Moab Giants

Since we were heading up to Utah Valley to attend cousin Emma's baptism and to drop Curtis off with his parents, we decided to make a small vacation out of it. We left home as early as we could so we could get to Moab right when Moab Giants Museum opened. We wanted to be able to walk around and see all the replicas without getting heatstroke. Even at 10 am it was really hot. 

This museum is very new, having just opened in the last year. We watched it being built and when we saw the large replica dinosaurs out on the grounds, we knew it was something we were eventually going to spend the money to go to. 

Fortunately for us, they have a 'locals discount' that allowed our whole family to get in for under $40. For a family our size, that's a real bargain. (last year it cost us about $120 to get into the aquarium in SLC) We did the Dinosaur Walk first thing, then went back and watched the movie and went into the actual museum part. Then we went into the gift shop and bought some souvenirs. I was surprised that even their gift shop prices were not extreme, it seemed quite reasonable to me. They also have a cafe, which looked like it had good food, but we didn't go into it. Maybe next time.

Here are some fun photos of our adventures:

The gang just inside the gates, ready to go...

The whole thing revolves around dinosaur tracks and how they formed and created. 

Every different replica has a placard to explain what type of track it is and gives an example of the type/species of dinosaur that would make that kind of track.

Sadie channeling her inner 'raptor' 

Just the right height for a 'smooch'!

I was blown away by the size of this one...

I absolutely can't imagine being near a live creature this size. The ground would've literally shook with each step...

And can you imagine the size of it's 'cow-pies'?

Had to do a little cheer stunting to be able to reach the tip of its tail...

They had a few places set up for fossil digging. There were misting stations for the waiting and watching parents. It was a very welcome thing.

The salt cedar was in bloom....I love the color and feathery nature of its blooms.

Had to do a little rodeoing on the Triceratops. I loved that there were some replicas that were open for touching and climbing on for photo opps. That made it a lot more fun.

Charlie going for his 8 seconds...

Soren trying to stay on his wild mount...

James wasn't too sure about being in the 'hot' seat.

It really was hot and was hurting his legs...

Sadie was pretty comfortable on hers...

Hannah was multi-tasking...yoga and rodeo at the same time...

I've seen large skeleton exhibits before but to be able to see a fully fleshed replica was incredible. I'm so glad they are extinct. I would hate to have run into any one of them...herbivore or carnivore.

This was the final replica, the piece de resistance....The T-Rex

Can you just imagine that thing chasing you?

I loved how they put it in a perfect place for a great photo. 

I thought the kids did a great job 'running' away.

Sadie seems to know something Cambria does not!

Soren and I were in trouble....he was catching up with us fast...

They had a playground and some other fun things to climb around on....

Sadie trying desperately to save Hannah

Charlie doesn't look too scared for being in a T-Rex's mouth...

Looks like he got Sadie, too.

Soren trying to escape

They had some really cool exhibits inside the museum. This one was really fun for the kids. It had a couple of games that were projected onto the floor, one was Tic Tac Toe, and the other was a track recognition and trail game.  It had some other interactive things, like you stand near an exhibit and act like you're trying to catch little dinosaurs as they run past. The other people can stand by a monitor and see you on screen as you try to catch the little CG dinosaurs. 

Hannah and Soren playing Tic Tac Toe

James doing one of the other activities

They also have a short 3D movie about the creation and evolution of the earth. Of course, it is depicted from an evolutionist viewpoint. But the 3D graphics were cool and don't we look cool in our sweet shades?
(We often talk about creation and evolution. I don't know what processes Heavenly Father used to create and shape this earth, nor how long it took, and it could very well have happened exactly like the scientists think. But we always emphasize that the earth was created by Heavenly Father for a purpose and that was for his children, who we are.)

My crew waiting for the movie to start

The glasses were a bit large for James' head....

I would not include this picture but James wanted to take a picture of me so I thought I would put it on this post. I think he did all right, even though he so wonderfully captured my extra chins. ;)

this is a much better angle

They also had this cool swing in the playground. All of my kids who tried it declared that we need to put on in the backyard, or in their bedroom!

Soren 

Isn't he dressed well for Moab? A black T-shirt and dark gray sweatpants???

Hannah

Cambria and Hannah

James

We had a blast at this attraction and I'm glad we took the time and shelled out the money to visit. It was well worth all that we spent! I hope we'll be able to go again when they get their 5D aquarium opened up. #MoabGiants

James' Preschool and prep for K

 I didn't feel like James needed to go to preschool away from me, but felt like he needed something to do  to keep him occupied while everyone was at school and to help him learn a few things, so I enrolled him in the free online preschool program run by the state called Upstart. It uses the Waterford preschool program and is quite academic. I don't really care if he does great at it, I really just want him to do it to keep him busy.

When I enrolled him I told them that we had a computer he could use to do it on, but then the computer got damaged by the lightening and so when we went to the orientation, I told them about that and they supplied us with a computer for him to use. How nice! He's been very excited to have his 'own' computer. And thankfully the kids have been able to use it for their homework as well. 

The requirement of the program is to do the reading portion for 15 minutes a day. But they suggested we as parents require 20 min a day, which will move them more quickly through the material and have them better prepared for school when they go next year. So I do require James to do 20 min of reading and 15 min of math/science 5x a week. And he is very diligent. It's the first thing he does after eating in the morning. He has progressed nicely through the program and is now reading. He struggles more with the math, but I know that will come as he gets a bit older, so I'm not worried about it. Here are some pictures of James during the last few months, as we have done 'preschool' and helped him get ready to go to the grade school next year.

James had to go with me to the orientation in Blanding and had some evaluations done, 

so they'd know where to start him out.

Working away at his 'own' computer.

His first day using the program. He's feeling like a big boy!

Other parts of James' day and ways he's growing and getting ready to go to Kindergarten...

He likes to watch a little video after doing his computer work.

He often wants a 'picnic' 

He's hard to resist. This day it was a bit early for lunch so he had cookies and milk.

When the weather was nice, he practiced riding his bike, trying to get the pedaling part down.

After the weather got colder, we pulled out the Wii so he could do it for some exercise and call it PE.

running on WiiFit

bowling

Boxing

Way to hit him!

golfing

baseball

Way to go, HOME RUN!!

Sometimes we play games...

this is a consonant as the first sound matching game. He's got them down.

 We did go to a play group a couple of times during the winter so he could meet a few kids who will be in his same grade. He was shy the first week, but got braver the next time. I haven't done a good job providing him with social activities, but with a large family, you get lots of interaction at home.

Its somewhat hard to believe that he will be in school next year. He's really growing up and becoming a boy rather than a toddler. I am thankful for his chance to use this program, as I think it will help him feel 'smart' when he starts. I just hope he doesn't get too bored and shut down. He is now reading and working on a 1st grade level. So fun to watch reading click for my kids. I hope James learns to love learning and school and will be the best student he can be! Watch out MES and world, here he comes!