Kiddie Pool Life Hack

Jeff insisted that the kids get a much bigger kiddie pool this year. I didn't want something that was a permanent feature. We came to a compromise with the largest inflatable pool we could find. It's a whopping 120.0 " L x 72.0 " W x 22.0 " . That is a pretty good size for a kiddie pool.

The one thing we hadn't thought about was filling it. If we use straight hose water it is FREEZING and because of the volume it NEVER warms up during the day. I came up with an idea that allowed us to fill up the pool with our warm "house" water. It has been a lifesaver. The pool is actually usable and it's ready for the kids as soon as it's full. PERFECT!



First remove the head from your kitchen faucet (it easily unscrews)

Next bring in one end of your outdoor hose into your kitchen window

Use Duct Tape to secure the hose to your window sill

Line up your faucet line to the hose and secure it with Duct Tape.
Then turn your faucet on Hot and watch the warm water flow right out your hose and fill up your kiddie pool!!

 

Utah Arts Fest 2014

It is time for the Utah ARTS fest again. We loaded up the kids and headed downtown to check out all the sights. This year one of the main sponsors was "Shock Top" and the kids LOVED the Cars decked out in Shock Top Mohawks. The kids "Art Yard" had a Mad Hatter party and the kids were able to let their creative juices flow and create awesome chapeau's. There were life sized cows, chicks and tractor's that the kiddos helped decorate. Our "big" purchase was two bow and arrow sets that A and a were super stoked about.

 Oh yea there was also lots of art. Jeff and I got to do a quick perusal of the art in between kiddo activities. Someday we will have a civilized art focused time at the ARTS fest again but now is not that time. I am sure when that time comes we will miss our crazy times in the kids art yard.

 

The Graduate

Big A has passed his first milestone. He is now a Pre-School Graduate. He went to Challenger and has loved school. He made lots of “Buddies” and learned so much. The last day was a “Circus” theme and the kids were invited to come in costume. Big A insisted on being a Ninja Turtle.

 

After his last day of school we took the kiddo’s over to Murray Park and I had a little photo shoot for our graduate. Our Niece V graduated this year and had these adorable pictures from her pre-school graduation in cap and gown. It was so fun seeing her then and now. Big A wore Daddy’s cap and gown from when he graduated the U. In 2027 I’ll have these cute shots of A and it will be fun to see his transformation from our little guy to a young man.

After the shoot we took A and a to Toys R Us for their big surprise…we got them bikes! They were SO excited and couldn’t wait to get out on them. We were talking about if we thought they would fit in our car and Big A said “We don’t need them to fit in the car.” I asked why not. He said “ Because we will just ride them home!” I laughed and told him it was too far (We are about 5 miles from Toys R Us, a bit far for training wheels). Big A said “It’s okay Momma, I’ll be careful, I’ll just ride behind the car.”   Our little ones are growing up so fast.

 

104 days of Summer Vacation...Fun In Utah...Everything you need to know - Info, prices, hours

"There's a 104 day of Summer Vacation..." The Phineas and Ferb theme song keeps running through my head as Big A is about to finish up Pre-school. This is our first official summer vacation. The first time that we have an actual deadline on our summer fun. Until now it's just been an endless stream of family fun, nothing to impede our play. Now Kindergarten looms in the distance, just waiting to steal our Big A away.

I feel like I have an obligation to make summer SUPER fun for the kids. It's like I have to make up for the fact that Big A will be entering school in the fall with extra fun this summer. I came up with a bunch of ideas of fun local (Salt Lake City area) places we should explore this summer.

 I saw a bunch of lists on pinterest of fun places but nothing that gave the down and dirty info. I wanted locations, times, and especially prices. So I went to researching all the fun places I had thought up and decided it would be a good list to share with you. SO below is a list of family fun places around the Salt Lake area with all the info, and Here is a printable PDF for your own reference.

Summer Things to Do

 

Hogle Zoo

2600 East Sunnyside Avenue | Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

Phone: (801) 584-1700

 

March 1 – October 31
Gate:	9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Grounds:	9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Adults                                    $14.94
Seniors (65 and older):	$12.95
Children (3 to 12):	$10.95
Children 2 and younger:     Free   Living Planet Aquarium 12033 South Lone Peak Parkway Draper, UT 84020 Phone: 801-355-FISH (3474) 10am -6pm Daily   Adult $15.95 Senior (65 and Older) $12.95 Student (College ID Required) $12.95 Teen (13 – 17) $12.95 Child (3 – 12)  $10.95 Baby (2 and Under) Free   Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum   444 West 100 South in The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City Phone: 801-456-5437   Monday- Thursday 10am-6pm Friday-Saturday 10am – 8pm Sunday Noon-6pm   General Admission $8.50 Senior (65 and older) $6.00 Children under 1 Free     Thanksgiving Point 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way Lehi, UT 84043 Phone: 888.672.6040   Farm Country Spring/Summer Hours (April - October): 10 am - 8 pm Closed Sundays   Admission:  Adults $7.00 Children  $7.00 Babies (2 and under) Free   Gardens   March 29 - September 30:  9 am - 8 pm Closed Sundays   Admission:  Adults $15.00 Seniors (65 and older) $12.00 Children (3-12) $12.00 Babies (2 and under) Free   Museum of Natural Curiosity   Monday - Saturday 10 am - 8 pm CLOSED SUNDAY   Admission:  Adults $15.00 Seniors (65 and older) $12.00 Children (3-12) $12.00 Babies (2 and under) Free   Museum of Ancient Life   Monday - Saturday 10 am - 8 pm CLOSED SUNDAY   Admission:  Adults $15.00 Seniors (65 and older) $12.00 Children (3-12) $12.00 Babies (2 and under) Free     This is the Place Heritage Park 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave. Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Phone: 801.582.1847   May 24 - September 1 Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00pm Sunday 9:00 am – 6:00pm Admission: Monday - Saturday  Adults $11.00 Seniors (55 and older) $8.00 Children (3-12) $8.00 Babies (2 and under) Free   Sunday Admission:  Adults $5.00 Seniors (65 and older) $3.00 Children (3-12) $3.00 Babies (2 and under) Free   Lagoon Lagoon Drive Farmington, UT 84025 Phone: (801) 451-8000   June 1 – August 24   Fridays 11:00 am – 11:00pm Saturdays 10:00am – 11:00pm Sunday- Thursday 11:00am – 10:00pm   Regular: $47.95 (48 inches to 65 Years Old) Senior (65 and Older): $42.95 Youth: $35.95 (Under 48 Inches)   Costco Discount Regular Passes $39.99   Boondocks Draper:  75 East Southfork Drive Draper, Ut 84020 Phone:801-838-9800 Kaysville: 525 S. Deseret Drive Kaysville, Ut 84037 Phone: 801-660-6800 10:00am – 11:00pm (Most Days) Indoor Unlimited Pass - All Ages $15.95 Includes: Laser Tag, Bowling (Includes shoe rental), Rollerball, Kiddie Cove and  a $5 Game Card     Fun Packs Pick 2 - Includes 2 attraction passes & $5 game card $13.95 Pick 3 - Includes 3 attraction passes & $5 game card $18.95   Each Attraction pass good for choice of: Go-Kart Ride Bumper Boat Ride Round of Miniature Golf Laser Tag Game Game of Bowling (includes shoe rental) Individual Pricing: Mini Golf 1 Round $7.00       Bumper Boats 1 Driver (minimum of 44") 1 Passenger (minimum of 36") $6.00 $3.00       Go-Karts 1 Driver (minimum of 58" for Road Track and Slick Track, 48" for Rookie Track) 1 Passenger (minimum of 40") $6.00 $3.00       Rookie Track 1 Driver (must be 48" tall) $6.00       Batting Cages 24 Pitches 1/2 Hour (1 stall) 1 Hour (1 stall) $2.00 $15.00 $25.00       Laser Tag 1 Game (minimum of 40") $6.00       Roller Ball 1 Game $3.00       Bowling Weekdays (Monday - Thursday and Friday before 4pm) Per Player/ Per Game   $3.50 Prime Time (Friday 4 pm - close, Saturdays , Sundays & Holidays) Per Player/ Per Game) $4.00 Shoe Rental $3.00       Kiddie Cove Unlimited Play (Under 48”) $3.00