City School 2014

As a result of tricky pick-up and drop-off schedules, Aubree had an extra long time at Farm School this year (5 days!), and we only got to have Jaylen for 2 1/2 days.  So we packed as much as we could in that short time!  

Immediately after picking Jaylen up, we drove to the American Girl store.  With such limited time for City School, I'd tried to talk Aubree into doing something different this year.  She could not be swayed. "Mom," she countered, "it's a tradition and we look forward to it all year long!"  Jaylen echoed her sentiments, so away we went.  

I also happened to be watching our 10 year old neighbor girl that day.  While Aubree and Jaylen wandered the store with big, eager eyes, our neighbor commented, "these dolls creep me out!  I feel like they're watching me!"  Haha!  

Both girls brought their own money to spend.  Jaylen somehow managed to find a deal (I wasn't sure those existed at the AG store) and got a $48 cello for $18.  Aubree bought Kit a pair of blue glasses and frequently comments about how great Kit looks when wearing them.  

Sticking with the tradition theme, we next stopped by the Lego store, where Bryce parted with some of his long-stored allowance.  The girls were sad to discover that the kid play area at the mall had been converted to a toddler play area, so they couldn't take their yearly seagull photo.

The next morning the girls were up surprisingly early considering how little sleep they get when they're together.  They fired up their imaginations and insisted I take a picture of them posing with their "royal tapestry."

Soon we were heading out for the day's adventure at the Children's Museum.  This children's museum had a very simple, natural focus.  As an adult looking around, I initially wondered if the kids would find enough to keep them occupied for long.  I should have known better (especially since I was in the middle of reading a book stemming from the Waldorf philosophy)!

We all started off in the water area, which in retrospect wasn't the brightest choice because Graham was soaked by the time we were done.  We had no time constraints, so I sat back and watched as the boys spent a solid 30 minutes experimenting with the water works.  It was fascinating to watch them, especially since Bryce and Thane stayed together and worked cooperatively the entire time.  

I stuck with the boys, while Aubree and Jaylen flitted about the not-too-big museum, exploring the different exhibits before ultimately creating an elaborate make-believe game that incorporated all the different areas.  I don't know all the details of their drama, but I know it involved capes...

and maps...

and secret hide-outs...

and even more mysterious capes.  

Meanwhile, the boys also had great adventures.  Graham found an uneven, sloped path that was his favorite part of the museum.  Around and around, he'd make his circuit, laughing every time he got to run down the slope.  While Graham completed his laps, Bryce and Thane burrowed into the cave built underneath.  They pulled in every pillow rock they could find and happily pretended to be small forest creatures.  

They also all enjoyed playing in the sandbox (did I already mention that playing in the water first wasn't the best choice?).

One small, netted area was full of fall-colored fabric leaves.  Surprisingly, the boys loved this spot.  They'd grab a pile of leaves and throw it at me.  I was sitting on the other side of the netting, and would then immediately push back against the net so the leaves flew back towards them.  Cue hysterical laughter.     

Over and over and over again.

The last area the boys visited was genius.  It was just a huge stack of cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes.  Bryce and Thane got busy building a big house with doors, windows, telescopes, and (later on) even a roof.  So much fun!

Saturday morning we loaded up and drove to Ensign Ranch for a day of slip and sliding.  Jaylen's family came to pick her up not long after we arrived, so she only had a short time to slide, but our little family met up with a bunch of friends and stayed all afternoon.  

 

We all loved going down the hill on the tubes, though Bryce got hurt a couple times and decided he only wanted to go down with Daddy.  Graham especially loved going down and never wanted to stop.  

Thane proved he's becoming quite the big kid by consistently and enthusiastically going up and down by himself!  When the kids weren't going down the slip and slide, they were out canoeing with Mark.  Such a fun place to spend the day!  I think it will have to be a new summer tradition.