We joined our friend Aidan at the Academy of Natural Science Tuesday for some preschool-friendly exploration.
The Academy is quiet during the week. I'd almost forgotten just how quiet it is, since we visit only on the weekends, which tend toward the quiet side, too. It's almost too nice having an entire wing of the museum to ourselves, although when it's the fantastic children's museum, I'm not going to complain.
(Minigolf was crazy crowded with at least two YMCA summer camps, and my blood pressure must have doubled while we were in there. Curious baby + determined preschooler + not-so-determined preschooler = aaak!)
I love how visiting a familiar place with new people can make the ordinary experience new again. There was much admiring of the okapi and other favorite animals, climbing in the giant dinosaur footprint, and roaring at the ferocious tigers.
On our next visit, I'll be sure to give Thomas a little more time to explore around. He was so curious about the animal dioramas, but caught only glimpses of them as we walked from the dinosaurs to the exit, since he'd been asleep during the animal portion of our trip.
Thomas did get to see live animals while we were in the children's museum, the rabbit and turtles being particular favorites. He also had a chance to pet Oliver the rabbit, but fairly needed to climb in the rabbit hutch to do so. Following in the heels of his brother and sister, he speed-crawled to the hand sanitizer dispenser, because you gotta wash those hands. (Like these kids don't touch much worse during the day. I'm all for a hand sanitize after touching a reptile, but a rabbit?)
Since parking in center city can be pricey during the week, we took the train into the city and walked the few blocks to the museum. The last time we tried this, it was January and icy icy cold. This time it was sunny and beautiful and a really fun walk. We were early and able to explore some of the public art we encountered, including the Love sculpture and a giant Lego sculpture.
(When we arrived at the Love sculpture, Peter looked at it and said, "I remember we've been here before." I half expected Lucy to say, "I remember we ate chocolate cupcakes the last time we came. Can we have a chocolate cupcake now?)
I'm wearing Thomas on my back these days, which works well for him and for me, except that I've not quite figured out a good way to carry along the 50 pounds of other stuff we need (water, food, diapers, hats, wallets, and lest we forget bandaids).
On our way out of the Academy, we heard rumors of an earthquake. I was disappointed we'd not felt it, and the kids were plenty curious about this "ground shaking" business. Our walk back to the train station was a little eerie - the downtown's tall buildings had been evacuated, and the streets were full of people, most of whom were looking down on their phones.
The trains were delayed, so Peter had a biscotti, I had a coffee, Lucy had a nap, and Thomas got to crawl on the train station floor. Then the coffee kicked in, and I was ready for the return trip. First order of business: get that baby off the floor!
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