Even though it was a really hot day for March, we went to Odysea in the Desert for the free “Big Bug Petting Zoo”. It was too crowded and we had to wait in a really long line. I thought we wouldn’t make it. But once we got to the actual bug part, the boys were in love.

They got to tickle some giant stick insects!

They loved the soft tarantulas

Trevor wanted to cuddle the giant millipedes

The cockroaches were having races. The boys helped to catch the ones that tried to escape the arena!

It was an early release day from school, so we picked up Trevor’s friend Brolin and spent the afternoon at LegoLand. They just opened the “Dinosaur Explorers” room in place of the space room.

The boys pushed a button on this box and nearly jumped out of their skin when a dino hatched out of an egg with a loud crack. I wish I was taking video.

There is a cool volcano with touch screens set up with instructions to build different little dinosaurs.

We made our own freestyle doofy dino!

Later that evening, I learned that HopeKids had a few last minute extra tickets for the Parada del Sol Rodeo, so we grabbed our friends Amber and little Blake and drove up to see it. I am glad I keep headphones with me in the car, the arena was so SO loud. The announcer on the speakers was so loud I couldn’t understand what he was saying.

All of the boys were taking selfies before the event started.

We had pretty good seats to see the action but the boys didn’t really get it.

OUCH

There really was a monkey riding a dog

The night was late, the boys were tired and there is a LOT of waiting time between each ride and between each event. By the time we got to the calf wrangling, the boys were upset that the cowboys were being mean to the cows. We didn’t stay to see the big bulls.

We are always grateful to HopeKids for these unique experiences. Maybe we won’t do another rodeo until the boys are a lot older!

Trevor is fascinated by police and special forces. He says he wants to be a SWAT cop when he grows up. But he isn’t sure, he might be a chemist instead. When I heard about the Chandler Public Safety Fair and that the SWAT team would have their robots on display, I knew we had to go.

The robot was cute

The boys got to explore the “medical rescue” fire truck.

Brendan was buckling himself in. Good thing it is only for play!

Water truck

Waiting for the parade to start

They had more fun playing in the street before the parade came

It was mostly politicians in convertibles and they got bored

They got to try on real cop gear

The robots were doing demonstrations

I am glad that we could go and see something that Trevor has so much interest in. It was a good time!