Exploring Scottsdale

After arriving in Scottsdale early Sunday evening we checked into our room and then quickly went back out to find a place for dinner. Joe asked me if I wanted to go exploring to look for a restaurant and never missing a beat Jake replied that we could be just like Dora. So after eating a delicious meal at the Macaroni Grill (for which the kids favorite part was getting to draw race tracks and color the paper tablecloth) we decided the kids needed to expend some energy after sitting for so long, first in the car and then at dinner. Before long we find a beautiful huge park for them to run around. It was here that we came across a unique situation when the always regular Jake announced that he had to go stinky. You could see the urgency on his face. Joe takes him over to the restroom but much to our chagrin, it is locked. I could not possibly expect a 4-year-old boy to hold it while we travel back to the hotel nor was he ready to leave as we had scarcely been at the park for 15 minutes. So I took Jake around a corner where he would have some privacy and told him to pop a squat. I thought he would protest but he managed just fine. Of course, we have supplies since Jadyn is still in diapers and honestly I am surprised we have not found ourself in that situation before since we are always on the go but it makes for a pretty funny story even if slightly TMI for some.

Throughout the week the kids impressed us with their ability to adapt, especially when it came to eating. While it came to little surprise that Jadyn chowed down all the pasta and rice she could get her hands on, Monday when we dined at PF Chang's she literally devoured my cup of egg drop soup. Meanwhile, Jake not only came close to finishing an entire adult serving of their honey chicken, he even used the chop sticks to feed himself. Then on Tuesday at the Fox Sports Grill, Jadyn munched on spinach artichoke dip and on Thursday at TGIFs Jake requested carrots with ranch as his side in leui of french fries. Needless to say, I got plenty of new menu ideas for home watching them experiement with all our eating out (a major feat, especially for the ever-picky Jake).

Tuesday evening we took the kids to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a local attraction I had read about prior to our trip. This had to be the coolest place ever featuring a 5/12 reproduction of a Colorado railroad that takes you on a mile long track around the beautiful grounds of the park. While waiting to board the train Jadyn kept exclaiming that we were going to ride the train and then throwing in the sound effects - choo choo! I think Jake's face during our ride says it all:

On top of that, the park also has a carousel, something the kids had up to this point not had the opportunity to experience. Needless to say, they both enjoyed this as well. In fact, Friday before leaving Scottsdale we made a return trip to the park for one last train and horse ride.




Wednesday Joe had a lot of work so the kids and I went exploring on our own and found ourselves at Cracker Jax, an amusement park offering mini golf, go karts, bumper boats and video games. Now normally I would stay away from a place like this because Jake is not tall enough for most of the attractions. However, it just so happens that this particular facility had a mini go-kart track, which Jake happened to qualify for. Here he is before the big race:

And during:

Unfortunately, Jake could barely reach the pedal and although he could go, he could not go as fast as the other drivers and therefore he got a little frustrated as he watched the cars lap him. I think his Tony Stewart car at home goes faster than this car but he did think being on a track was neat and once inside both kids did enjoy the video games and skee ball.

So as one can see, we all had a lot of fun in Scottsdale and feel that we really made the most of the trip. I can definitely see us going back the next time Joe gets sent there on business, especially if he gets to stay at the same resort!

I hope everyone enjoyed celebrating Father's Day (Joe got extra time to play his new video game and cards from me and the kids). Tomorrow we start swim lessons so there will be more pool pictures to come. I love summertime.