On Top Of Old Straty

When I read on Kellie's blog (Thanks Kellie!) that it was FREE for locals on weekends during the month of January to take the elevator to the top of the Stratosphere (usually $18 per person!) I knew we had to make it happen. Apparently every other local felt that they had to make it happen too, because they line was way long:

 

 

Happily, and surprisingly, it went quite fast and soon enough we were at the top. There is a sign that says "Don't lean on glass," which Eric decided to disregard:

 

 

It was cool seeing the sights during the daylight hours:

 

 

I don't think of myself as particularly frightened of heights, but being up that high makes me a little dizzy and nauseated. We stopped at this window to watch the people do the Sky Jump (jump off the stratosphere). There was a steady stream of people doing it the entire time we were there and they all looked rightfully scared.

 

 

After checking out the inside, we headed outside to the viewing deck to watch poor unfortunate souls ride the rides. This is something I really never want to do again. Just watching them gave me anxiety.

 

 

The kids also had no interest in riding them and were content to watch (thank goodness!).  

 

 

Lastly we took a number of pictures before heading back down the elevator.

 

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Kellie also mentioned on her blog that they give you a coupon for pizza slices and drinks at the pizza place, so we copied her once again and ate there too.

 

 

It was a beautiful afternoon. Really, every day this January has been perfect (weather wise).

 

Also, if you are reading this and still want to take advantage of the free promotion, they are doing it every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in January so you could still go on Friday January 31st!

Charter Basketball

This year Jackson played on a new charter school basketball league that his school is a part of. It was the first season so there were quite a few hiccups and frustrations (including games being canceled after you have driven 40 minutes to get there), but watching Jackson play was so much fun it made up for the inconveniences.

 

During Jacksons first season of team basketball I noticed that he lacked a bit of aggression. But not this season! This season he wasn't afraid to get in other players personal space to defend against them or steal the ball.



Offense:






A stolen ball and a breakaway!



Free-throw shooting:



Their team was made up of 3rd and 4th graders, co-ed, and won about half of their games, with final scores looking a lot like this:



But man it was fun.

Piano, Games, Batons & Grandparents

After leaving Utah, Eric's parents came and stayed with us for a couple of days before heading down to Arizona to visit more family. They are easy-peasy house guests, who basically entertain my children the entire time they are here.

We played, multiple, multiple games.



Although the men did join us eventually I posted this picture on Instagram with the caption: "My idea of game time vs their idea of game time."



Whenever they are here, Eric's mom (LeAnne) teaches Megan a few more things on the piano and gently encourages her to learn to play. And it finally worked! Megan consented to piano lessons and has had TWO so far.



Sade did a little jig to the music:



Like piano playing, LeAnne can also get Megan to do other things that I could never get her to do. Like baton twirling:



Just think of all the things I could Megan to do if they visited more often!