Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Little Free Miniature Library in Chandler

We ran across this cute Little Free Library in Chandler.
It is outside a home and says Little Free Library. 
It is right across from Amberwood Park at the cross streets Ellis and Calle del Norte.

We have seen something similar on the Disney Channel so thought this was so fun to have right in a nearby neighborhood.

(This was not a sponsored post)

Monday, September 14, 2015

Arizona Science Center Visit


This weekend we visited the Arizona Science Center for a birthday party. Above is the entrance.
They are located at 600 E Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85004.  
This eye is looking all around in a giant telescope when you get down to the main lobby inside. The microscope ahead also has eyes. Up ahead is where you purchase your tickets.
Off the main lobby is the gift shop (under the blue sign) and the Lab Cafe (to the left) which serves hot grilled food as well as snacks and beverages including bottled Starbucks coffee drinks.
This is a sky bicycle you can ride. It is along the hallway after the planetarium,
Above is the bicycle docking station. Ahead is more exhibits. We were there for a party so mainly saw the party area, the outdoor water exhibit play area, made bottle rockets and launched them and ate in the lab cafe. It is a very large building so this was a great start for our 2 young kiddos. We can branch out to more rooms next time.
The show playing the day we were there was Can we live on Mars? Tickets were offered with the party but the kids had so much fun in the water area we didn't make it in for the show.
This is a view of the side of the planetarium facing back toward the hallway on the way to the lobby.
This is the outdoor water play exhibit. It had plastic balls like those from a ball pit that the kids can navigate using all kinds of water and air systems across the whole creation. It is a good way to cool off but they got pretty wet so it would be helpful to bring a change of clothes.
This was out front lining up to launch the bottle rockets using a tire air pump and water.
The orange thing in the sky is the bottle rocket flying. This was a fun project for the party where the kids decorated a paper to put onto their rockets and then got to launch them outside. 
Inside the Freeman Gallery is a good mix of activities for all ages including a nice little playspace for little ones ages 4 and under with building blocks and a miniature house to play in.
This is looking across the Freeman Gallery. There is an antique wagon, giant Map of the Phoenix Metro area and many details on how houses are built. 
This is also in the Freeman Gallery. 
This is a building area in the Freeman Gallery for kids of all ages. The kids that day build a little fort out of the blue foam pieces.
This photo above is heading into other galleries including ones about the body. We didn't make it in there on this trip but are excited to try it out next time.

At the Lab Cafe we had chicken fingers and fries and a cheese and green chili quesadilla with salsa and sour cream. The food was cooked to order and very quickly made. It is a fun little cafe with a good variety of sandwiches, salads, hot dogs and other grilled items. Our son has a peanut allergy and was able to find good options he enjoyed and that were safe for him.
If you park in the Heritage Garage on 123 North Fifth Street you can walk across the courtyard up to the Science Center. Bring your parking ticket inside and get it validated for a discount on the parking rates. We were there on a Sunday from 10:30am to 2:30pm and only had to pay $5 instead of $12 for the parking. 
This is another view of the front entrance.
This is a view of Heritage Square and the courtyard out in front of the science center with lots of room for the kids to run around.
This is a different angle of the grassy area out in front of the center. This is where they launched their rockets.
This is a view on the way back to the Heritage Square parking garage. It is to the left right behind the palm tree so very close and you don't have to walk across any roads to get into the science center. 

(This was not a sponsored post.)





Thursday, September 10, 2015

An artistic and fun treat at Peixoto Coffee in Downtown Chandler Arizona

A few days ago we tried Peixoto Coffee in Downtown Chandler on Arizona Avenue and enjoyed these beautiful and tasty lattes and pastries.
Above is a small latte and a Chocolate Croissant.

Above is a small latte and a chocolate chip cookie. You can really see the artistic design in the foam on this latte very clearly. It makes the coffee extra special. 
This is a view inside from the front bar. The decor is very modern and stylish with reclaimed wood, and a contrast between wood chairs painted black and the natural wood. The lighting gave an extra elegant and interesting touch with Edison bulbs above the counter and gallery style spotlights around the room which shone like stars against the black walls and ceiling. The staff were so friendly and courteous and told us all about the different pastries. The mood was relaxed and casual but sophisticated.
Here is a view from our seat at the bar at the front window looking onto Downtown Chandler on Arizona Avenue. 

We really enjoyed our coffee date at Peixoto and will be back for another soon!

(This was not a sponsored post)

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Chandler Fashion Square Mall outdoor area and restaurants

The outdoor sitting are at the Chandler Fashion Square Mall in Chandler, Arizona is one of our favorite places to go grab a meal or Starbucks, let the kids run around and enjoy a nice shopping environment. It is also a great place to cool off with the splash pad, just remember a change of clothes for the kids. Then we will often walk over to the Harkins Movie theater to see a movie. Here are a few pics of the area today. Our favorite family restaurant is The Old Spaghetti Factory where we sit inside the trolley and enjoy the Mzithra cheese spaghetti!
The view above is facing the mall entrance with the food court inside. Starbucks can be seen to the left and Kona Grill beyond that. The patio area above is actually a driveway for valet parking car drop off as well.
Up the stairs will take you to Starbucks on the left. Through the patio will lead you into the Mall food court. On the right before the mall entrance is the Salty Senorita on the right and Kona Grill on the left.
There are twinkle lights on the palm trees that start to show as the sun goes down and add ambience to the area.
There are many tables with chairs and umbrellas around to sit and enjoy the outdoors while
eating a snack or waiting for a movie to start. The grass is artificial so no worries for those with grass allergies.
During the day they have the orange umbrellas open for shade for anyone sitting.
 At night there are lights in the ground that are fun for the kids to run through the water and look at.


This was not a sponsored post.

Friday, September 4, 2015

Mini Pokeball Perler Bead craft

Our 6 year old made these cute and easy mini pokeballs using Perler Beads (I did the ironing).
He loves to use them in his imaginary Pokemon catching games around the house.

(This was not a sponsored post)

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Chandler, AZ pre-thunderstorm clouds - near Dobson and Chandler Blvd



The lighting from the other side of these clouds was stunning before the storms yesterday. These are near the post office off Ray near Galveston in Chandler, AZ.

(This was not a sponsored post)