Pretend City

 On February 9, Hannah and Xavier met Andrew and I at Pretend City.  We decided to purchase a year membership so that we could enjoy it over and over again.  A daily ticket is $12.50 per person, so as long as we go 6 time the yearly membership pays for itself.  The other huge benefit is that you can go in an hour before the general population.  In the photo above, you can see that Andrew LOVES the place and took off without much worry.

 There is a special member story and craft time that Andrew was so into!  We read Curious George and made our own smily face with hair and bubble eyes.

 As always, Andrew loved the theatre.

 We saved the best for last with the marina--the boys got themselves completely soaked (like expected).

Orange Empire Railway Museum

On New Years Day, we joined Louie, Kristin, and baby Enrique for a cold trip to the Orange Empire Railway Museum.  Their website promoted that everything was open and the trains were running and we were both free!  Louie was more excited that anyone!

 Andrew immediately recognized the trains and began the pointing and "ohhs" and "awws" over the choo-choos.  He enjoyed the view from his multiple layered jackets and blankets!

 It was pretty empty (literally we were the only ones there for the first few minutes and then another family added to our tour) so we had our very own tour guide.  He led us into and out of several train "barns" giving us information and history about the trains and other items in there.

 There were several of these mini play trains to climb in and out of--all the boys got in!

 Andrew's favorite part was ringing the 10 different types of bells and whistles.

 To end our trip, we rode the trolley around the entire museum with our very own conductor.

Pretend City, Take 2

 Hannah and Xavier met Andrew and I at Pretend City in Irvine on September 8th.  Originally we were supposed to have several other Bumpies join us, but between plans changing and illness, it was just the four of us. Andrew quickly remembered how much he liked the farm.  He picked tomatoes, strawberries, and dug in the "dirt." 

 I actually let him play in the beach this time.  He almost immediately started throwing sand on himself (like he does with water) and thought it was the best thing on the planet.

 We found a very cool room that Tawni and I had missed.  The "theatre" had a bunch of jumping/climbing tools.  Xavier showed Andrew how it was done!

 Being a firefighter!

 Using a screwdriver!

driving the fancy car

  Xavier was back into the sand playing with the big trucks.

 In the dentist office, Xavier played with the wooden blocks and Andrew excitedly cleaning the giant teeth.

 And, of course, both of their favorite parts was the Marina!  Andrew was pretty quick to splash all over, including Xavier who wasn't quite ready to get wet.

 See the dripping water off his head?!?  Yep, that was all him!

 He found a little ledge that he could stand on to make huge splashes!

 Xavier totally got into it too!

 We tried to go play in the house afterwards, but both boys desperately needed a nap.  I couldn't help but share their "sweat stain" water marks from playing so much in the Marina.

I'm starting to think that I probably should have bought the year membership--Andrew loves it and I do too!