Top Ten Tuesday – Pictures from Our Staycation

We had a fantastic Spring Break, right here in Grand Rapids.

The weather actually felt like Spring for a couple of days, and it truly was a break. I didn’t realize what a ridiculous amount of driving I do during the week; escorting my children hither and yonder. It was nice to have every destination simply be about having fun.  I took 10 million pictures last week, but since this is not “Top Ten Million Tuesday” Oh Amanda is gracious enough to host this fine carnival, I have complied with her guidelines and reigned myself in to the Top Ten pictures from our staycation.

1. The Aquatic Adventures of Johnny Starfish and the Mermaids from the Grand Rapids Ballet was awesome.  Johnny Starfish is a rock star, and the mermaids are his groupies.  The tickets were $5.00 each, and included pre-show entertainment and a nice little goody bag.

2.  The aforementioned pre-show entertainment included dressing up in costumes from previous shows.  I believe this was Peter and the Wolf.  Or maybe Wolfman Jack.  I’m not sure either of those were actually characters in a ballet performance, but they should be.

3. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is free on Tuesday afternoons, so of course that’s when we went. Kids could wear bird masks to get excited about the Audubon exhibit.

4. There was also a very cool printmaking activity.  I don’t know what this has to do with any exhibits, because I met a really nice mom and was talking to her instead of paying attention. (‘sup, Kelly!)

5. We had a delicious lunch at Art & Bev, which included enormous hot chocolate with a preponderance of whipped cream.  They were $1.00 each.

6. Maybelle is a little crafter, and completely got her fix at the library making this most excellent paper plate chicken.

7.  Less expected than a craft but equally excellent was a petting zoo.  A.P. got to feed a calf. At the library. In the city.

8. We had a fantastic time at Koetsiers Greenhouse.  Here is A.P. feeding the bunny before the kids took a tour, rode the Bee Train, and ate more than their share of snacks.  It was all very reasonably priced at free.

9.  The kids also got to do some planting.  Maybelle chose pansies, and A.P. chose watermelons.  Both plants are currently fighting for their lives under my care.

10.  The Gem and Mineral show was fantastic! It was like an incredible museum in the middle of Rogers Plaza.  Admission was free, but for $0.50 the kids got an egg carton and could choose 12 rocks (gems, minerals, whatever) and label them.  They LOVED it.

I spent a whopping $6.50 on each kid for everything you see here.  It was an amazing week and I felt very fortunate to have so many things to do with them.  How was your Spring Break?  I want to hear about it!