Exploring LA :: Kidspace Childrens Museum

A couple weekends ago, Ellie and I checked out the Kidspace Childrens Museum located near the Rose Bowl. I had read lots of great things about the museum and so we were both pretty excited to go. We got there just as they opened the doors, which was a good thing...because it did get crowded, but we had a chance to check everything out without navigating crowds.

So the museum was opened a few decades ago by people associated with CalTech. So we shouldn't have been surprised to find a Physics Forest. There were lots of exciting thigns to do, but I found myself trying to explain physics concepts like conservation of momentum and levers to Ellie, when all she wanted to do was to make the balls bounce really high and make the bells ring.

 

 

The museum had several things which were typical of childrens museums, which Ellie really enjoyed. Bikes, climbing, digging, arts and crafts...She really enjoyed them. It was fun to watch her run around, be a kid, and try new things.



One of Ellie's favorite parts of the museum was a pretend bug cafe. It was where you could learn about all different insects and what they like to eat. Kinda gross, but really interesting.  They had really cool activity where an animated bug would come up on a TV screen and say that they were really hungry and ask for food. The kids task was to look at all the "prepared" bug food, find the appropriate food, and "feed" it to the bug. You would place the plate under the TV and there were sensors to determine if you were right or not. You had to use a "menu" which had information and clues as to which one to pick for the bug on the TV screen. Whether it was a dung bettle, mesquito, ladybug, etc. Ellie really enjoyed this activity and would be bummed when the bug didn't like the plate of food she had put there. But sometimes she got it right and was really happy. Eventually I had to pry her away so other kids could have a turn.

 One of the more interesting activities for the two of us was relateded to earthquakes. In one activity you picked items to make up an earthquake kit. Ellie wanted to know all about why you needed specific items. So it was interesting explaining earthquakes to her.

It was a little easier once we noticed the shake table. They had a model house set up on a shake table. The lesson was to shake the table when the house isn't attached to the foundation and see what happens. Then you are supposed to attach it to the foundation and see what happens. Then you install X-bracing at the "foundation" and see what happens. Ellie explained that she "fixed the house" and then asked me, "Mommy, when you fix buildings, do you do this so they don't move and shake in the earthquakes?". She got it! I was proud of her.

But according to Ellie the best part of the museum was the arroyo. There is a small arroyo (arroyo means creek, its what they call the creeks around here in the canyons and foothills) which was made to show water flow and stuff. However, for Ellie...it was time for water play! She had fun stepping on stones to cross the water, playing at the edges, and did her best not to get wet while we were there.

 

In fact, she had SO much fun that we came home (took a nap), put on our bathing suit and water shoes and went back to fully enjoy the arroyo. She had a blast, until the big kids came and started making big splashes and running pretty fast. So it was time to go. But her fingers were wrinkled and it was time to go anyway. She really had a good time though.

It definitely was fun. However, I think when she is a little older she will get more out of it (includng the physics forest). It was a great combination of indoor and outdoor activities as well as physical and mental challenges for her. I do think she learned a couple new things, but was too busy having fun to notice...which is the ultimate goal right? We will definitely be going back!

Compare and Contrast

One year ago...



Today...


Those may be the same sunglasses, but my how things have changed in one year for Ellie. I mean, last year on this day we were starting potty training bootcamp! Not only is she taller and her hair is longer, but she has become her own person. This past year she has seen quite a few changes...and we haven't even moved into the new house and the "big truck" with all our stuff hasn't arrived from Boston yet!

I just found that photo and thought it was cute as she was playing with the same sunglasses this morning. Had to share.

Ellie Went to Zoo Camp!

All of last week, Ellie spent up in Santa Barbara with my parents. During the day she went to zoo camp at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Nick and I stayed down in Pasadena working long hours, dealing with home inspections, and relaxing. We got to go out to dinner at a real, grown-up restaurant, after 5:00pm and a movie.

I didn't have to make lunches. But my mom did...

Each day my parents danced the morning dance of getting a very tired, non-morning person Ellie dressed, fed, sunscreened, and with shoes on. They refreshed their skills in the fragile art of negotiation with a 3 year old. Although, I think she was spoiled with french toast, eggs, grits and bacon for breakfast rather than a squishy yogurt or cheerios when she is at home!

According to Ellie, she really enjoyed her time at zoo camp. She wouldn't tell us much when we talked to her at night. But since being back in Pasadena she has talked a little bit more. She really liked feeding the giraffe (the tongue was really long and purple and it licked her arm) and she LOVED riding the train at the zoo. That's kinda all she talks about...the train. She now has a new fascination with lions.

Ellie was also excited about her special zoo camp shirt once she got home. I ordered two shirts for her. One was WAY to big, but the other one fit! Her group was the eagles and was made up of 3 and 4 year olds. I was surprised that they took 3 year olds, but as long as they were potty trained...they were in! Awesome!!

My parents had to deal with a typical Ellie at drop off a couple days. However, she seemed to settle in and be comfortable. She even made a special friend...but she lives up in Santa Barbara.

Oh! She was fine!! She did act in her typical way of sitting towards the back and watching everything and everyone before deciding exactly what she wants to do and who she wants to sit near. She definitely takes her time to observe prior to engaging with group activities or in a new environment.

Can you find her?? Look all the way to the right...there she is!

But everyday...at the end of the day, my parents found her engaged with teachers and activites, in the middle of the action.

She had a full day, everyday. They learned about animals (obviously!) focusing on animal opposites, loud vs quiet, etc. There was always some art project and some science. She had multiple animan encounters including feeding the giraffe, as well as feeding goats and pigs. She talked about seeing flamingos, frogs, and giraffes. They did get to go on the playground, which she really enjoyed. And of course, the train (which is pretty cool and gives you a backstage view of the zoo). She spend the entire day outside.

 

And on the way home...well, its a good thing its not just a 3 minute car ride back to my parents house...

 

Ellie really had fun. She has been telling her teachers and friends at her school about it. If my parents are willing to get up early, rush around to feed and dress her, chauffeur her around, and deal with bedtime...she wants to do zoo camp again. Maybe next year. I think Grandma Pam and Grandpa Mike need a rest for a little bit.

(photo credit - all photos were taken by my parents and e-mailed to us).

Happy Birthday Great-Grandma Van

Today is great-grandma Van's birthday. To celebrate Ellie and Grandma Pam made a cake and then decorated it. Then we went to lunch and cake!




Ellie put all the candles on the cake...not quite the 89 necessary to represent Great-grandma Vans age, but more than enough.










Ellie led the chorus in singing happy birthday...of course. Before she blew out the candles.









After cutting the cake, it was time to eat!












And of course, birthday hugs an kisses!!







Happy Birthday Great-Grandma Van!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

...take me out with the crowd!

This past Sunday we took a family trip down the road to Dodger Stadium to see the boys in blue take on the.. other.. boys in blue -- my Chicago Cubs.

 (I'll get this out of the way ahead of time and just let you know that, yes, I attended all three Cubs-Dodgers games last weekend, and the Cubs did, in fact, lose all three. Such is the life of a Cubs fan.)

Ellie and I had been talking about the game all week.. and we'd gotten pretty excited for it.  Me because it'd be the first time we'd get to take Ellie to a baseball game that she'd remember. (She did make it to a game when we lived in Boston.. but she was quite young.) Ellie kept telling us how "the baseball game is like a movie theater with big chairs and lots of people."  She remembers the *one* time we took her to a movie to watch "Beauty and the Beast 3D."  I suppose it wasn't too far off, though.

We had some very nice seats on the upper deck behind home plate.. but it was very hot that day so we moved around Dodger Stadium quite a bit.. to sit in shady seats where they were available. We also took a few walks through the concourses to keep cool.

 Ellie was very interested in what I was writing down on the scorecard.  I tried explaining how to score a game to her, but she was more keen on practicing her "E's," "H's," and "L's."

She was also very keen on her first Dodger Dog.

She almost finished the whole thing, actually.  Just a couple bites were left over.

 Ellie learned sportsmanship at this game. "I can say 'Go Cubbies!," but if you want to say 'Go Dodgers!' that's okay, too. If you want to." I think she's right. I'm a Cubs fan. Ann pretends to be a Dodgers fan.. so it's more or less fair.  I also don't mind the Dodgers at all and hope they do well.. on days when they *don't* play the Cubs, anyway.

Ann and Ellie were happy to share two frozen lemonades during the game.

The game itself was an exciting one -- a back-and-forth affair featuring several lead changes and two bullpens who really didn't want to nail down the game for their respective club. Unfortunately (for me), the Cubs wound up losing 7-6.  But the best part of the day, for me, was when we got to take Ellie out onto the field. It was "Kids Run the Bases Day" at Dodger Stadium.. and we weren't going to miss this chance despite the long line we had to stand in.

It was like a conveyor belt of kids down there.  Adults weren't allowed to come except in the most special of circumstances.  Ellie had been asking for the better part of the game, "Can I go run on the field now? I want to run on the bases." And when she got the chance.. she was not disappointed.  You can see her rounding 1st base down there if you squint. She was really chugging.. and did a great job staying in the base paths.

Here's Ellie after touching home plate.

It was a great day for baseball.. and I hope we can do it again soon.