Disclaimer: This was not a super educational outing. But when I got to thinking about it, I recall from personal experience (both as a kid and a chaperon) oftentimes field trips are basically just a chance to get away from the bricks and mortar and out into the "real" world. Such was the case with today's adventures.
MOVEMENT & MOVIE: For starters, Annabelle had another special dance class this morning: "Ballerina's Christmas." I'm not sure what all it entailed, but am told by Annabelle that she and the others were doing "real ballet dancing." Not sure what it is she's doing every other time I take her to ballet. Hmm. ...
Meanwhile, CJ was at an Imax 3D movie at the Pacific Science Center. On the bill "Santa vs. the Snowman" According to its Web site, in the film, "Tradition is turned on its head when an innocent and lovable Snowman discovers Santa's Village and reaches in the workshop window to pick up a shiny, new flute. What ensues is an all-out, riotous battle for Christmas, with the Snowman and his minions squaring off against Santa and his elf army for the rights to the worldwide gift delivery franchise of the jolly man in red."It got six thumbs up (from CJ, Kennedy and Christian who all saw it together).
Bee finished ballet at noon and we two ripped over to the Seattle Center to meet the guys at the ice skating rink where CJ & Bee would be donning ice skates for the very first time in their young lives.
As we approached the rink (in the basement of the Center House), it was clear that every single Boys and Girls Club in the greater Puget Sound area had, likewise, decided to go on a field trip to ice skate at the Center today. Oh well. ...The fearsome foursome (everyone but me) got booted up and hit the ice. It was a teeming mass of barely-in-control (and some clearly out of control) humanity. The ice, much like Seattle streets, was lumpy and bumpy, full of potholes and fissures. So CJ and Annabelle stumbled and tottered around and poor Christian and Ken labored to keep them upright.
Fortunately, the group scored a slider/walker/really-bad-skater frame. Annabelle use it for a few laps but then graduated from it. CJ then grabbed on and it never left his grip until we left the rink. ; ).
From there, it was 605 feet upward, to the top of the Space Needle. There, we found a 21st Century St. Nick sitting in a rad rocket sleigh. CJ and Annabelle climbed aboard and while Annabelle was enchanted by Santa, CJ, however, was more interested in his cool ride. There were buttons and switches and a video display panel - things Santa just couldn't hold a candle to in CJ's mind. The photographers were trying to get CJ to look at the camera. He'd respond by turning his face toward them, but there was basically no getting his mind and eyes off the dashboard. It was pretty funny.
Next, it was on to a cookie decorating station. The kids got to frost and embellish (and eat!) rocket shaped cookies.
Next, we actually enjoyed the view for a few minutes before heading back down to the ground. Here is a shot of Christian and the kids looking out toward our neighborhood, on the Magnolia peninsula: 
LET'S TWIST AGAIN: Once we got home, we swung into Christmas dinner mode. We were celebrating our holiday dinner with Kennedy and Rick tonight. While I was prepping prime rib and stuff, we let the kids open a couple of presents early. One was a Twister game (thanks G&G!). Rick spun the pointer and hilarity ensued. I think CJ and Annabelle learned some new yoga poses tonight. ;)
At one point Christian walked into the room and said, "I used to play that when I was a kid."
Annabelle looked at him and (innocently) asked, "Do you think you can still do it, Dad?"
It was a very fun and full day. Tomorrow we might even crack a book. ...
Twist again like we did last summer, twist again, like we did last year... It's a great game. And we're happy that you had fun during winter break.
ReplyDeleteGreat song, too :)
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