Summer Fun With Cousins

As usual, I am behind in posting pics and blogging about our fun summer activities. Our family has had lots of fun playing with cousins this summer. My sister-in-law Doris has three kids roughly the same age as our three (our third child has the biggest age gap with hers--about 4 months).

On our first trip down to Pasadena this summer, we all went to Travel Town at Griffith Park. I remember trying to go to Travel Town as a teen and ending up at a model railroad place that we thought was travel town until we realized it wasn't while on the little model railroad train and seeing the real Travel Town next to it. So it was great to finally explore the real Travel Town. The kids loved riding the train and climbing the old engines. Following Travel Town, we spent some time at a really neat playground at Griffith Park. It is a park specifically designed to be universally accessible. Mark tells me that the bathrooms at this park, however, are not so neat--in fact they are downright disgusting. So plan a potty break before going! I forgot to take my camera to the park, but Doris got some great pictures of the kids.

Doris also brought her kids up for Father's Day. Emma is in love with her cousin Sammy. I think it is because they both are obsessed with lining things up (although with Sammy I think it is always cars... with Emma it is pillows, storage bins, cars, books, toys, anything she can come up with on a whim... you get my drift).

We also took a trip down to the Arboretum and met Doris and the kids there. It was super fun for Ira and Emma. Ira still talks about going back to the "jungle" to hike and find tadpoles, fish, and turtles. Plus, it didn't cost much since Doris has a family pass--we only had to pay for Mark. Great times!

Emma and Hannah are the two kids with the closest birthdays--only five days separate them. So we decided to throw a birthday bash at my in-laws for both of them. My wonderful sister volunteered to make a castle cake. Poor thing was devastated when the towers fell on route to the party (until it was discovered that Tink took a face plant into the "B" in "Birthday" and then it was too funny to be bummed). I thought I took a picture of the face plant, but we can't find it on anyone's camera--BUMMER! I don't have any good pics to post of this event, but my SIL Doris has some great pics on her blog.

It is great to have cousins the same age. As we were pulling up to their home in Pasadena to go to the Arboretum, Emma said, "I love Sammy and I love Hannah." Ira quickly chimed in too, "I love Sammy and Hannah too!" We love enjoying time with cousins. :)

Fun At Calico

A couple weeks ago my husband and I decided to take a trip to the Calico Ghost Town. Mark tried to show Ira a map of Calico. Ira's response was, "Does it have rides?" Mark answered, "It has a train." To which Ira replied, "No, does it have rides like roller coasters?" Yes, our little 5 year old is already addicted to amusement parks. He wasn't too excited about the idea of going someplace that does not have roller coasters, but we made it work and in the end he was happy he went.

The great thing about Calico with three 5 and unders is that they are pretty much free for everything. Mine tour? Free. Mystery tour? Free. Pan for gold? Free. Gotta love it! So we took a ride on the calico railroad, toured the mine, went on the mystery tour (which, for those of you old school amusement park fanatics, is similar to the Mystery Lodge Knott's Berry Farm had--I'm not sure if they still have it since I haven't been to Knott's in so many years), and panned for gold (well, pyrite really). The kids also made "necklaces" in a craft store. Basically they colored a ceramic medallion with markers and chose the yarn color for the necklace. The price wasn't too bad--$1 each. Ira chose a spider and Emma chose a flower.

Before going to the ghost town we stopped at the Barstow Station for lunch. The kids enjoyed eating in a "real" train car for lunch. All in all it was a fun little trip. We'll definitely have to go again before Ira turns 6!

Free Stuff!

So, I have to say that I love when there is FREE fun stuff to do. I am dying to try one of those kid classes at Lowe's, but my kids are still a little too young. However, they were the perfect age to go check out the "family summer camp" held by Bass Pro Shops. A couple weeks ago we traveled down the hill to check it out. They had a craft area (which we didn't find until we were going to leave), an area to practice "casting" a fishing pole, FREE shooting gallery (I think the kids fav by far, although they really liked the casting too). For older kids there was free archery and BB gun shoots. Oh and they got to get a picture taken "holding" a great catch of fish.

Speaking of fish, I sat in on the "Fishing Basics" class too. I even learned a new knot for tying on a fishing hook. I thought this would be a good class for me since I am currently a Webelos scout leader (in need of training, but it's fun!). Now all I have to do is actually go fish... not sure what I'll do if I actually catch anything since I have no clue how to clean it! All the times my dad took my sister and I fishing, we never caught anything so I'm not holding my breath.

AND the kids got to see Aunt Myra and Uncle Scott. So glad they could stop by for a little visit. It was crowded, but there really wasn't any lines, even at the shooting gallery. And the cost just can't be beat... we DID ended up spending a little money to buy some kettle corn (yum yum!). Thanks Bass Pro Shop!

Memorial Celebration

So I am still way behind on this blog. I think we have been too busy to post everything. On Memorial Day we celebrated by throwing a pool party at my in-laws home. We invited the families that participate in our "play school" group. The moms trade off having the kids during the school year one day a week with other families with 2.5 to 5 year olds (preschool age). The kids love play school and the moms like the little break one day a week! :) We had a great time. Thanks to all the families that came to enjoy the summer weather.