I suppose yesterday was the polar opposite of Friday.

Had a REALLY nice day.

Finally made it to the Star Trek exhibit at the Aerospace museum (which is just a few miles from our home).

Dh's aunt is visiting from the east coast, and so this is why we decided to finally go. She really enjoyed it.

The Star Trek part was somewhat obnoxious. No pictures allowed (unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for them to take one - like $15 a pop???). Forget that!

You'll just have to take my word for it, that I Was there.

Their wesbite also really talked up all the original sets and stuff, but I don't know if we saw much that was original. (Most everything clearly said "replica.")

It was still cool, just kind of annoyed by their sales tactics.

Anyway, we saw a replica of the ship's bridge, the hallway of the ship, Captain Picard's quarters, and some weird set they had from an episode of when they traveled to Earth's past. They also had the transporter room - of course! They had a TV screen where you could see yourself "disappear." I didn't realize initially that someone was manning it (thought it was just automatic). I think some poor guy had to "transport" the kids 100 times. We kept ending back there for some reason. Of course, I asked LM where he was transporting to, and he said "the basement." LOL. Mind you, you may have never met someone with a bigger imagination. So I said, "Well you can transport anywhere in the universe." "The basement." Okay, then.

In addition, part of the exhibit was a ride simulator. IT was just this little pod that they lock you in and flip you all around. The kids REALLY Wanted to go on this. Again, completely NOT LM's personality. So though I was proud that he was brave enough to try it, I didn't really think it was a good idea. He couldn't ride with an adult because you had to be of similar weight to whoever you rode with.

Thankfully, someone overheard our discussion about this and informed us that there was an "calm" setting so it wouldn't flip upside down. Looking at the "adult sized" harnesses I felt this was probably the only way LM should ride, anyway. But, of course, BM was not that happy about it. Oh well.

They had a BLAST and so dh rode with BM so he could do the upside down one. Keeping in mind my ride with the whales this year (& the endless puking) I decided I didn't want to give it a whirl. BM is lucky that he has an "underweight" father. They squeaked by on the weight difference. I figured BM has no fear and could hold his own. He did get knocked around quite a bit, but was worth it!

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Dh's GrandDad had sent us a check for about $100 for Christmas, so I figure the day was a treat on him. We probably spent close to $85 between lunch and all the rides (his dad paid for our admission).

Lunch was interesting because his aunt wanted Mexican and so we stopped at a hole-in-the-wall place by my work. It was a restaurant and then they changed it to a taco bar or taqueria. Was still good, though not the same extensive menu.

Anyway, in the months or years since we have been, they changed it back to a full restaurant. Woohoo! They have great lunch specials, so was a nice find.

We also tried a new pita place last week when dh met me for lunch. (YUM!) Down the street, a new Golden Corral popped up (the kids love that place - there is a Golden Corral at our half way meet up point, where MIL often picks up the kids for a few days).

I've spent so many years going home for lunch, I told dh with the kids in school, he needs to come meet me once in a while during tax season. Will be nice to get a break on days I may not be up to much more than a short lunch.

Oh, to top it off, dh spotted a Togo's! It looks like it has been there FOREVER. I usually drive a little out of the way for a Togo's for lunch. All along there has been one right down the flipping street? Probably best I didn't know.

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Anyway, the kids had a blast! I think we all did. But the best part was definitely watching the kids. Christmas money or not, I didn't give the money a second thought (which happens like never!) It was just a really nice and fun day.