Archive for "Things to Do"
LEGO Build Day with the Children
Posted on March 26, 2026 by Ching under Things to Do.
The same weekend that we did Overnight at the Museum, we were in full nerd-out mode and had a LEGO build day with Kendra Wicks (one of our pickleball daughters) and Jared Smart, local LEGO expert. I had gotten the LEGO Insects Collection set from Brian’s parents for Christmas but hadn’t found time to complete the builds because I knew it would take several days and I didn’t want to be in the middle of a partially completed build when the cleaners came. I was afraid that I would lose parts and pieces in our last-minute scramble to de-clutter before cleaning day. We have lost so many things this way.
When I found out that Jared is a LEGO expert, I figured we would be able to complete all three insects in one sitting with his and Kendra’s help. We were able to complete what would have taken us (Brian and I) days in less than two hours!
Brian and Jared decided to work on their builds solo. Jared took the praying mantis and Brian took the beetle, while Kendra and I worked on the butterfly together.
Jared who, is a pro at building LEGOs, actually finished his praying mantis first. He also helped the rest of us with ours.
Here’s the butterfly that Kendra and I completed.
Brian chose the most elaborate of the three project and finished his beetle last.
Here are all three completed insects.
I didn’t really get any LEGOs growing up because they are kind of expensive. As an adult, I’m now completely obsessed. Here are some of the other LEGO projects that I want to build:
- LEGO Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees
- LEGO Botanicals Hibiscus Flower
- LEGO Botanicals Orchid
- LEGO Botanicals Flower Arrangement
- LEGO Icons Tranquil Garden
- LEGO Art Love
Anyway, not sure what I would actually do with all of these if I ever get around to building them. I might have to buy a special display cabinet. What about you all? Do you like LEGOs? What are your thoughts on my latest obsession?
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Overnight at the Museum
Posted on March 23, 2026 by Ching under Things to Do.
Brian and I had our first Overnight at the Museum experience at Exploration Place last month. It was a lot of fun but in some ways not quite what I expected. Brian and I weren’t sure we would know anyone. Seeing Jake, Christina, and Melody there definitely made it more fun.
Here’s a snap of the schedule:
The night started with a pep rally before we were fed boxed meals from Firehouse Subs for dinner. After dinner, there were three activities to choose from — capture the flag, skeeball tournament, and scavenger hunt. You could participate in some or all or none of these activities. Brian and I skipped the capture the flag (he didn’t want to do any running) and scavenger hunt but we did play some skeeball before roaming around the the museum — partly to check out the exhibits but mostly to scope out a good spot to pitch our tent. However, we now understand why they give you earplugs and sleep masks in your welcome bag.
Prior to the event, Exploration Place sent us an email of what to bring and what to expect and they told us it would be pitch dark so we should bring a flashlight (false – we didn’t need a flashlight at all) and that it would be cold in the museum overnight (also false but probably not the museum’s fault because we had an extraordinarily warm day).
After considering several areas, Brian and I decided we would camp in Explore Kansas area because (a) it was part of the areas marked “quietest sleeping area” and (b) we felt it would have the better view because of the glass wall next to the river. Anyway, this map was also false. None of the exhibits were turned off and many of the lights remained on all night. It was still very bright. Thus, no need for the flashlights they told us to bring. I’m not sure if someone forgot a step or what. LOL.
At one point in the middle of the night, I asked Brian if “those people” outside our tent were ever going to quit talking and go to bed. He explained to me it was the freaking TV that was part of one of the exhibits. I also kept thinking surely they’ll turn the lights and exhibits off at some point. Nope. Even the simulated tornado thing, which doesn’t seem loud when people are buzzing about the museum but is quite loud in the backdrop of silence, remained on all night long.
The next morning, we were served muffins for breakfast and coffee out of a super slow Keurig coffee machine which Brian wanted none of so we actually stopped by the Mokas next door on the way home. Anyway, the experience was fun overall but I’m not likely to get Brian to do it again. What are some other events or activities that you all think we should try?
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Illuminations VIP Preview Night
Posted on January 2, 2026 by Ching under Things to Do.
We went to check out Illuminations at Botanica before it opened to the public. It was a rainy night but we went anyway. We wanted to return when the weather is better but got super busy and now the season is over. 🙁
I guess we’ll just have to try again next holiday season.
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Pentatonix with the Dills
Posted on December 31, 2025 by Ching under Things to Do.
We don’t go to very many concerts so going to Pentatonix with the Dills (and Shorts) last month was probably one of the highlights of November, if not the whole year. What an amazing treat to be able to watch them perform live.
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Drone Festival at Exploration Place
Posted on December 8, 2025 by Ching under Things to Do.
We got to do some really fun things this year but the drone festival at Exploration Place was definitely one of the highlights. This is our first time attending because our busy schedules have always prevented us from going in years past. However, when I saw they were using music from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Superman, and Harry Potter, I knew we absolutely had to go see it this year.
Not having attended before, we really didn’t know what to expect. Even though it was just the two of us going, I purchased a carload pass to guarantee our parking. We also paid for seats so we didn’t have to carry portable chairs. We weren’t sure how that worked exactly but they had a pretty good system. Each seat had an attached lanyard with a plastic pocket. You wrote your name on cards and then slid it in the plastic pocket to claim it (see photos below). So if there’s a card, that means the seat is taken. You just had to look for seats with empty sleeves. We went on Sunday (the final night of the show) and several seats either had missing lanyards or missing plastic sleeves. Brian had this idea to sit behind seats without lanyards or sleeves because, in theory, people couldn’t claim them — because, how would they right? Well that didn’t really work because people figured out quickly, those seats were open because they obviously couldn’t be claimed, and they were sitting on them anyway. LOL.
Oh, funny story. Before claiming our seats, Brian almost got into an altercation in the parking lot. Brian was trying to back into a parking stall. This guy was standing next to a nearby vehicle either vaping or smoking (I couldn’t remember which) but just basically standing there. As Brian is backing the car, he decides to finally walk to the event site. He basically walked into the path of our car as we are backing and then has the audacity to yell, “Watch where you’re going, asshole!” Brian couldn’t just let it be so then he rolls down his window and chirps back at the guy, “I can see you!” So then the guy turns around and comes back like he’s going to do something. They exchange some more works, which I can’t remember now, but I remember Brian saying something like, “Way to ruin a good evening.”
Anyway, we don’t even end up parking in that stall because at this point Brian is paranoid that the guy is going to come back and slash his tires. He just gave us a sort of unhinged vibe so maybe? Anyway, Brian find a parking spot much further away from the original spot he was trying to park in. We get our cards and claim our seats but we also want to leave our stuff while we walk around to see the new Ice Dinosaurs Exhibit inside Exploration Place and see the drones at the staging area. Brian is like, “Hell, no. We are not leaving our stuff here.” He was worried the guy would mess with our water bottles and such. I’m like, “You know, if you didn’t get in fights with people, you wouldn’t have to worry about them jacking with your stuff.” LOL. Sometimes we create our own problems. I did finally convince him to leave the backpack with our beanies and blankets (which we brought in case we got cold later in the evening) but he insisted on carrying his water bottle with him.
I took some pictures of the drones at the staging area. I believe they used over 400 drones in the show this year, which is even more than last year. They also used 80 or so for the test flight. It’s basically a calibration run but also an opportunity for spectators to move to a better viewing area if the original spot they picked wasn’t great, which was actually the case for us. More on this later.
Brian was totally geeking out over the drones and spent several minutes talking to one of the drone pilots. I can never remember if they’re called pilots or engineers. Brian had so many questions and the guy very patiently answered them all.
Here are a couple of pics from the Ice Dinosaurs Exhibit inside Exploration Place. They also had a light show in the dome, which was fun, but of course not quite as cool as the main event.
On the way back to our seats, we perused the abundance of food trucks. We had dinner prior so we weren’t hungry but I got to indulge with some halo-halo from Kusina Ni Cheska for dessert. It was delicious! I don’t get to eat halo-halo often so it’s always a treat.
The Nailbiters, a cover band consisting of high school kids from Derby, performed as people were assembling. It was really impressive watching young kinds play music from before they were even born so brilliantly. They were fantastic.
During the test flight, we realized we did not have the best seats for viewing. I decided I wanted better seats so I went on the hunt, while Brian remained in our original seats. I told him I would text him to come over if I found better seats for us. I wasn’t really paying attention because I never have beef with anyone but, it turns out, the new seats I found were directly in front of the guy that Brian almost got in a fight with in the parking lot. LOL. We didn’t say anything and he didn’t say anything. It was good that everyone had moved on and we all enjoyed the show.
An awesome string quartet performed the accompanying music that was perfectly timed to the magnificent drone formations. It was really well done and we highly recommend this event. Definitely a must-see when they return next year.
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