Revisiting: Sacramento Children's Museum

It has been a few years since we have been to the museum. We were annual pass holders for a year but I didn't renew because the kids weren't as excited with visiting. And I wasn't excited that large school groups were ALWAYS there, often with bigger kids and rougher behavior. 

But thanks to a thoughtful donation (free passes for 4!) we checked things out again. It was nice to see some new exhibits/play areas. 

The noodle tunnel was pretty clever though I would stand there wondering if one of mine was still wandering through or mixed up and going back another direction. 

  

The painting wall is always a huge hit, if you are lucky enough to get a spot. I think I just need to install some of this plexy onto my backyard fence. 

And always have a change of clothes for after- the water tables are more like showers for toddlers. 

Glad they had a sand box set up- kids and sand! So glad when they can enjoy it (somewhere other than my house or where I wonder how many animals have left some business behind).

Theme Week: Mexico

A short week with planned closures, but we enjoyed Mexican food, a game of Loteria and a little art history lesson. 

 

The big girls helped cover corn and flour tortillas with melted butter (I agree, lard probably would have been a little more authentic) and cinnamon sugar. Baked in a hot oven until crispy. As close as we could get to Churros. Thumbs up by all. 

Adelita, the Mexican Cinderella story, was a big hit. With follow up questions the girls worked on comparing and contrasting with the movie that came out a few months back. 

 Our homemade mini piñata a were a little anticlimactic. The string didn't rip the bottom open. But they were still fluffy and pretty with cut tissue paper. 

Peacock Party

We enjoyed an early morning at the Folsom zoo for Miss E.'s 2nd birthday. All she wanted to do was follow the "peeeeeacooooocks!" around. They didn't disappoint. 

France Week: Bonjour!

School is out. Time for a daycare staycation- this week France. 

French food:

We served French toast, crepes with homemade whip cream, baguette, chocolate croissant, Madeleine tea cookies, French fries and for dinner one night, homemade French onion soup (amazing but not beloved by the youngsters). 

Fun cheese tasting activity:

Brie was the winner and goat cheese caused scrunched noses. So proud of the kids for trying something new!

Art projects:

Art by Joel has AMAZING paper cities to print and cut. Free! But not free- you should send a donation. Talent!

Monet water lilies 

Paper square collage flag 

Make your own flag!

Eiffel Tower of straws (idea Cutting Tiny Bites)

Some of our favorite books:

Gus on the Go - a fun vocabulary app from the Apple Store is only $3.99 and very easy for the kids to play. The 6s had fun as well as Mr. 11 year old. The website also has a few free printable a that go along with it. 

Theme Week: Italy

Books we read:

Art Collage:

Alps Mountain Climber:

Tissue Paper Flag:

Foods we Tried:

Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tortellini, Risotto, Gelato, Biscotti, toast with espresso (but really, cocoa for kids) and of course, pizza. Children helped make homemade breadsticks. 

Lil Equestrians

Mr. B's mom told us about Lil Equestrians. A fun morning program for the littles (age 2-5). Learn about farm animals in a very relaxed, hands on way. Chickens, Oreo the bunny, two Arabian horses, dog and cat are all available to the children. When you are waiting for a turn you can paint a pony, ride the zip line or bounce. Too bad this fun camp is moving to Penryn next month!

Warm Up to Two

Tomorrow Mr. C turns two but we won't see him. So we celebrated a day early with some favorites: cupcakes and balloons. 

 

Love this little guy. He is sometimes quiet with the girls, an energetic outdoorsman and always a serious investigator.