AZ Museum of Natural History (Round Two)

I should probably donate some money to the culture pass program at the library because I love it so much. I snagged one for the dino museum again and invited some of our friends to come with since the rest of the city was starting their first day of school.

J made friends with a volunteer. I think I may have to volunteer at a museum someday when my kids are grown. It seems like fun.

I really do try and tame her hair, but after I wet it down and comb it, J scrunches it with her hands and makes it look like that. I just can't bring myself to cut the curls.

One of the displays was under construction and I thought it was interesting to see the process. Here is a small scale of the mural the artist was doing.

Here is how the painting is manifest on a larger scale, along with close-ups of inspiration.



They hadn't removed the hanging models from the old display yet so this turtle is flying.

Of course J gravitated towards the fish tanks. She chose her outfit, in case you wondered.

 She is getting really good at puzzles.

M didn't really care for them.

The twins had to leave before the fossil excavating, but J and K had a really good time brushing off fossils.

I'm pretty sure I would go nuts in a small town. I love having all of these resources and adventures to go on. Especially since they are free.

I think my daughter might be French

So I found this post in my drafts from forever ago and had no idea what it was about so I opened it up. Lo and behold, it had pictures attached. Oh my little girl is so much bigger now! This was from her early hoarding phase. We've moved on from the car trunk to squirreling things away behind the bean bag and behind the glider in M's room.

At the time I'm sure I had some witty ideas on why this was french behavior but those have left me now.

Perhaps it is because she appreciates fine vehicles?

But probably because she stole the smoked Gouda while I was making dinner and stored it in her getaway car.

I remember how she hoarded these flowers in there too. Then as she got bigger these flowers ended up in cozy coupe. I'm seeing a trend.

The Tale of the Missing Hamper

I'm starting to wonder if J has an obsession with the hamper. I went to put some of her clothes in it and saw this pile where the hamper normally resides.

I figured it might have relocated to the garage where the washer and dryer are, but no luck. Not in M's room, not in J's room. Only when I went to go take a shower did the mystery reveal itself.

I can only assume it had a little help getting there. Why it needed to be relocated, and why to the bathroom door, I have no idea.

Da 4th of Joo-liah (2012)

I should have explored my draft folder much sooner! Look at this lovely post from last year that never graced the world with a click of the publish button. It was even completely finished! It would be sad to have it wasted completely so I'm publishing it now anyways. Besides, a good 75% of my brain thinks it's still 2012. Here it is verbatim.

Yes, yes, I know the 4th was almost a month ago. I finally finished with the pictures from the BBQ at my parents and am sharing them all the same. They are a lot, but I figure half my readers are family and would love a gander at those without a blog so I'm posting a ridiculous amount. I apologize to those who didn't make it in a picture. I decided to put down the camera and enjoy eating for a bit. Wait, I have a toddler. I won't enjoy a meal for another 10 years. But look at the piggies! The piggies make it worth it.

My friend Marilyn's kids. Her parents actual set up my parents on their first date. 

I really have the cutest nieces

They all love Uncle Todd

I have gorgeous cousins too

The Best Grandparents

My pretty mum with her newest nephew

Marilyn's sister Julie and her beautiful family

 My cousin just came back from Taiwan practically that day so his family wanted a picture

 Unfortunately, I am not gifted enough to take a good photo at night under flood lights, but we made do.

DJ's family suffered from the floodlight as well. Sepia is our friend

I feel bad for Sarah though because my editing skills couldn't diminish the light in her countenance.

Overall they aren't that bad edited, considering what the pictures look like straight from the camera, as this photobombed one illustrates

Andrew, you deserve this posted on the internets

By the time Marilyn's family came in for a picture, I got a bit better.

Especially if you like a little 80's editing

Her little boy just melts my heart in this one. Look at how his smile mirrors his mom and his sister's takes after dad's

Then I was ready to stop trying to take decent photographs of people and enjoyed the fireworks

Can you hear her little voice going "Oooooo"

We were having a Rembrandt moment. The painter, not the 90's band famous for the Friends theme song

This picture sums up my daughter's experience with big loud fireworks: pure giggles.

The Age of Aquariums

Before Big Sis headed back to teaching, we had to have an adventure and went back to Sealife Aquarium. J went for her bday back in December but I think she liked it even more with her cousins.

The 50mm lens wasn't quite up for focusing two feet away.

The infants were rather happy with their limited views.

The girls really liked the sea turtles

E even managed to get a high five.

They really liked touching the starfish.

 And the viewing domes.

Big Sis's knees will tell you they are not made for adults of Maidename proportions.

They had a new exhibit with a room full of jellyfish, the stuff my nightmares are made of. It was still pretty cool though. They had lots of heavy base going and the jellies would move to the beat.

Like I mentioned after the first trip there, the lighting design is really fantastic.

M agrees.

Last time the 360 degree tunnel was one of J's favorite parts, this time, not so much. She still was willing to pose with me though.

M was super entranced by the fish. It was fun to watch him follow them with eyes.

 Nemo is always a hit

They have a big McDonald's like play place at the end with this sub at the top and both girls loved it.

I loved that my infant  took a bit of a nap.

We headed to Rainforest Cafe for lunch to make the day even more awesome. And because I found a coupon in the Entertainment Book next to the aquarium passes.



The girls adored the slightly creepy animatronics.

I enjoyed the fun bar stools.

They even had more fishies!

As well as awesome frog hats.

M was not amused.

The pigtails did not last through the aquarium and definitely not to lunch, giving my daughter a rather eccentric style.

It was a really fun adventure and a great way to end Big Sis's summer vacation.