Fine Art Museum

On Wednesday my friend had the suggestion of taking our kids to the Fine Art Museum to see the NASA exhibit. I was a little worried that Amelia wouldn't be interested but I couldn't have been more wrong. She really liked it. She loved seeing all the paintings and especially loved the Mexican Folk Art room. There was one painting that she didn't like. She and Alessandra kept saying that "it" was going to come out of the painting and get them. To me it was just an abstract painting of shapes but the girls were truly afraid of it. Despite that we had a great time. I think the kids liked the car picnic afterwards the best. Amelia has already asked to go to another art museum, so I think the Denver Art Museum is in our near future.


Watching the "planetarium" show in the NASA exhibit.

This is my favorite picture of the day.

This is the painting they were afraid of.

Walking with Dinosaurs

Ok, this is the last post and then I am finally caught up. I think 4 in one day is good enough..

On Thursday I took Amelia to see Walking with Dinosaurs. She was excited all week. We had marked it on the calender and she was marking off the days until it was time to go. We ended up with the BEST seats. We were in the front row. We were so close that if they dinosaurs were real we would have felt them breathing. I didn't even have to zoom in on most of my pictures, in fact, with the size of some of them I couldn't zoom in if I wanted to get the whole dinosaur in one shot. Amelia loved it! I was worried she might get scared because of the size and the noise but she was fascinated, even when the T-Rex came out (which was the absolute loudest thing I have ever heard), she wasn't even fazed. It was probably the best kids show I have been to yet. It was even educational. They told about all the different periods that dinosaurs lived in and what kind of dinosaurs lived when and where. The even had blooming plants, trees and flowers. It was really neat and worth the ticket price. When we were leaving she asked to go again tomorrow.


Before show with Diny


Doing her best dinosaur roar


The T-Rex

The Ankliasaurus

Amelia's favorite the Brachiasaurus, there was even a mama and a baby one. The mama came and rescued the baby from an Allosaurus attack.

Kitty Tea Party

It is pretty easy to force Buddy to join us at a tea party but it is a little harder to make Mao. We caught Mao sitting at his spot to Amelia joined him for an inpromtu tea party.




How many cats will do this? I have never seen a cat love a little girl more than Mao loves Amelia.

Bowling

Last Monday we went bowling with Philip's team from work. Amelia had the best time but she got a little discouraged if she got a gutter ball, she is far too competative to not knock down any pins. We didn't have the bumpers since they had to be up or down the whole time but she did have a little ball ramp thing that sort-of worked. She has already asked to go back.

Pajama Day

Last week Amelia had Pajama Day at school. She was very excited, she really was interested to see what everyone else's pajamas looked like. We actually had to go buy pj's for her to wear to school. Since she was in a dress phase all our 4t pajamas were nightgowns and all the appropriate pants ones were capris because she is so tall. Anyway, she got to pick out new pajamas and I am sure you won't be shocked to learn that she picked purple ones. They got to bring a special stuffed animal, so Spot put on his best nightgown and made the trip to school also. They even got to make pancakes in class for snack time.


She gets sick of having her picture taken so much. Can you tell?

Fun in the Sun

The temperatures are back up in the 50's, instead of below freezing, so we decided to head to the park with our friends to ride bikes. Amelia did such a good job for her first time on a big girl bike. She even took a little tumble and got right back up and tried again. She was very excited and proud of herself . We had a great time at the park with our friends, they played on the slides and pirate ships and played Lion King for at least an hour. It was a good day.

I just love this picture.

The Entire Month of December

Well as many of you know, I recently got a new camera. I just finally figured out how to get my pictures on the computer, granted they are not saving in the right spot, but that is another issue. Anyway, I am very behind in my updating because of this so I decided to do one all encompassing post for the entire month of December.

We started out the month by making graham cracker gingerbread houses at our friends house. We are lucky to have such nice and creative friends.


Amelia and Alessandra


"I am not eating the frosting, now quit looking at me!"


Pure joy

Let the sugar rush begin

A fast getaway fueled by sugar

That weekend, Philip and I were going to my holiday party. After the cookie exchange at Hilary's, Amelia got to go to Cripple Creek and have a sleepover with Grandma Kitty all by herself. She was very proud and excited that she was big enought to go alone. I know she had a great time because when I showed up she started crying that she didn't want to leave. We hung out for a bit and even got to go for a walk in the snow with Rammy. I don't know who likes the snow more, Amelia or Rammy but they had fun playing in it together.

On the path with Grandma

Amelia and Rammy

The perfect snow angel

That week was Amelia's Christmas program at school. They sang 3 songs and even made a present and card for all the parents. Amelia was so cute. I do have video of it with my new video camera (that will be the piece of technology I tackle next). I will put the video up on Youtube once I learn how and post the link. But here are the pictures to at least give you an idea.

Amelia and Kendall lining up

The whole class

Praying

At Jesus's birthday party

That weekend I took Amelia and Kayla on the Santa Train. We learned about it from a friend at work, and I think it is going to be an annual tradition. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway does a Santa Train that took us halfway up and we got to get out and have hot chocolate and cookies and the kids for Christmas tattoos. They got to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and all the elves, even the King and Queen Elf were there. I really loved Santa because he told the girls that the secret to getting all you wanted from your list on Christmas and throughout the year was to do you chores without being asked. Which Amelia is still doing, and I love it. I could just kiss Santa for that bit of advice. It was a really great time.

Amelia and the King Elf

Amelia and Kayla with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Amelia in the woods

"It's snowing!"

This is on the ride back down the mountain, too much activity I guess.

The next day we had tea at Miramont Castle. We had a fun time visiting with all the Mills ladies, even if the service was terrible. Next year I think we will just go to Culver's and then for cocktails. I think cocktails but be more the Mills speed anyway.

Grandma and her 3 little girls

I just love this picture

Napkin ring binoculars

Tongs instead of a fork, it works

On Christmas Eve, we invited our friends over to decorate Christmas cookies. The girls had fun, especially with the sprinkles. Santa really enjoyed our cookies, I know.

Amelia and Alessandra

The finished product

Finally after all that activity (I don't think we had a single day to just sit and do nothing), Christmas had arrived. Amelia slept until 9:15. I even gave brief thought to waking her up, but then decided against it and went back to sleep. She was so excited when she woke up. She was most excited to see that Santa drank the milk and ate all his cookies and the reindeer ate their carrots. After a nice morning we got to go to Woodland Park for a nice dinner. Amelia got some very nice presents there too and we have been putting them all to good use.

The Santa Loot

Princess Barbies, one of Amelia's favorite presents

The the middle of the present madness

Even Cinderella loves a purple big girl bike

That wraps up our December. I promise to do better on my blog in the coming months.