somewhere over the rainbow | Grand America Movie Night

The Grand America has been hosting "staycations" for local guests. These weekends include a Friday night movie by the pool and an ice cream bar on Saturday. Turndown service includes milk and cookies and a welcome surprise from JouJou, the hotel's toy store. Last night, the movie night featured The Wizard of Oz. My mom and I got to create and teach a kid's craft to get all the kiddos excited for the movie.

For they boys, we designed a flying monkey toy that they got to assemble.

And for the girls, we made wands and let them decorate Glinda crowns. Isn't that glitter paper awesome?

We designed this backdrop so that parents could take their kiddos' pictures with their final projects. 

The staff at the Grand is a-mazing. Every experience with the hotel truly is Grand. My mom and I are so excited to join them again next month for Monster's Inc. and E.T.

we went to town.

Tonight we made our way downtown for some holiday festivities.

We stopped at Blickenstaff's to get some last-minute gift ideas. I love that place. Hence why I have gone twice in 2 days. Who knew so much fun could be had with a magnifying glass?

The Willy Wonka and glittery swirly glasses were favorites.

Every time we go, the kiddos make sure to ride the EZYRollers.

Candy ornament window displays we passed on the way to the Trax station.

Rita Skeeter glasses and a $70 hat/scarf/handwarmer.

The Grand America has a holiday scavenger hunt with their window displays. We went last year and fell in love. Last year was frigid, so it was the perfect indoor activity. Basically you walk around and look for clues in the amazing window displays, make a pit-stop in the toy store, and end up in the bakery to get a free shortbread cookie.

Lights at Temple Square

1: Owen got cold while waiting for the Trax and crawled up Sam's sweatshirt.

2: Enjoying shortbread cookies.

3: The candy piano at the toy store.