#139- Hold a Piston Cup

Santi has been asking to have a Piston Cup so I knew I wanted it on the list for this summer. I did not know exactly what he wanted or what he envisioned. One day I just got out a poster board and some paper and created this Piston Race Track in 10 minutes...maybe less.

After I told Santiago what I was doing he instructed me on what it needed. As you can see.....or maybe not, there is a asphalt track, a dirt pit which is called pit row (Santiago informed me), a winners circle (complete with piston cup), and an emergency team area. 

This is the stand for the spectators.

Then we raced our hearts out.

I was able to yell out lines from Cars ("McQueens blown a tire, McQueens blown a tire.") as we did it which made him very happy.

We had to stop by pit row several times because Santiago is a dirty racer. He was always pushing me off the track. He said he was "Chick Hicks and thats what Chick Hicks do."

Lily stayed occupied with Princess Sofia.

I eventually had to get it laminated because it was falling apart. He still uses it.

Why do we spend money on toys?

#17- Make Paper Guitars & #61- Family Band

We made a guitar.

Santiago played and made up his own songs.

I got out story dice and rolled them to give him ideas of things to sing about. 

Then we played together as a family. 

Awwww! Fun times!

#12- Homemade Twister

This is our homemade twister. We used it for family home evening one night. 

They loved it. I was taking the pictures while I was playing so they are not great.

Afterwards Santiago came up with a game of his own. 

It was a color dance party game. Innovative. So cute.

#26- Boardgames

We got this "Paw Patrol" game for Santiago. It is a great quiet game for when Lily is sleeping. We soon found out that even half of the 72 tiles makes for a frustrating game for a 3 year old. The brilliant creators of the game outlined one side of each match in opposing colors. (They must have small children.) We lay them face up in one red and one blue pile. One person picks up a card from their side and the other person has to find the matching card on their side. 

Then we play games with the matches. We find a pup, his badge, and his vehicle, and line them all up and talk about what they each do. Really he is learning so much from this little game. Best $4 ever!

Backyard Swimming

This was just a fun day in the back yard. 

It was one of those magical everyone is happy kind of days. 

They seriously love the water. 

It makes me happy to see these pictures. :)

#142 Visit Temples

"I Love To See the Temple"

Santiago also loves to go to the temple and asks to go often. 

This is our closest temple.

We have also visited a few others this summer 

St. George Utah Temple, and the Las Vegas Nevada temple. 

The St George Temple has a huge visitor Center with exhibits, 

and kids activities, and movies and such.  I know those pictures are somewhere too....

It is so peaceful and beautiful even on the grounds. The temple workers are always so kind. 

They often give the kids a snack and talk to them when we go in.

There is a nice waiting area right inside we often stop there for a bathroom break and a drink. 

#20 Build Sand Castles

I have been holding on to this one for awhile because I know I have more pictures but I can't find them so here is #20 Building Sand Castles.

You have to understand how often Santiago asks to go to the beach. 

He starts asking for the next trip the minute we get home from the previous one. 

This kid LOVES the beach and his sister is following right behind him.

#145-Italian Ice

Mmmmm! Rita's. Italian ice and custard. Need I say more?

#134- Ride a Train

There was also two trains in this mall and the kids took a ride with their Papa.

On a side note.....this mall was incredibly family friendly. I LOVED IT! In addition to two trains, a Koi and turtle pond, water fountains, carousel, and a few kid play areas, they also have a family lounge with a resting area complete with the latest Disney Movie couches and chairs, comfortable nursing stalls, family bathroom with tall and short toilet and sinks, several diaper changing stations with filled diaper wipe warmers, microwaves, and who knows what else.  

#120 Find a Rope Swing

It is to exactly a rope swing but they played on these at a mall in Valencia and they really liked them.