New Exhibits

Our Children's museum has been remodeled. They added several new exhibits. Becky and I

decided to take the kids and see all the new stuff!

There is now a tower that goes up three stories to the ceiling!  They had to wear helmets to go in and climb, although I don't think there was any way for them to fall.

You can see how high it goes here.

Maks went up one level and that was enough for him!

Next we went to the water exhibit which is very similar to the one at the science museum. I think the girls were a little too old for it but Maks really liked it.

I liked the hydroponic garden. This is something I would like to do in the basement one day.

By far their new favorite place was the little camping area. It almost seemed like an afterthought in a little corner but they loved it. 

Mia has enough imagination for everyone.

Don't worry these are cushions. They are not putting real tree trunks on Oli's head!

It was a nice day so we went out to the new outdoor area. Fantastic! Can't wait to go back in the summer when there are all kind of watery places to play. Right now there is a huge sandpile with trucks, an old fashioned truck to play in and a zip line.

I think we are going to try and go back when Beth comes out in February!

January So Far

We've been busy since getting back from California...um...three weeks ago. Not too busy to blog...I just keep forgetting!

One of the first things we did was get some much needed haircuts. We decided Anna needed bangs if she wanted to wear her hair down, which she does. Her hair is just constantly in her face without them. And she looks so darn cute with them.

Mia has A LOT of hair, I mean A LOT. She has the thickest hair I have ever seen. And she doesn't like it brushed. And she is sensitive to pain. And her hair gets dry and tangled easily. Did I mention it was thick???? In the picture below there are about 6 or more huge tangles in her hair that I was just not willing to fight any more with her about getting them out. I told her we were just going to have to cut her hair short. To my surprise she said, "Okay."

Drum roll....

#besthaircutsever

This year we were home as the wise men completed their trip to the nativity on January 6, Epiphany. 

The next day Joey and Brittany came for a weekend visit.

It was cold. Bitter cold. So we stayed indoors. The kids had SO. MUCH. FUN. It reminded me of when the older kids were young and would get together with all the cousins at both grandparent's homes. Priceless memories.

We went on a field trip to Casa Bonita. The kids loved it, adults wondered why it is still in business. But it's one of those places you go to because you just can't believe it really is as bad as everyone says.

Last weekend we went to see the play Mary Poppins. Mia liked it. Anna fell asleep sitting straight up. Love that about her. It had all the songs from the movie but switched around in different places than the movie. Dan and I found it weird.

On Sunday we celebrated Chinese New Year! Arek, Becky and the kids came with us.

Happy New Year!

Fun Times

The girls attended Winter Camp at the children's museum three mornings while we were in La Quinta. Anna's camp was for kindergartners and they learned about different winter holidays. Mia's was all about Dr. Seuss.

We spent a lot of time at the skate park on this trip! It wasn't super warm but a lot warmer than it was back home.

Maureen and Paul joined us for New Years Eve. We were celebrating at "midnight" as we watched a replay of the ball dropping from last year. Shhh, you can see the clock in the background. At the exact time the girls were blowing horns and making noise Michael called to say he had asked Cookie to marry him at the stroke of midnight in Madrid! She said yes! Maureen was jumping around! De ja vu - Darlene was jumping around the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at the La Quinta house when Michael called to say he wanted to meet with Dar and Sean the next morning. Dani and Michael were engaged Thanksgiving morning.

If you are hoping for your adult child to become engaged, come spend a few days at our La Quinta house. It's guaranteed!