Provo, UT

I’m always looking for something to do with my daughter. Socialization and structure are key (for both of us!), but more importantly, whatever she does has to be fun. So I was thrilled when I found out about the new children’s gym that will be opening in Layton this fall. And even more so to attend a FREE demo class at Chelsie Meadows Park.

I love to visit Gardner Village! It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your entire family, and also a wonderful girl’s day out. There are almost two dozen charming little shops, a restaurant and a bakery, and a petting zoo where you can send your husband off with the kids while you indulge in a relaxing treatment at the day spa…or just shop your heart out!

Dinosaur Park is an exciting opportunity to wander into the prehistoric past and imagine what the earth (and Utah) was like when dinosaurs roamed freely. It’s not quite Jurassic Park (and considering how that turned out that’s a good thing!) but you can see and hear more than 100 dinosaurs.

Fairies and dragons, princesses and knights held court Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Fairy Tale Ball at the Children’s Treehouse Museum in Ogden, UT. Hosted this year by King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, guests were invited to dress up in ball attire or as their favorite storybook characters, and were treated to dessert, live music, and a performance by puppeteer Randel McGee and his tame dragon, Groark.

As a former competitive ballroom dancer, I love watching shows like “Dancing with the Stars”. But until recently, I had no idea that there were stars dancing in my own backyard.The 160-member BYU Ballroom Dance Company is the largest collegiate dance program in the world. Artistic directors Lee and Linda Wakefield are former U.S. Theater Arts Champions, and it shows! The BYU Ballroom Dance Company has been undefeated in the U.S. National Formation Dance Championships since 1982.

We went to Payson City Memorial Park today. It’s a quaint little town park that makes you feel like your back in the 50’s, why you ask?

Peteetneet is open on Wednesdays, and By Appointment the rest of the week. The museum was awesome. I had never really seen it before, even though I lived across the street most of my life. I’d been to Peteetneet many times, but generally I was outside playing on the grounds. This former school is built on a hill, so it’s absolutely perfect for ice blocking in the summer and sledding in the winter, which I’ve done a lot. There is a smaller hill for young kids, and a bigger one for those of you that are seeking more of a thrill. Peteetneet also has a rose garden with a path, a playground, and an amphitheatre for events. But today, I finally got to see the inside of this awesome school.

If Holland is just a bit too far to travel for an afternoon, you can discover the beauty of tulips in full bloom a little closer to home. At the third annual Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point Gardens in Lehi, UT, you can see 250,000 bulbs in glorious bloom over 55 stunning acres of estate gardens. Running from April 11-28, the Tulip Festival also offers live entertainment, gardening demonstrations, a photography contest, arts and crafts vendors…and unmatched beauty.