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Prairie Lights 2011

Prairie Lights 2011
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We decided to try out Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie this year after talking to several people who go each year. During the week it’s $20 a car and I have to say that it’s an amazing display. Near the end they have a Santa’s Village set up with a few carnival type ride and LOTS of carnival food (we planned ahead and stopped at a drive through just before entering the park). They had a chance for kids to talk to Santa and if they wanted to they could have their photo. Amelie wanted no part of it, but Nadia really wanted to talk to Santa and for the first time ever said she would like a photo. It turned out adorable!!!

Santa and Nadia 2011

In Santa’s Village they also had a laser light show (not worth it) and a walk through forest (totally worth it). The girls enjoyed being out of the car and telling us all about the cool lights.

Prairie Lights 2011

Nadia loves the Nativity scenes.

Prairie Lights 2011

I thought this was cute since “The Year of the Dragon” is coming.

Prairie Lights 2011

After the walk through forest we went back out to ride something called “Bear Affair” it was a tea cup sort of ride where you were mostly enclosed in a giant bears belly. Mike got it going so fast that I couldn’t stop laughing. The girls loved it and Nadia tried to turn the wheel to make it go faster. The girls rode the Carousel 3 times and we shared a caramel apple. You can go on the carousel and Bear Affair as many times as you want in the price of your car admission.

Prairie Lights 2011

Prairie Lights 2011

Prairie Lights 2011

It was a very fun night out and we plan on going back each year.

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Forest Park Mini Train

Forest Park Mini Train
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Amelie notices trains everywhere we go. We can also hear train horns from our house and each time she hears one she says, “Choo choo!” I knew she would get a kick out of riding the mini train so we headed over. While waiting to catch the train the girls had fun running around chasing Mike and I.

Forest Park Mini Train

Forest Park Mini Train

Forest Park Mini Train

I completely expected the place to be jammed with school being out, but it was basically deserted. So we got to sit in the front car!

Forest Park Mini Train

Amelie was intently watching everything we passed and commenting. She also asked to go in the water, but I told her it was too cold to swim 🙂

Forest Park Mini Train

Forest Park Mini Train

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End of music class – Fall 2011

Fall 2011 Music Class
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When Nadia was younger I took her to do the Music Together class at TCU. We did it for 3 semesters and while she loved the music and learned all the songs. She really was shy and nervous in class and often in the last semester didn’t enjoy it and wanted to cling to me. We found from the beginning with Amelie that she loves music. Even when she was scared and somewhat catatonic in China, if she heard music she would start to move her hands and bob her head. So I planned to get her in the class for fall 2011.

SHE.LOVED.IT! The focus was Bongos which was the first semester that I did with Nadia. It couldn’t have been more night and day experiences with the 2 girls. Amelie was in the middle of everything, trying all the instruments, dancing, jumping and having a good old time. My friend Rebecca was in the class with her daughter Reagan which made it even more fun since her older boy and Nadia had been in the class together when they were little.

Fall 2011 Music Class

Fall 2011 Music Class

Notice the bells on the feet too.

Fall 2011 Music Class

This was a great chance for Amelie to get some “mommy time” while doing something she clearly loved. We are signed up for next semester with Rebecca and some more friends so it should be really fun.