How do you make Mexican chili?

I've enjoyed Spring Break, but I won't lie. There are two days left until the kids go back to school and life returns to normal, and I am counting down the minutes. But one of our outings this week was a trip to Olvera Street. The kids had no idea what Olvera Street was, but when I told them we had to take a train to get there, they were all for it.
 I met some friends at the station and forked over my $20.00 for a round trip ticket to Union Station. And just FYI if you use Metro, don't even bother buying a ticket. They didn't even collect them. It's like BYU, all on an honor system or some crap so I felt like I threw $20 out the window.
The kids were free since kids 5 and under don't have to pay.  I had to drill Taylor about this little fib so mommy didn't have to throw another $20 out the window.
Me: You're 5.
Tay: NO! I'm 6 mom!
Me: Not today, and not while we're riding the train. You need to say you're 5.
Tay: But that's a lie!
Me: It's ok to lie...sometimes...when it saves you money....and...I'll buy you a treat if you lie.
Tay: Oh, ok.
And away we went!

Funny thing about Metro. They saw us coming with our 6 kids and pointed us away from the "Quiet Car." They actually have a car that is designated as a quiet car, and we weren't invited on it. Imagine that?!

The girls were so excited to be on a train that I vowed we'd find more reasons to ride it in the future. When we got to Union Station, I was so depressed I didn't have my camera. I'd been there before but had forgotten how gorgeous that building was. We crossed the street to Olvera and set out for shopping. My girls don't miss a beat. I told them there wasn't much to do but shop the booths, all of which sell the same crap. They were thrilled!

Corinne picked up a guitar and I knew there was no talking her out of it. She strummed it up and down that street like a little mariachi girl. Taylor wanted a stuffed dog as her treat for lying. Even though she has a million and I HATE adding to her collection.

A side note about the crap sold at Olvera Street. It's disgusting. Our little friend, Allison, bought a whistle that twirled around. And the thing had hair stuck on it. Not her hair. God knows whose hair it was, but they sold it anyway. Some of the things the kids picked up looked like the stuff you'd find at a garage sale. It was dirty, old and torn but still $12.95!
We ended up eating at a Mexican food place where they had jokes written on the children's menu. Taylor read out loud, "How do you make Mexican chili?...You take him to the North Pole!" Upon which every Mexican within ear shot (and since we were at Olvera Street, that was almost everyone) gave us a dirty look.
It was on the menu!! She's not a racist!!
So we inhaled our food and took off before the mob of angry Mexicans descended on my child.

Before the mob.

We visited the oldest house in LA, and the kids actually found it interesting. And then we listened to a little mariachi music. I'm not a huge fan of old houses or mariachi music, but when in Rome!

They ooed and awed over this bedroom. My little tourists.

And then we stumbled upon a health expo going on there. So we had the kids tested for HIV and hepatitis. Good news! They're clean!!

Here's the free HIV testing truck. We're up for anything if it's free!

Kids are never too young to learn more about hepatitis.

Before our ride home, I had Corinne earn back the money that I spent on junk we bought there.

"Smelly cat, smelly cat. What are they feeding you?"

Our ride home on the train was much, much louder than the ride there. I apologize to everyone in that car who had to listen to Corinne "playing" the guitar THE. WHOLE. WAY. HOME. Accompanied by this sound......

2013-04-04 14.14.15.mov from Nikki Pollard on Vimeo.
Play that clip at full volume and put it on repeat for about 45 minutes. Add Corinne's guitar as accompaniment, and that was the soundtrack for our ride home. It's funny, because none of us moms really noticed the noise. It wasn't until I got in the car to drive home that I thought, "Hmmm. I bet the other passengers are really happy we're off the train."

What I learned from this little outing is:
a. I should totally get a booth at Olvera Street and sell all of our old crap at full price
b. My kids can go ANYWHERE. We've been going on outings since they could walk, and they are a piece of cake to take out. I love having my two best girlfriends to hang with.
c. You aren't allowed to let your kids walk around on the train. We were reminded of this several times.
d. If there isn't a health expo going on at Olvera Street, it would be very hard to kill three hours just shopping.
More Spring Break Pics:

CA Science Center with Gramps, Aunt Sue and Uncle Mike

USA! USA! The shuttle was awesome.

Hanging with Tay waiting for Corinne at gymnastics. She's just so pretty.

It was actually hot enough for playing with the hose in bathing suits.

Dance like no one is watching.

Who has a Great Aunt like my girls?! They are so lucky.

Thanks for the cute outfit, Nana!