Winter Holiday

Right now it is vacaciones de invierno, or winter holiday, for all the schools in Buenos Aires.  They all have the last two weeks of July off.  Which means there are a lot more kids out and about, and a lot more kid-oriented activities.

For example, on Tuesday we went to a children's science museum.  It was a great museum, and would have been a great experience if
a) we didn't have to wait in line just to get in
b) we understood more Spanish and could read all the instructions
c) it wasn't jam packed with people
d) I didn't have a big double stroller to maneuver through all the people
e) my 1 and 3 year old kids wanted to do what my 7 and 9 year old kids wanted to do and vice versa.

As it was, it was a little stressful and frustrating.  And yet, the kids still had fun overall.  They probably had the most fun in the light/mirrors/lenses/reflection/refraction/etc room, playing with this full length mirror.

Speaking of lenses, these pictures made me realize how dirty Sienna's camera lens is!

Then today, while visiting a mall, we stumbled upon a supervised play area only open during the winter vacation.  It was completely free, with a Lego table, drawing table, dress-up clothes, face-painting, etc.  No line, no crowds, happy kids, happy Mom.

 

A mall courtyard playground provided another good hour plus of entertainment.