“Trade your expectation for appreciation and the world changes for you.”

Day 7:

I've been so thankful of the garden over the last few days as we've spent most of our time sat out on the trampoline listening to music, drawing and playing games. As rubbish as this situation is I hope that for many people it really makes them appreciate the space that they do have. People always seem to want more but when it comes to situations like this would 'more' actually mean anything?

I will (as always) be focusing on the important things in life. Like the people that really make this life worth living.

"A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities."

Yesterday while I was cleaning Seth's room I stumbled upon a well hidden box of Lego I didn't even know we had. I'd sat and organised most of the Lego a few weeks back and this box had managed to go undetected. So while we were waiting for tea to cook we emptied out the hidden box and Seth came up with a family Lego competition. Build a futuristic vehicle.

Seth's little face lit up when Mrs M sat down to join in too. I think Seth loves the fact that he can be the master builder and show mommy how to build. I love how he proudly takes the things I've shown him and explains them to Mrs M.

Opeie was busy pottering about so Seth decided Opeie could be the judge. I don't need to tell you out there how much I love Lego, it really is the best toy ever. Anyway after about 40 mins of building, Seth told us it was judging time. We each had to present our creation to Opeie and try and sell it to him, like Dragons den but with Lego. So here are the results as picked by Opeie:

Bronze went to me. I think I lost points for it being a single seater but also because the driver was on his phone while driving, tut tut...

Silver went to Seth and his flying/driving space vehicle that split Into two separate vehicles for excellent getaway, built in CCTV and ejector seat. The Lego vehicle equivalent of a Swiss Army knife...

And gold went to a very proud Mrs M (who couldn't cover up that certificate smile) for her very pink police/fire truck from space. Space to carry baddies below. The driver/pilot is part mutant and has wings for swooping down on the less desirable members of her planet.

Even though he spent the Lego session pottering about Opeie still managed to dazzle us with his building skills by creating this head transporting vehicle. A great little unexpected building session and a fantastic toy that I could happily write about every day.

Gifts from the Pirates in Orlando - Wonderworks

Wonderworks is the sort of attraction that even if it were to get thousands of bad reviews on trip adviser it would still draw tourists in on the outside cosmetics alone. We had spotted the place on the first day we arrived last year but then it would be pretty difficult to miss a giant building that looks like it has been ripped up from the ground and flipped upside down. Although we wanted to check it out, our previous holiday was all about universal and shopping. This time though thanks to Visit Orlando we visited the upside down house to see what it was all about.

Firstly there is a big parking lot behind the attraction so plenty of space to park and although we had to pay for parking it was $3 for the few hours we were there so definitely not going to break the bank. I had skimmed through the brochure about Wonderworks but i don't like to read to much in to where we are going, i like the element of surprise. Mrs M on the other hand loves to check reviews and what to expect. When we had got in there and flashed our press pass (which is great, makes you feel very important), we had to go through a room that looked like a spinning vortex. Opeie did not like it one little bit and screamed so Mrs M had to find another entrance, he was fine once we got inside though.

Wonderworks is a series of exhibits, fun activities and a look in to the wierd and wonderful. The first exhibit that me and Seth stepped in to was a hurricane chamber that blew us with hurricane speed winds. Seth loves anything extreme weather related so naturally he loved it. we then moved upstairs where there was a bubble lab that was lots of fun...

And I got to lie on a bed of nails, we tried desperately for Seth have a go but he seemed to be under the impression that he was going to end up impaled even though he had watched me and Mrs M lie on there.  

 

Seth was speechless when we came to the rain that was going upwards, it blew his mind. There was plenty of sports related activities and Opeie loved the giant piano in the floor, it was just like out of the film 'big'. There was plenty to keep the boys entertained and it was great for all ages.

We all got blasted in to space with a series of space themed activities

 And while in the art gallery section of the attraction we got a chance to become one of the exhibits. I managed to freak out some other visitors that couldnt work out what the the exhibit was all about. Seth made the best face when he popped his head in.

 

The whole attraction took about 2 hours to walk around although at the end there is a rope challenge that lets you put on a harness and make your way around a roof assault course. Seth loved the idea of being a bit of a daredevil but sadly just the idea of it, the harness was as far as we got before he had a panic and decided he wouldn't be having a go.

If spending all day at the parks isn't your thing and you just want something that can keep you and the children occupied for a few hours then Wonderworks is a great way to spend that time. It was refreshing to go somewhere where there was no queuing between activities. The location is great too as its near to Pirate Cove Adventure Golf, CSI: The Experience, Titanic The Experience and many other attractions. They all run along the I Ride Trolley too so easy to get to even without a car.

The little scientist gets a day out at Thinktank

We've all been having such a great half term and have managed to really make the most of it. Seth has decided recently that he's really in to science so we've been doing experiments at home. Yesterday we decided to take the boys to ThinkTank to fuel Seth's new passion and we were really pleased when auntie Lotty said she was going to come with us. We all love Lotty she's so much fun and yesterday was the first time Opeie said 'Charlotte' which was so cute.

 After picking Lotty up we headed to Birmingham, we were looking forward to having lunch at TGI's to start our adventure, Opeie had other ideas...

Typical Opeie, he's such a cutie though. Lunch as always was lush but in great Opeie style he didn't want to eat his. Lotty decided she was skipping lunch and went straight to dessert (my kind of girl).

After lunch (and colouring) we headed to ThinkTank and as soon as we walked through the entrance we were hooked, there was so much to do everywhere you looked. We really didn't know what to do first so after having a little wander about looking at fossils and a crocodile in the floor we asked Seth what he wanted to do and he decided he wanted to go to the 'Big bang Show'. The show was great with lots of explosions. I was so busy taking in what was going on around me that i didn't take as many pictures as i would have liked.

  My favourite part was the old cars and motorbikes...

After looking out of one of the windows and seeing the outdoor play area the boys were itching to get outside and play so even though it was freezing outside we headed out to explore the activities.

After the play area we headed home, it was getting on a bit and we wanted to miss the rush hour traffic (didn't really work out though). We didn't manage to get round even half of Thinktank as there was so much going on so were going to buy a years pass and go again soon. Only 3 days left of half term i cant believe it's gone so quick. Ill be counting down the days till the Easter holiday.