Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Summer Adventures, part 2
The Dallas visitors bureau started a campaign advertising Dallas as the BIG D. In a few places around town you would see a large B&G. The instructions were to stand in the middle and make your own moment - placing I in the BIG D. Sweet Son wanted in the B since he's a boy. Sweet Daughter wanted in the G since she's a girl. I took the center position. I tried standing with my feet on the suggested places, but those were wider than my shoulders and made for a really awkward photo. This was my favorite.
These are still around Dallas. If you search online you can find the current locations and make your own moment.
Included with admission to the Summer Adventures was admission to the aquarium. The kids had no interest in petting the sting rays, but Sweet Daughter because so excited to see her favorite animal.
The iconic swan boats were also free (included), so we had to take those for a spin around the lake.
Now for the bad news. This highly entertaining way to spend a day is no longer open. They didn't advertise very well and attendance was awful. After spending $30 million to open this and just breaking even running it, they have decided not to have it again. I wish they would have given it longer to be successful. Expecting any new business to be profitable in the first 3 months is crazy, especially with the lack of advertising. We were looking forward to going again and the kids are already asking when we can go back.
The boys take a selfie in a swan boat.
Now for the bad news. This highly entertaining way to spend a day is no longer open. They didn't advertise very well and attendance was awful. After spending $30 million to open this and just breaking even running it, they have decided not to have it again. I wish they would have given it longer to be successful. Expecting any new business to be profitable in the first 3 months is crazy, especially with the lack of advertising. We were looking forward to going again and the kids are already asking when we can go back.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Summer Adventures in Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
I had heard about the Summer Adventures at Fair Park from some friends. You pay one price to get into the fair grounds and then all of the rides are free. In addition to that, they added splash parks, free sunscreen dispensers, and you got one free bottle of water with each admission. This sounded perfect for a family adventure!
There were no lines. Ok, the log ride had about a 5 minute wait, but that was the only line we saw the entire time we were there. There were also a few state fair style shows that we walked by or attended.
I think everyone who has seen these wants a turn, but they are usually so expensive. However, they were included, so we all four took a turn.
We do have photos of the adults jumping, but they aren't flattering so I'm not posting those!
After getting our fill of the rides, shows, and splash parks we had some fair food. We discovered in addition to the typical fried foods, they also offered some healthy options. We ate inside an air-conditioned tent and enjoyed the large clean bathrooms. Just about the time this sounds too good to be true... the post will be continued tomorrow!
Getting ready to go inside.
Riding the Texas Star!
This ferris wheel is a Dallas icon. It goes more than 20 stories high and on a clear day you can see the Fort Worth skyline (40 miles away). During the state fair this costs $7 per person and has the longest line at the fair. We walked right on and rode for free (included in ticket price). We quickly did the Math and realized we only had to ride 2 things to make this cheaper than the fair.
Sweet Daughter jumping.
I think everyone who has seen these wants a turn, but they are usually so expensive. However, they were included, so we all four took a turn.
Sweet Son jumping.
Riding on a roller coaster!
The log ride - the only ride that had a line.
Driving tractors - Sweet Daughter in pink, Sweet Son in blue.
Riding on flying dragons
After getting our fill of the rides, shows, and splash parks we had some fair food. We discovered in addition to the typical fried foods, they also offered some healthy options. We ate inside an air-conditioned tent and enjoyed the large clean bathrooms. Just about the time this sounds too good to be true... the post will be continued tomorrow!
Friday, July 4, 2014
Pinocchio
We are working our way through the Mensa for Kids reading list. This is not a Summer reading list. These are challenging lists that cover great literature for each age group. One of the books on the list is Pinocchio. This is not the Disney version or any of the short, easy readers. This is the full translation of the original. Hundreds of pages of small print with a drawing only every 3-4 pages. We read some every evening and many afternoons as well. I promised the kids if we finished it in time, I would take them to see the play Pinocchio.
We did it. We finished the entire book. One of the local children's theaters was doing the play so we went to see it. The kids sat amazed. At the intermission I wanted to know what they thought. They went through point by point all of the ways the book was different from the play. I tried explaining the play only had 7 people in it and they were limited in sets. I was amazed at just how much of the book they really processed and remembered. I like setting up the expectation of reading a book and going to see the stage show though. So much better than just watching a movie or cartoon.
We did it. We finished the entire book. One of the local children's theaters was doing the play so we went to see it. The kids sat amazed. At the intermission I wanted to know what they thought. They went through point by point all of the ways the book was different from the play. I tried explaining the play only had 7 people in it and they were limited in sets. I was amazed at just how much of the book they really processed and remembered. I like setting up the expectation of reading a book and going to see the stage show though. So much better than just watching a movie or cartoon.
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