Jumping for Joy

Recently, a trampoline park opened near our home. Marina and I decided to give it a try today. Once we walked in the door, Marina was ready to get started. As soon as I had purchased her play time, she attacked the giant trampoline in the middle of the park. At first she was happy to just bounce along the lanes, but after a while she was running up the slopes and hanging out there. She made several friends while we were there. After her two hours were up, I could tell she was exhausted but she didn't want to leave. So, I bribed her with the promise of ice cream.

Pirates and Lizards and Snakes - Oh My!

The Nature and Science Museum has a temporary exhibit called "Lizards and Snakes" which we hadn't seen yet. Marina was excited to see it because she says she loves snakes. The exhibit was packed when we arrived this morning. Still,we managed to get through the exhibit. We even saw a show called the Snake Hunter. Marina really loved the play area where there were costumes and puppets.

After lunch, we went to Marina's favorite part of the Museum, Expedition Health. By this time, the crowds has left, so we were able to do everything she likes. We did a household cleaner experiment and tried out every station. We also got to see the pirate show about bacteria. Marina was selected to take part in a quiz. She didn't answer her question correctly and had to walk the plank. She did so with good humor. She was looking forward to seeing the Super Food Heroes, but the last show of the day was canceled. She got over that quickly.

At the end of our day at the museum, we went to the IMAX movie "Flying Monsters." It was all about pterodactyls and other flying dinosaurs. Once it was over, the museum was getting ready to close. So we headed home. It was a fun time.

Finding Neverland

We got together with our friends Jennifer, Madi and Noah today. We made plans months ago to see the ballet Peter Pan. Marina wore her purple Tinkerbell dress and her new shoes with the heel - she's so proud of those!

When we arrived at the ballet, the kids were given a light toy. The show's director called it a "Fairy Fixer." The children in the audience were advised to use them at the end of the second act. He cautioned them to only use it then because it was a "fairy killer" at all other parts of the show. Amazingly, the kids heeded that warning and kept them off.

The kids loved the show. The effects were impressive. Peter Pan actually flew through much of the show. It was fun to see him lose his shadow and have it sewn back on by Wendy. But it was Tinkerbell who stole the show with her sassy attitude and glowing costume. The scene where she died was the highlight of the show. Marina kept asking me when she should turn her light on. After Tinkerbell's lights flickered out, Peter Pan looked to the audience for help. The kids turned on their lights.The lights waved throughout the theater. Then the audience began to clap. Soon Tinkerbell's lights began to flicker back on. It was truly a wonder to watch.

All three kids loved the show. It was fun to see it together.

Suite Life with the Mammoth

Marina's school had another sports night, this time at the Colorado Mammoth, the professional lacrosse team. We had some friends with us and were excited to have assigned seats on the club level. We got there a little after the game started and were barely settled in our seats when my sister showed up. It turned out they had a suite on the same level for the game. So, we joined them in the suite. There was food and some of our friends and family there. It just made the whole experience more fun.

The Mammoth lost the game, but it had many stretches that were exciting. Marina really got into watching the game. She cheered loudly at each goal and danced to the music throughout the game. She had a great time!

Mermaid Marina

It was a cold day, so we decided to spend it inside at the Aquarium. Marina wanted to dress as Ariel today. It seemed like an appropriate choice. We invited Brian and Emily to join us again since they hadn't been there before.

Marina seemed to go quickly through many of the exhibits. We came across some divers in one of the large tanks and she watched them for a while. We were about halfway through when we heard the announcement that the mermaid show was about to start. So we made it over the tank to watch. Marina just loved it! We went through the rest of the Aquarium. Marina was particularly interested in the shark tank. She got her face painted with two dolphins to go with her costume. Then we stopped for lunch.

While we were eating at the Aquarium Restaurant, the mermaids made an appearance in the tanks there. Marina was so excited. She got to see them much closer than the show.

After lunch we went to the 4D show we had tickets for. Marina liked the Dora the Explorer show, but not the Bamboo Coaster. Once we finished that, we went back into the Aquarium. We got to see the tiger swimming demonstration and Marina got a chance to touch some starfish and horseshoe crabs. We saw the mermaid show again as well. What Marina looked forward to the most was meeting the mermaids. She was very happy to talk with them as long as she could. Later she told me, "I felt I was one of them!" She certainly looked like them.

Be A Ladybug

Marina's second grade show was this evening. She's been looking forward to it for a long time. At first, she agonized over what to be - a butterfly, a firefly or a ladybug. Finally, she decided to be a ladybug.

When Marina woke up this morning, her first words were, "My show is today!" She's been so excited. There were two performances, this afternoon for the school and this evening for parents. The show was fun, full of insects of all kinds: army ants, butterflies, crickets, fireflies, spiders, stinkbugs and, of course, ladybugs. And, naturally, my favorite performance was "Be A Lady." Where the ladybugs showed their "attitude" and did a sassy dance. It was a fun show.

A Night with Phineas and Ferb

Marina saw the ads for Phineas and Ferb Live on TV and she had been wanting to go. I bough the tickets before knowing we were in for record snowfall this week. Fortunately, the cities did an outstanding job of plowing the roads. So, not only were we able to get to the show, but we were glad to get out of the house.

We went out for dinner before heading to the show. We arrived at the theater in plenty of time. Marina got a light up toy and cotton candy that came with a Phineas hat. Before the show, a man came out and asked the audience a few questions about the TV show. Marina knew the answers to most of them.

When the show started, she was captivated. We sang along with the songs we knew and cheered for our favorite characters. We were especially excited when Perry the Platypus made his appearance.

During intermission, several of the "random dancers" walked through the audience. Marina was happy to have her picture taken with one of them. The show started up again with "Gitchy Gitchy Goo." Marina got up and danced along. Overall, it was a fun evening. Marina was very happy.