Someone once looked at me with my three young kiddos and said, “This is the golden age.” I’m thinking that she must forget…a lot about having young kiddos. But she continued that this is the only time that they are with you…all the time. They WANT to be with you. There are times that I get to the point that I’m thinking that if I could just have 3 minutes apart, I could probably get the laundry all folded and my teeth brushed and that would be wonderful. But really I’m glad she offered me some perspective…I won’t always have days like I had today. When I ask them if they wanted to go on an adventure and they are enthusiastic and never stop to think that there is any way that it won’t be fun. And to be honest, I don’t either…it seems it always is.
Today we got in the car and headed to the town of Hanna that made Three Hills look like a metropolis, where I heard there is a “Doll Palace”. Who knew? So off we went and this is what we found…
It said tea room too but it was really a small town restaurant. It’s owned by the Links. She cooks and bakes and collects dolls. It was crowded in the small dining room the whole time we were there. Then through these saloon style doors in the back was the ‘doll’ part. They turned the lights on for us and we got to walk around and see…dolls. I don’t have a good adjective to describe it really.
but for little girls…what could be better? Over 4,000 dolls. They loved it. They were just hopping around, looking at them all. Sammi decided that this little ‘couple’ to her right were her favorite…
and Sela decided that this crawler was her favorite…
But there was so many it was hard to choose…
Robb always sings the commercial song for this doll to Ethan…
some of them were a little bit creepy…
But then Mr. Link came in and told us that these were all ‘the wife’s’ and she started collecting in 1982.
But alas, they are thinking of selling the collection and had recently got an appraisal…over $700,000. Their most valuable doll was the MJ still in the package, of course.
nice people, nice room of dolls. we were glad we came. and then we left Hanna with its statues of giant Canadian geese…
to statues of large dinosaurs in nearby Drumheller…
where we bypassed the dinosaur museum this time for the never yet seen…
which is pretty much what you would expect and where Sammi did this…
and where Ethan got to do this…
But then we got to walk around town, in the sunshine without absolutely freezing…and that was Sela’s favorite part of the day…
and I agreed with her.
three hills and some mountains 
Ok, Kristy. Where exactly do you live? Some of that is just plain strange. Statues of large things in little towns has never made a lot of sense to me. But, I am impressed that Samara let a snake around her neck. My girls were too terrified to touch a starfish–and they don’t move!
“surreal”. I like to say it’s surreal. I’ve had a few surreal experiences… oh, we definitely have to do something fun with you all when we get to come back and visit.
Meghan! what is this I hear about a triathlon? you go, girl!
Kristy, you are inspiring! What a fun day! Not gonna lie, my first thought of the doll room was that it was a little creepy, but I’m sure a little less when your actually there. How fun for the girls. Kirra really wants to go to the doll room now too, ummm ya, don’t know if Grass Valley has one of those. Guess we’ll wait till we visit. And last but not least, E boy is such a little munchkin. I want to squeeze him! Love your bloggin Kris, keep it up! XOXO
what a great post! it is good to be reminded that this seaaon won’t last forever!
Yes, these are the “golden years”…I would give anything to have mine closer these days, but that is because they are such amazing adults. But I do remember wondering if (not just when) I would get my teeth brushed some days! So, when you compile this into a book, can I get a signed copy…or can I help edit it, so I can get an advanced copy? I LOVE YOUR WRITING!!! I miss you being around…I will be sure to go into the Harris’s hall closet several times in search of a bathroom when I am at Saturday night’s Ambassadors social…in honor of Robb, of course! LOL Anne
Anne- you are the nicest. I miss being around…all of you. And as you search- know that you made me laugh.
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This was a great one for me to read. My Dad is the official “pulpit supply” here, which means he gets sent out to various churches who need to fill a pulpit on a Sunday morning. We have been going to Hanna for years. And someone always takes us for lunch to the Doll Palace one of the weeks we are there … except they don’t open the doll part on Sundays and so I never knew what it was like in there. These pictures were perfect for me. I don’t think any more that I need to go in there!