Dinosaurs are Scary!

Friday can sometimes be a long day.  By the time Friday rolls around all my good activities have been done, all my favorite parks have been visited, and almost all my energy is gone.  :)  The Friday before our Thanksgiving visitors (and lots more helping hands) arrived, I was desperate to find a fun NEW activity for the kids that wasn't totally overwhelming for me.  I saw a post on facebook from a friend who visited a local natural science museum and wildlife sanctuary.  She said she had taken her four young kids so immediately I was sold!  I had no idea what was in store for us but we headed out anyway.

Our museum visit started with some stuffed wild animals which were awesome.  So of course the kids were excited about the life-size bear, wolf, fox, eagle, and owl.  There were also real animals like a bunny, turtle, snakes, deer, racoons, and lemurs!  The lemurs were awesome and jumping from wall to wall.  It was crazy to watch and I kept saying 'oh my gosh! they are jumping everywhere!'  Now the kids say that all the time.  It's one of my three recurring conversations I have with them during the day.

After all the fun stuff we'd already witnessed, we headed outside.  I knew there were some dinosaurs at the museum but I didn't know they were outside on an actual nature/hiking trail.  I prepped the kids a little bit on the way to the museum and talked to them for the first time about dinosaurs to get them excited.  Little did I know, however, that the dinosaurs would be life-sized and would growl!  The kids were TOTALLY freaked out and my little dino speech wasn't nearly adequate enough to really prepare them for their first dinosaur experience.  At times Caleb was frozen and wouldn't get any closer to the dinosaurs.  He wouldn't even walk past them.  There was lots of panicked running and whimpers from all three as we hurried along the trail.  It was so sad and I felt terrible I hadn't really given them the full scoop on dinosaurs beforehand.  I can pass off a tiger or bear being cuddly and kind but I just couldn't do that for the dinosaurs.  We just talked about how big they were, how many teeth they had, and that their growl was scary.  We avoided the T-rex at the end of the trail so as not to scar them for life.     

Needless to say, it was a REALLY fun morning and the kids haven't stopped talking about how 'scary' the dinosaurs were.  I mean, they were kind of frightening for me when they growled.  The kids were pretty brave I have to say.  I'll make sure not to turn on Jurassic Park for a few years. 

The Biebs is in Town!

Oh yes. The Biebs. Just as good as I imagined. His concert did not disappoint. Although I still wish I had front row seats where I could've snagged his leather jacket when he took it off. That sadly was not the case but I was not disappointed at all with our seats. We had a great view and at one point were maybe 40 feet away from the JB. What more could two girls ask for?

Of course we got there early enough to take some pictures. Much to my dismay I was wearing the same shirt as 5000 other concert goers. Luckily I got mine at Kohls for less than half the cost than what they were selling for at the arena. We would've never made it through that line to purchase anyway!

 It was a crazy, energetic night and I was convinced my hearing was impaired permanently after the concert was over. We had a great time though and I think both Mubeen and I were so glad to be out doing something completely and utterly for ourselves. Although Clark would never admit it, I think he would've had a good time. However, in his absence I avoided his mocking and laughter. He would've died when JB entered the arena strapped to wings made of instruments. Quite the entrance and I admit it was over the top but it added to the experience. Clark would not have understood.  He's not a true Belieber.  I was sure glad Mubeen was there!

Next time JB is in town, you better BELIEVE I'm going again.  :)