First Museum Visit

Yesterday we spent some family time at the Dallas Museum of Nature and Science.  Robby and I were just looking for something fun to do that was a) indoors and b) toddler appropriate but still interested us.  The reasons we chose to go here were because 1) it has a Children's Museum specifically for kids 6 months - 6 years only;  2) I was considering it as a place for Abigail's second birthday party and wanted to check it out; 3) Robby secretly LOVES museums (and I secretly love that about him!)!

The first exhibits we saw were Water and Dino Dig.

When we first got there, Abigail IMMEDIATELY wanted out of her stroller to explore.

Robby had fun playing with the exhibits.  It was cute because while I was chasing around Abigail, he was actually reading and learning about all of the stuff!

Abigail and I were playing a game about Polar Bears.  You had to match up the blocks to tell a story, then it would play a short movie.

3-D glasses for a 3-D exhibit

Abigail in the dino dig.  This was her first time to have sand on her toes and she HATED it!  She would not move from this spot at all, even with Robby trying to coax her.  When she was done "digging," she stood on her tippy toes to get out!

Digging for bones!

Not thrilled about the sand on her toes.

T-Rex

We spent a total of 3.5 hours at the museum, about 2 of which were in the children's museum. We let Abigail run and explore and go back and forth to the different sections as she pleased. Basically, we were trying to wear her out so we could see the rest of the museum with her in the stroller! As you can see from the pictures, there was plenty for her to do (and some sections we didn't photograph because they weren't all that interesting to her yet), and she revisted some favorites multiple times (fire truck, water table).

In the children's museum.  This part was called the "backyard" part, and as soon as she saw furniture her size, she squealed "Chair!  Chair!  Chair!" and climbed into it!

Of course she found the (anatomically correct) babies in the "home" section.  One boy and one girl.  She loves babies!

Exploring

Playing in the "Pond" section

Sliding down the back of the fire truck

Riding a horsey in the farm section

An ariel view of about 1/3 of the farm section.  Inside the barn there was a mechanical cow that you could "milk."  I tried it; it was weird.

Playing in the soft blocks section for babies 0-2 only.

Robby set up an obstacle course for her.  She did well!

Playing in the pit!  See that little lady bug on the back wall?  It had mirrors all over it.  When Abigail looked into it, she said, "Pretty!"  My daughter has no self esteem issues!

We had to get one of us!  xoxo

Back on the fire truck.  This time, with a hat!  Surprisingly, she loved wearing the hats!  I guess we're almost in that dress up stage.

Playing with tools.

Every construction worker needs a hat!  She was putting it on all by herself!

Back to the pond.  We revisited the water table 3 times I think!

The ducks were her favorite part.

A better picture of "the pond."  She could only reach the lowest level.

One last trip to the fire truck.

Checking out bugs with Daddy.  I think this was actually the turtle cage, though.  It was cute because when Robby bent down to look in there and talk about the turtles, Abigail had to squat, too!

Crawling through the ant hill.  It was a long tunnel!

Cooking up a storm!

"Mama!  Sit!"  she said.  So I sat and we played.

Whew!  Finally done with the children's museum and back to the regular exhibits.  We went through a body exhibit next, but it was really gross.  Mucus and phlegm and vomit exhibits that were animated!  Gross out.  We went through this part pretty quickly and on to the regular, random exhibits.

 

  Here's Robby making an earthquake.  I made a flood and did you know that flash floods are the number one cause of water related deaths?  I guess people are stupid when it comes to floods!

The next part of the museum was the Nature part.  There were lots of animal exhibits here, and it was actually fun because Abigail was making all the noises.  She'd say "meow" for bobcats and "woof" for coyotes, and we taught her a few new ones.  This was the first time that I've actually heard her ROAR and she was very good at it!  She also loved looking at all different types of birds.  She loves birds!

Abby called him "Pooh."  She thinks all bears are Pooh! 

Here's Robby trying out more exhibits!

And again!

I'd hate to get trapped in those jaws!  It opened almost 5 feet!  I forgot it's technical name, but the sign said "A big croc with a bigger attitude!"

A GIANT sea turtle!  It was huge!  It's really hard to believe that these types (and sizes) of creatures really swim around in the ocean.

An old sea creature. Looks vicious!

Abby playing peek-a-boo!

Where'd she go?

There she is!

Family photo (all 3 1/2 of us!)

Although we all had a good time, Robby and I agreed that the children's museum isn't the best place for a 2 year old's birthday party.  There was a lot of stuff there that was for older kids (3-6) that she didn't enjoy.  Also, although we would have a birthday room, the play areas took up the whole bottom floor of the museum and it was just too spread out for my liking for a 2nd birthday party.  I know I'll be 8.5 or 9 months pregnant come birthday party time, and I don't think I'll want to walk the whole floor to follow Abigail around and watch her enjoy her party!  Looks like Abbey's Playtown in Grand Prairie is still our front-runner!