chosen this as her instrument of choice. Andrew kindly pointed out that she wouldn't be able to drag a harp out to the park like he can do with his trumpet.Strobe String,

and the Strobe Fan, where the kids could color a picture on a paper plate and then watch the picture morph as the fan spun faster.

Next, we moved on to the Pulley, where the kids were expected to pull themselves up. Alexis sat back and enjoyed watching me struggle to pull her weight up.The magnet wall was fun to play with, tossing things from an arms distance and watching them stick.The washer toss was more magnet discovery and a source of enjoyment.

There was a huge "I Spy" board, which I might say Alexis did an awesome job finding the different objects. Lord knows she can't find the toys to pick up that are right in front of her nose, but she found the hidden bride and groom in a heartbeat.

The kids eagerly moved on to the VW bug in the center of the museum that they were allowed to paint. As you can tell this is an ongoing painting project, that the kids enjoyed immensely.

If this place wasn't 50 miles away, I would take Alexis there everyday to keep her occupied.

Daddy and his goofy smile once again.

Andrew tried his hand at wheelchair racing. He did get going pretty fast, but I would hate to see him out on the open road with how erratic he was steering the wheelchair.Alexis wasn't as fast, and her little arms gave up pretty quickly.

They had an adorable "grocery store", where the kids could put things from off the shelf into their kid-sized shopping carts and then go to the checkout stand and pay with their ATM cards or museum cash.

Of course my sugar tooth girl only wanted to buy brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts. No convincing her to put some frutis and veggies in her cart.

They even had a full size police motorcycle in the museum for the kids to climb all over.

Aiden even got in on the action when they tried to make a maze for the ball to navigate.

Alexis and Andrew got the gears moving really fast when they worked together.

We slowed things down for a little bit and hung out in the kiddie corner so Aiden could get down and wiggle some more. Look out, this kid loves to drive.

Two hands on the wheel buddy!!

Andrew wasn't too happy to be taking a break from all the big-kid hands on activities.

Then after the thrill of driving wore off, he transitioned to being a major backseat driver. I have no clue where he has learned that from.
Alexis made a really yummy pizza, with two olive eyeballs.

Andrew really enjoyed the old typewriter,

as did Alexis,and even Aiden.

Then we moved on to the dress-up room upstairs, where Alexis chose this colorful get-up,

and Andrew enjoyed dressing in this full fireman's suit.

Aiden threw on a fireman's hat as well.

Aiden felt at home and was trying to change the channel on the TV.

"Where did brother and sister go?"

Getting a little walking practice in.

Building blocks with daddy.Andrew and Alexis really enjoyed the ropes course, navigating their way up and over a series of tangled ropes.

The rock climbing wall wasn't challenging enough for Andrew, as he zoomed from one end to the next in no time.

Lastly, the kids made their way back to the art area to decorate coffee filter butterflies,

and do some coloring pages.

After a long and eventful day, we left to find a place to eat. We stumbled upon this Cheesecake Factory. Neither of us had ever been to one, and I had just been talking to my friend Tammy about wanting to go to one soon.Never a lack of goofy faces from my big boys,

and all thumbs up smiles from the girls.

Had I known how huge the portions where, Dale and I would have split a plate and the kids would have done the same. Alexis' kids' pizza was 10 slices, for her to eat by herself. She ate ONE slice. Of course, we were at the Cheesecake Factory, so we had to save room for some cheesecake. And boy was it good!!! My advice: skip the meal and jump straight into dessert. YUM YUM! I was lucky if I got a bite between feeds to Alexis and Aiden.

At the end of our adventures for the day, we headed down the street to Grandma and Grandpa's house to visit for a while and then drove home to crash after a long, exhausting day. I think the kids and I will have to return to the museum some time this summer (braving the 118 degree heat!) since they had such a fun time and it was extremly economical.