Discovery Children's Museum

Place: Discovery Children's Museum
http://www.discoverykidslv.org/

Cost: $12 per person aged 1-99
$125 annual family membership
$175 Discovery Membership -- It's like a family membership but instead of each family member having a card there is a card holder who can bring up to 7 guests each time.
*Nanny and Pap got the kids a Family Membership for Christmas.  Kirby and I decided we would upgrade to the Discovery Membership so whenever family or friends are in town we can take them.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm

Best for kids age: 1-13?  The last time we were there I saw groups of middle-school aged kids and they all looked like they were having a blast.

On the plus side: Where do I start?  I've only been to one other children's museum and it doesn't hold a candle to Discovery Children's Museum.  The museum is on three levels.  Running through the middle is "The Summit", featuring science exhibits intermixed with slides and structures to climb.  The first level features a water room, Charlie's favorite!  It also has a pirate ship, a theater for kids to play on, a castle and a room specifically for the tiny toddlers.  There is so much to explore that I couldn't tell you exactly what is on the second floor and third floor.  I am sure I am mixing them up.  The second floor is (I think) is the one set up to model places in Las Vegas- a play airport, the local grocery shop, mechanic etc. etc.  The third floor (again- I think) has an art room and what they call a patent pending room.  In this room kids can build paper airplanes, make cars, and so on.

On the down side: The photos in the post are from a time we went to the museum with friends.  Our little guys did get overtaken by a school group at one point.   And I know weekends can be crowded so plan accordingly.

Suggestions:  I wish the museum and other places of this nature would post a public calendar on its website to show when they are having multiple school groups.   I would love to plan our future visits at times when we can avoid the masses of school kids.

Rating (on a scale of 1-5 stars) Can I give it 10?  Five stars plus!!!!
Time Allotted?  The longest we have been there is 3 hours and we could have stayed longer.  Pack a lunch and plan to stay a while!
Go again? Of course and now that we essentially have four guest passes on any given day we would love to have friends join us : )

Elf on the Shelf

The Elf on the Shelf entered our home this holiday season.  When my sister in law, Kendra, let me know she got it for the kids I was elated!  The flurry of elf pictures on facebook caught my eye in past Decembers and it looked like such a cute idea.

HOWEVER, my feelings have changed.

Now before you pass judgement or assume the worst, read the whole blog.  And for you mommas who haven't introduced this lovely creature into your home I encourage BEG you to read this!!!!

A little background (just in case)
The Elf on the Shelf is a book written about an elf who watches over your family during the holiday season (in most cases the first 24 glorious days of December).  His "job" is to fly to the north pole each night and report if everyone is being good or bad.  Ahhh.... another way to bribe kids into submission during the most insane time of the year.   We and by we I mean some unknown group of mommas out there (yes I'm blaming the mommas) decided it would be a great idea if each day he ended up in a new spot in the house.  I'm sure it started out as something as simple as this.  But now with the beauty of the internet and Pinterest, the expectation has been raised that this cute little elf will be in some creative scene or have caused some kind of mischief in your house.  Hey mommas!  That's a lot of work during an especially busy time of the year.

Despite all that I, like so many other moms out there, am a ....

Our Elf on the Shelf got his name the day he arrived at our house.  TURTLE!  Because, well you know, that's normal : )  Anyway his adventures didn't begin until Tuesday December 3rd, the day after we arrived back from our Boulder, CO Thanksgiving trip.   Below is a picture story of his journey through our home.  Under each photo I have simply captioned them as pinterest, from a friend, my pure genius (and I'm sure if you searched on pinterest someone will have already done it), and my pure laziness (the days where I was just happy to remember to move him)

Tuesday December 3rd

Pinterest

 Wednesday December 4th

Pure laziness (plus I was excited to have our tree up)

 Thursday December 5th

Pinterest

 Friday December 6th

Friend

 Saturday December 7th

Pinterest

Sunday December 8th

Friend

 Monday December 9th

Friend

 Tuesday December 10th

Friend

 Wednesday December 11th

My own genius

 Thursday December 12th

My own genius

 Friday December 13th

Pinterest

Saturday December 14th

Pinterest

 Sunday December 15th

Friend

 Monday December 16th

My own genius (Proud of this one!!!)

 Tuesday December 17th

My own genius

 Wednesday December 18th

Pure laziness

Thursday December 19th

My own genius (And in case you can't tell Turtle is having a viewing party of his movie- popcorn and all)

Friday December 20th

Pinterest

Saturday December 21st

Friend

Sunday December 22nd

Friend

Monday December 23rd (Our last with Turtle since Santa came early so we could fly back to PA for Christmas)

My own genius

The poem on the last day read as follows...

Santa Claus is in town!

Today is the day
To the North Pole I'll fly
In my magical way

Being your elf
It's a pleasure, a treat
Because Charlie and Jocelyn
You're so kind and so sweet

Santa, I'm certain
Is sure to bring toys
And stockings stuffed
With Christmas joys

Although my time 
Has come to it's end
I promise to come back
To you, my friends

Always be Good! xoxo Turtle

When you look through the pictures of Turtle's adventures in the Miller house it is evident we enjoyed his presence.  But here comes my big HOWEVER!  Mommas- don't go nuts and start your adventure with Elf on the shelf when your oldest is an infant or even one or even two.  Why?  Because even at 2 (3 in March) Charlie had to be reminded to "find" Turtle each morning.  And because at 1, Jocelyn has no grasp on the concept that Turtle's magic will be lost if you touch him.  This made for a few scary moments when Turtle was in arm's reach and Charlie was FREAKING out because Jocelyn might cause Turtle to lose his magic.  And if you begin your adventures with elf on the shelf when you have an infant, well, I'll keep it simple; You're CRAZY! (This coming from a person who loves all things Christmas)

That being said, don't think you are going to escape the joys of having your very own elf on the shelf.   And I'm certain someone reading this has said I'm not going to have one or I never would have had one of those for my kids when they were little.  To this I welcome suggestions!!!!  When Charlie is in kindergarten or first grade and all his friends are talking about how Santa has sent an elf to their house but not ours, please tell me how I explain this without crushing his little heart or steal the pure magic and belief Santa embodies.

For now Turtle and I have a love/hate friendship.  While I would like to stand proud and tell you Turtle will be taking next year off, I readily admitted from the beginning I am indeed a...