1st Visit to the Natural History Museum

Since I have two kids that are really gung-ho about bugs, frogs, snakes and lizards, we couldn't miss Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day at the Natural History Museum. After 5 years I was looking forward to trekking back to Exposition Park and USC's neighborhood. On our way, we bought a bike for Laura that was advertised on craigslist, and Dave picked up the board game Life at a garage sale (I just hope we can minimize the extra stuff we collect and want to bring home!).

When we got in the museum, first we reserved a spot in the critter club program, which is for ages 3-5 so Benjamin can still participate. Next was the butterfly pavillion which my kids were eager to see. They missed going to see the Butterfly Show at Krohn in Cincinnati the past couple of years. After the butterflies, we went back inside and ended up in the Hall of Gems for a bit, partly because it is near the bathrooms. Laura found a computer with a touch screen that she could scream at when it didn't do what she wanted. We made a point of seeing the famous red diamond, but just seeing the magnitude of the gem collection was awe-inspiring.

Then we headed to the Discovery Center--the hands-on area for kids because Joshua had so much fun playing in it 5 years ago and because the insect zoo sounded pretty exciting. In honor of Reptile and Amphibian Appreciation Day, lots of live animals--lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, and turtles--were on display in the hallways leading to the Discovery Center. Eventually we found the insect zoo--I think the kids liked the giant millipede, but Laura was disappointed that we couldn't find any ladybugs. The Discovery Center also had a dinosaur dig and an actual dinosaur skeleton that wasn't quite complete--until Joshua came along to help.

Finally it was our turn to participate in the Critter Club. Benjamin and Laura enjoyed the story, the discussion of tadpoles turning into frogs and the live animal presentations, which even included a baby alligator! Joshua occupied himself with a selection of turtle and spider puppets. Then they each decorated a burrow for the animals to live. Then we decided that we had had enough of the museum (we will have to come back to see the dinosaur puppet show!) for the day. Though we had fun, I was disppointed that all the toys, games, and puzzles that the Discovery Center had 5 years ago were gone.

After a short rest at home, we rushed to the Glendale Library to catch some of the Annie Banannie's Balloon Storytelling Show. The kids enjoyed it, and Joshua even got to be a hero, with some kind of balloon weapon that saved the world from the evil jellybean monster (or something like that). During most of the show, Laura was yelling loudly "I want a kitty-cat", since Annie was making amazing balloon props for the stories she was telling. Laura was eager to run up on stage to get a balloon animal of her own, until Dave took her into the children's section.

When we got home, Benjamin and Laura were eager to try out their new bikes--we found a back street with minimal traffic where they could ride. We even got Joshua to join us. I just need to get at least one more helmet. For dinner, I persuaded Dave to try Sizzler Steak House which I remember going to fairly often as a kid. The dinner was somewhat enjoyable--Benjamin loved the dino-shaped chicken nuggets and Joshua ate the pizza. Laura wanted a sample of everything in front of her, and didn't want to sit in the high chair anymore. Of course her voice has only two volume levels: very loud (for her first request) and extra, extra loud (for when we didn't do exactly what her highness wanted). Ice cream was included, so the dinner was worthwhile from the kids' point of view.