Why I Love Thanksgiving Point

Nestled close to the I-15 in Lehi, Utah, is a wonderful place named Thanksgiving Point.  This was one of the very first places we visited when we came to Utah to visit my brother and his family.  It has a children's farm, a Museum of Ancient Life, beautiful stores to shop in and world class gardens to roam through.

I took the kids back to Museum of Ancient Life this week.  They simply love this place.  Utah is known for being prolific in the discovery of fossils.  Their collection is amazing. The museum manages to combine serious science and facts with interactive displays just for kids.  We spent well over an hour wandering through the exhibits.  I sincerely appreciate how much of the museum is hands on for the kids.

I could easily say this was my favorite place at Thanksgiving Point.  I could...but it's not.  Just a few steps away is the Thanksgiving Point Deli.  This deli is known for making everything there from scratch.  Everything there is always fantastic.  They have wonderful salads, soups, desserts and sandwiches.  Oh...the sandwiches!

The Italian Sandwich at Thanksgiving Point Deli

I am originally from Philadelphia  and consider myself a serious critic of sandwiches.  The Italian sandwich from the deli is among the top 3 I have ever had.  It is considered a MUST visit every time I come to visit my family.  The bread is obviously fresh and has just enough chewiness not overwhelm the bite.  The meats are plentiful and authentic.  The deli adds just the right amount of pepponcini to add to the tanginess that complements the salty meats. The only bad thing I can say about this sandwich, is that it is no where near where I live.

We are going home again in a few days...I wonder if I have time to go back for just one more!

3-2-1 Thanksgiving Libation

The family and I are spending the holiday week with my brother and his family out in Utah.  There are a couple things about Utah you should know.  The first thing is Utah has the corner on large indoor family attractions that double as retail outlets.  Seriously, my girls went on a full size Ferris wheel while I shopped for Broncos gear.  They also have gigantic aquariums and restaurants inside next to giant stuffed dead game on display.

The second thing you need to know is you can only buy liquor and any beer over 3.4% alcohol at a State run liquor store. It can be quite a hassle, the local store is not large and doesn't have every kind of alcohol you might be looking for.  For instance, I wanted to make Pumpkin Pie martinis for Thanksgiving and they don't carry Pumpkin flavored Schnapps.  What is a girl to do?

With a little experimenting, I was able to come up with a perfectly good substitute for us to partake in.

3-2-1 Thanksgiving Libation

Pumpkin flavored coffee creamer
Vanilla vodka
Bailey's Irish Cream

The easiest part of this recipe is that the name is also the directions.  3 parts creamer, 2 parts vanilla vodka and 1 part Irish Cream.  Mix in a martini shaker and pour over ice.  You can decide how many people you are serving and just multiply the amount you need to create a shaker full.

Enjoy!

It's The Busiest Time Of The Year

When I was a kid, I never really understood the term "Time flies when you are having fun".  After all, it did seem like a million years until Christmas came!  Apparently, once you become a mom, the world's time clock shifts into overdrive and suddenly you are fighting and clinging to every day as it slips away into the chaos of everyday life.

My Three Blessings

It is so SO easy to get caught up in the daily grind.  Get kids up, get 'em fed and dressed, pack their lunches, make sure they have all their homework, bring band gear, run errands, get dinner ready, pick up kids, homework and then tuck them into bed as you fall asleep 20 minutes after they do.  It is hard for me to believe that we have finished 1/3 of our school year already.  It seems like yesterday they were getting ready for their first day.  *sigh*  Time really does fly!

School, karate, scouts, YMCA Princesses...the list just doesn't end!
Here are some of the things we have done this month!  We've had a Literature Day event at school, we went and spent a really fun day in Old Town San Diego, Z lost another tooth (actually pulled it out herself) and we had a pretty good scare one day when A's eyesight went nutty and we thought she was losing her eyesight.  I write these things down now, because in a month I won't actively remember them like I do right now.  With three kids and a an equally busy husband, the memories are made so fast and furious, that my inadequate memory bank can only hold so much at a time!

All the things Z is thankful for this year

I know that my kids won't remember all the details from past month either, but I continue to hope that I am contributing to a positive and loving childhood that will create a feeling of family that will remain with them forever.

Halloween 2012

I know, I know...it has been over a week since Halloween and I am just now writing about it.  As a mom with three kiddos and a job, you will have to learn to deal with my belated postings!

Momma is hiding in this fancy mask

My kids have a long and storied tradition of NOT liking to trick-or-treat.  My son started this at a young age, and it has permeated to the two girls.  All it takes is one crummy neighbor to jump out and scare a kid, to ruin it for the rest of their lives.

Our neighborhood is not ideal either.  We living in an older neighborhood with lots of hills, little lighting and large lots.  This does not make for quick or fun trick-or-treating.  Last year was really the last straw.  All of the kids bought new costumes and then refused to go further than three houses away.  After that, I basically canceled Halloween.

When the subject came up again this year, I let them know that I was not buying any new costumes and we could maybe go to the mall.(even that idea scared them).  As Halloween drew closer, I couldn't help but wonder if my kids would grow up having all these negative memories associated with a pretty fun holiday.  Isn't part of our mommy job to help kids learn about these social traditions?

I was saved when I received an invite to join my friend, Shelby, at her neighborhood to trick-or-treat with her family.  I figured it would be worth a shot, so I haggled out an agreement with the kids where I would take them home if it was scary and they would give it a college try.

Green Lantern, Alice in Wonderland and a FAB Princess

Our trick-or-treat gang

My friend lives in an area with newer, high density housing.  I have to say, some of the great perks of living in this kind of area is that they are filled with mostly younger families and it is easy to get to know everyone.  We even got water for one of the kids at a neighbor's house.

Once we got past the first two houses, my son was running ahead for the rest of the night!  He really loved it.  If there were any houses that even looked like they would be scary, he just skipped it and went right to the next.  My girls were in heaven and it was fun to walk around with crowds of parents and crazy kids.  My favorite house had a large screen TV hooked up outside next to a keg.  My kind of people.

The only bummer of the night was having to call it quits.  Boo to all Halloweens that happen on school nights. But I am not going to be greedy! I am so grateful that we were able to have this memorable Halloween before they grew up!

Kids reaction?  "BEST HALLOWEEN EVER"

Best Birthday Ever! (at least, that is what I was told)

My own Prince

If there is one thing I know...my son loves a good swashbuckling.  I mean, what is not to love?  Fast paced horse riding, intense competition skills, excellent one-to-one fighting and of course, a beautiful Princess!  Did I mention food too?  Because it would be impossible to forget all the food you get fill 'yer belly with.

We took our kids and a best buddy to Medieval Times in Buena Park for my son's 11th birthday.  Parties are grand, but this was an event.  I absolutely love doing family events for special days rather than parties.  Aside from the obvious upside of not having to prep and clean for a bunch of kids, the event is usually something we quite enjoy as adults too.

Medieval Times is a fantastic show/dinner experience that you have to see to believe.  As you are seated, you are assigned into one of six colored sections that determine which knight you will be rooting for.  We were lucky enough to get a very handsome Red/Yellow Knight.  The knights have a tournament and there is a evil guest in waiting, trying to ruin the King's event.  Our knight ROCKED!  He even threw my girls a carnation, as a token of affection.

So happy to get a pink carnation!

Back to the food...you will genuinely love the no utensils thing, I promise.  Tomato soup, chicken, ribs, garlic bread and dessert are all included.  We had to take home several boxes of food, since the kids get the same amount of food as the grown-ups!  While not 4-star cuisine, we really enjoyed the food and were very pleased with the quality.

Getting some grub!

Now, back to the action!  Our knight bravely fought off several other knights and was then challenged by the the bad guy!  But never fear!  Good will always win over evil at Medieval Times.  To top off an extremely well-enjoyed show...our victorious knight was then able to present ONE lady in the audience with the "Queen of Love & Beauty" sash.  I couldn't believe he chose my oldest girl!  Well, she was the loudest one in our section!  She was presented with a tiara from the Princess as well.  WOW!  Talk about making a girl's night!  Heck, it even made her whole week.

My "Queen of Love & Beauty"

Hmmm...like it, but don't think I can make this an "everyday" look