Children's Museum

One Sunday afternoon, Jack decided to get some sun while reading the Sunday paper. First he started with the comics.

Then he came to something that REALLY caught his attention - an ad for the Children's Museum at the Gateway. They were having a buy one get one free offer - just our price.


When we arrived, the first thing they tried out were the musical instruments.


Here's Madeline concentrating very hard.

Next we came to a play house. It had everything you might find in a real house, including a mouse hole in the wall. There was a button to push that turned on a light inside and you could see the mouse's house complete with furniture made from thread spools, etc. However, the mouse family must have been at the people museum as they were no where to be found.

There was a really cool water play station.

We spent quite a bit of time here since water is the ultimate kid magnet.

They had lots of dress ups. Jack and Madeline tried out the cowboy outfits first.

Apparently these boots were NOT made for walkin'


Jack gives up on the boots and decides to throw some hay for the horse.

Meanwhile, Madeline decides that she is going to ride that pony.

Next we go over to the supermarket. It is laid out just like a real supermarket, complete with shelves stocked with cereal and canned goods, a produce section, bakery, deli and meat counter.

Madeline immediately takes charge and becomes the checker. My job is to be the shopper. She goes into full character mode. Asking me how I am doing today and if I found everything OK. I tell her that I have some coupons and she informs me that her store doesn't take coupons. I tell her I don't have the money to pay for everything unless I use my coupons and she sweetly informs me that I will have to put some things back. REALLY?! Wow, this pretending is too much like real life.

Meanwhile Jack is busy delivering the mail.

Next we went up to the roof where they have a real LifeFlight helicopter. It is pretty cool. You can sit inside as a passenger, go up front and be the pilot or there is a control tower that you can use to guide the chopper. Really cool.

After that it was lunch time so we met Mark at McDonald's that was just across the way from the museum. McDonald's is probably my LAST choice for lunch, but luckily it was at the food court and we were able to get something else to eat.

After lunch we went back to the museum and Jack decided to be a fireman for a while.

Shortly after that they spotted a car at the gas station where you could pump your own gas! Get right out of town! This is the greatest thing ever!

Jack immediately assumed the position of authority and started pumping the gas while telling his sister that HE was driving and she should stay on her side of the car.

Well, that worked well didn't it?

Next Madeline thinks to herself "how hard can this be?" and decides to pump her own gas.

Shortly after this I decided that I was done, done and done with the museum. We had spent a total of 4 hours in the museum - not including lunch. All in all it was a really fun day and they have been begging to go back ever since.