The best things in life are FREE!

With all the changes our family has been going through recently, we find that we are somewhat...um....economically challenged. (And we aren't alone!)This has pretty much put a stop to our family outings, with the exception of our local dollar theater. That is why I was thrilled to find out that there is tons of cool stuff out there that we can do for FREE! We have been dying to check out the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage. I was excited to find out the the second Tuesday of every month is "Free Tuesday" at the Museum of Western Heritage. We paid a visit last week and had a great time. The girls' favorite exhibition was "Granite Frontiers: A Century of Yosemite Climbing" which will continue until October 4th. The kids were able to handle actual rock climbing tools and climb on a "portaledge", a hanging tent system which rock climbers use as a temporary shelter during longer climbs. We also especially enjoyed the "Chinese Home". The girls dressed up in authentic Chinese costumes. Skylar and Haley pretended to cook in the kitchen of the restaurant, while Kaelyn manned the old fashioned cash register. If you wish to purchase lunch at the museum, the "Golden Spur Cafe" offers children's meals at pretty much the same price as a MacDonald's Happy Meal. The meals are large, filling and the fries are great. If, like me, you would rather bring your own lunch, you can sit outside on the museum grounds and have a picnic lunch. There are even picnic tables!With its many interactive displays, I was pleasantly surprised at how "kid friendly" the Museum of is. My girls are already asking to return!

The Autry National Center’s Museum of the American West
Griffith Park Campus
Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA, 90027-1462
T. 323.667.2000
F. 323.660.5721
Summer Hours: On Thursdays, in July and August, the museum and Museum Store are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Golden Spur Cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

http://www.autrynationalcenter.org/

Haley's Art Work

A drawing of big brother Christopher playing basketball.

Annual Acton 4th of July Parade

The things we do for our kids...

I love my children more than anything. Like any good parent, I would be willing to risk life and limb for them. Therefore, I knew that it was only a matter of time before I would be forced to watch "Hannah Montana: The Movie". First, I tried to convince my girls that Hannah Montana aka Miley Cyrus is really an evil child genius trying to take over the world through clever marketing. When this failed, I fell back on, "Well, we can't really afford a trip to the movies right know." However, when the Hannah Montana movie hit the local dollar theatre, I knew that my doom was almost upon me. Monday's at the Cinemark 12 in Lancaster is family night. Tickets on family night are only .50 per person. Ah, for the days when they couldn't read! So, last Monday, I packed my purse with enough chocolate to sustain me for 1 hour and 42 minutes of watching perky little Miley Cyrus bounce around the screen exclaiming "Sweet niblets!" Although the movie was every bit as awful and corney as I had feared, I must admit some of her songs are kinda catchy. The most important thing is, that my girls loved it and in spite of the movie, we really had a great
time.

If you are interested in an inexpensive movie night, the Cinemark can't be beat, as long as you don't mind seeing the movie after it has been out for a while. Here's the info:

Cinemark Movies 12
44790 Valley Central Way
Lancaster, CA 93534
Recording:
1-800-FANDANGO Exp Code 1438#
Office: 661-945-5183
Fax: 661-945-5084
Prices from $2.50 to $1.25
Mondays are Family Day, 3 guests or more pay only .50 each.

For more information, go to: http://www.cinemark.com