The Children's Museum

There are a lot of things moms do for their kids that they wouldn't choose to do. Changing diapers, staying up all night with someone who is sick, folding endless piles of laundry, watching Elmo...the list could go on. We do these things happily because we love our kids. This is how I've come to feel about The Children's Museum. It is a fun place. It has great exhibits and a lot to do. But it is always packed full of kids that all want to do the same thing at the same time. All the excitement of the place can unfortunately bring out the survivalist side of kids (mine included). The side of a kid that wants to see it, touch it, and do it first and isn't going to let another kid get close. I don't think there has been a visit to the museum where Miles and Evan haven't gotten upset because they didn't get to "drive" the helicopter. They'll stand in line waiting for their turn and just when a seat is vacated a faster and less-parent-supervised child will jump in. This is when the parents say, "OK, let's go to a different exhibit. How about the balls?" Then you go play with the balls where your kid gets mad that another kid is taking balls out of his basket and he can't have a turn making his ball go up the vacuum tube. So you go to play in the water, and you try to hunt down some ping pong balls to send down the slides. You finally see several balls at a drain and just as you get there a kid scoops up every ball and runs off with them. OK, let's go to the pretend store, fill up our baskets, and check out. OK, we have to wait our turn for a cash register. OK, HURRY GRAB THAT REGISTER! HOLD ON TIGHT IF HE TRIES TO PUSH YOU OFF! Ummmm....I think mom needs a nap. But we will go back because not only does a kid have a chance to learn about physics, construction, money, science and art, but they also can learn how to share, how to interact with strangers, and how to not yell or push even though you might feel like it.

Not flying the helicopter, but still having fun:

Finally, their turn at the ball tube:

The reason I will keep going back, despite the crowds. Look how much fun they're having: