Monkies in a Chocolate Factory

I woke up this morning with absolutely NO plans for the day. Nothing planned at all. I was thinking house cleaning, but my kids were already bored with being at home. Then I was talking to my friend, Jennifer, and she mentioned that she was considering taking her kids to the chocolate factory in Glendale to check it out. I remembered a lot of people going on the tour when I attended the Chocolate Affair in Glendale and thought... hmm... maybe we'll crash (thank you Jennifer for coming up with such a great idea AND letting me crash!)

So, we went from having no ideas, to mom having a whole agenda. I don't know what it is about me, but I always take things a little further than necessary...

First, we went to Glendale! (side note, getting on and off Grand Avenue was very tricky. I told Brandon I get points for that!) The chocolate factory is a small, family owned, Arizona based, factory in the heart of Old Glendale. It was really kind of neat inside.

Today they were making white chocolate covered pretzels. The machine was really neat and the kids got to get up close and personal with it.

Melanie and Aidan held hands to keep from the temptation of touching. They both did a really good job!

Everyone got to sample one of the pretzels. They were good! Noelle gave it *her* approval!

After lunch and naps, I read the girls this book. I love this book, because, of course, I LOVE Curious George, and also, it fit right in with today's activity. Then we went to the store and got our supplies.... Chocolate! and Pretzels! That's right, we made our own chocolate (Melanie was so excited, she literally told everyone we crossed at the store. The store clerk (an older woman) thought I was crazy for letting them do something so messy. ha ha ha! If she had any clue... this was one of the LEAST messy activities we have done in a while). Here they are... making their own chocolates! (and they didn't need any help from me!) Of course, ours had to have some sprinkles on them! I think adding the sprinkles was the girls favorite part (besides, maybe, sampling... but hey, George sampled the chocolates too, right?) And every good candy maker knows, you have to have good packaging! I think it was a fun, educational day! Thanks again Ms. Jennifer, Ms. Chloe, Mr. Aidan, and Mr. Trae for letting us join you at the chocolate factory. We had a blast