Museum Day

Monday was Park Day here in Elastic Waistland.

Monday night into Tuesday A had her first ever overnight playdate with a friend. It went surprisingly well and we were all very proud of her accomplishment! Tuesday morning R had her 8-year check-up and was deemed hale and hearty - aside from a pesky sinus infection that doesn't seem to want to go away and for which she is now on her second round of antibiotics. After the appointment we picked up A from her friend's house, ran a couple of errands and then came home and enjoyed another beautiful afternoon outside.

Yesterday, we decided to venture a bit farther afield and drive into Boston to visit the Children's Museum. Rick took the day off from work and we got on the road at about 9am. We planned to arrive in the city in time for lunch and then hit the museum in the afternoon. It turned out to be a great day and the girls had a lot of fun. The museum was pretty packed and so it was an exhausting day from the perspective of two parents trying to keep tabs on three kids - in particular the 2-year-old who thought of the museum as her own personal playground in which she could wander at will. At the end of the day Rick commented on how hard it is being outnumbered in that kind of situation.

Before our departure I had researched possible eateries. The museum is kind enough to list a few choices on their website and an overview map showing locations. Once we got the car parked at one of the recommended parking lots we were able to quickly find a restaurant that sounded like it would be fun and offer food that would be amenable to the younger set as well as the parents.




A view of Boston with the yellow and red striped tent of the Barking Crab restaurant at the bottom.

Rick and I thoroughly enjoyed our crab cakes (he got the sandwich with fries and I ordered the appetizer version and a salad). The girls each got a cheeseburger and fries and although they thought the fries were awesome (they were!), they were less than impressed by the burgers - I think because they had that charcoal/blackened flavor to them. Sitting outside under that big tent with a view of the harbor and the city in the background was a great way to start the day in the city! And it was great that the museum was located just a short walk down the street along a pedestrian walkway.

Inside the museum the girls had fun doing all sorts of activities: rock-wall climbing, construction play zone, guided tour of a real Japanese house, playing with bubbles, water play with rubber duckies, slides, dancing on a lighted dance floor, and much more. At the end of the day A reported liking the dance floor and the water play, R liked "everything", and E just repeated whatever her big sisters said.

Here are a few choice photos of the day:

Construction zone

Rock Wall and Dance Floor (both located in the "kid power" area that encourages an active lifestyle and healthy eating)







Water Play



All told we spent about 3 hours in the museum and at that point E was feeling a bit of sleep-deprivation psychosis. She had not napped the previous day and this was a long day of fun and exploration. She managed to make it back to the car without falling asleep but as soon as she was comfy in her car seat being lulled by the sounds of the engine she settled in for a bit of a much needed and well-deserved nap. The girls watched a movie to pass the time (they had watched a Barbie movie on the way out - A's choice - and "A Bug's Life" on the way home - R's choice) and we arrived home in time to pick-up a pizza to eat at home for dinner.

It was a great way to spend the vacation "hump day" - hard to believe that it's already Thursday. The week is just flying by!

This morning we had a play date with one of A's preschool buddies who has a sister who is the same age as E (and whose name is very similar - one letter difference!). The girls - all five of them - played beautifully together and the mom and I chatted about this and that and talked some shop (we are both Speech-Language Pathologists). Right now, E is napping and the girls are keeping themselves entertained. Not sure what's on the docket for tomorrow but it is supposed to be another beautiful 75 degree day so I know we can figure out something to keep us busy!