We had an awesome Saturday. So awesome, in fact, that I feel obliged to share. Friday evening was spent debating whether or not to take our children to the “big theater” to see Tangled Saturday afternoon. Please understand, we are not movie goers. I am more than happy to wait until the movie reaches the “dollar theater” to view it. We just don’t have the need to see movies the day (or the month) they come out. Plus, we’re cheapskates. It would have cost us $28 to take all four of us to the theater for a 2 hour movie, so I decided to come up with another idea as we really didn’t want to spend the money.
Saturday morning was fairly typical, Cute Husband spent time in the wood workshop making Christmas presents, I spent a little time cleaning, taking care of the kiddos, getting a little editing done, etc. Had lunch, put the kids down for a nap, and then it got good. Are you ready for this?
Kids wake up, we get ready to go, load up the car and head to Salt Lake City (with a stop at the woodshop for daddy on the way there).
First stop: Discovery Museum
My kids love this place. We’d been once before, and they just play, and play, and play. It wasn’t super crowded (which was nice on a holiday weekend) and we stayed for about 2 hours. Normally it costs about $8 per person to gain entry (including adults) but I had previously purchased a deal through livingsocial.com for all 4 of us for $11. Parking was an additional $2 (but for all day parking downtown that’s pretty cheap!). Total cost: $13
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Next up: Dinner at Jason’s Deli
Still in Gateway Mall, so we walked over. I love that your meal includes free ice cream (who doesn’t?), and their sandwiches are pretty amazing. My kids can still split a kids meal so that helps with cost. I had a B1G1 free for Sam & I, and it turns out (pleasantly surprised) that kids eat free all day Saturday with an entree purchase. Total cost of dinner for 4 including dessert: $7.50
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Continuing on: TRAX ride
Since we were downtown anyway and in the free zone for TRAX, we took the kids on an inaugural ride on the train to Temple Square. They thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread, and we all got to warm up a bit before heading back out into the cold. Total Cost: $0
Lastly: Lights on Temple Square
I love our annual visits to Temple Square to see the Christmas Lights. I love all the people milling about in the cold, the nativity scene, the reflecting pool, and all of the lights. Our favorites are the two-toned light strands. I need to find some for our house. We took our kids up to see the Christus statue, and I think Rachel is old enough to appreciate it. And, both my kids were able to manage the whole trip without a stroller. Hallelujah. Makes things sooo much easier. Total cost: $0
We rode the train back to the car, where the kids promptly fell asleep (totally exhausted) proclaiming that it was WAY late (only about 8:30pm) and this was the BEST night ever. *sigh* I love them.
Total cost for a 5 hour, 4 event, evening of awesomeness for 4 + baby: $20.50. Boo-yeah. 🙂
P.S. Before you start criticizing my awesome photos, lets chat about cell phones vs. point & shoot cameras. What do you think? There was no way I was bringing my “big” camera, and we often argue the best camera is the one you have with you. That would be my phone. I have an Android Nexus One by HTC. The camera is decent, especially for photos that I just want to have on my phone. I’ve pretty much given up on scrapbooking. But, are they good enough should I decide to print them in a shutterfly book? meh… I’m not sure. Its still up for debate.
Your outing looks AWESOME!! I wish I could go! Now, for the pictures. The only one that you can KIND OF tell that it’s the phone camera is the one of Cara at the restaurant. Now, I’m no camera expert, but your pictures look great. Print them. You’ll wish you had when your kids are taking their kids on outings. Just be grateful you have a “cool” phone that can do that. Seriously. Kevin hates our phone, but we’re getting by with what’s cheapest for now. Just my 2 cents.