We started off the day with a little trip to Target to grab a few necessities: aka Frankenberry Crunch. No, that's not really the reason we went, but that was a delightful surprise for Daddy.
We finished up our shopping and headed downtown to the Hubcap Grill for "the best burgers" according to Daddy. He was right. The little hole in the wall delivered on a great burger, but it would have been even better with a nice cold beer...which I can't enjoy right now anyway.
After lunch, we scooted over to the Children's Museum. We haven't been since the remodel and all I can say is Oh. My. Gosh! That place was not just a blast for the kids, but for Daddy and I! We only had three hours to cover the place in its entirety, which we didn't manage. What we did manage was to discover some amazing new activities and score some serious fun with the kids.
We started off with a drive. I can't imagine Tay doing this yet, but imagine it would go something like this...
After hitting up the discovery and experimental section, we found our way outside. Mind you, we each had a map on us, but never referred to it once. We relied solely on exploration and were in wonder and amazement with every turn.
This little water park was probably the highlight for the kids. And us, too. There were boats to race (Thomas's favorite), water guns to squirt at the huge monstrosity below that carries water to the little troughs for boat racing and such, and workable dams where the kids could control the water flow from said monstrosity. The kids were soaked after just 15 minutes (note Thomas's wet shorts in all the pictures below), but it was totally worth it. We had to pull them away after almost an hour so we could see what else there was to offer.
Next to the water station was a little nature/eco center. Inside were baby chicks that the kids and I (me, especially) gushed over. I wanted to scoop them up so bad and bring them home or just rub their fuzzy sweet bodies all over my face (ew).
I don't know what this flower was growing on the trees, but it was too pretty not to photograph it.
Mr. Crow was just chillin' and let us snap a few pics.
We found a red-eared slider that looked like our beloved Squirt whom we released when Thomas was just a baby, because he was just too big to keep tanked anymore and we thought he would be happier in nature. He came to us the size of a silver dollar and left us after growing a little bigger than the one below. We went through three tanks with Squirt before deciding he needed a nice big pond where he could poop freely and we didn't have to clean it and where he could sun all the way out of the water without sinking his log.
Tay misses him still and we hope he is as happy as this one seems to be.
Back inside was a mini kids' world. They could shop, create art, work at the various "businesses" there, earn paychecks, and deposit/retrieve money from the ATMs & bank. Various business were HEB, Vet clinic, Bank, Bicycle shop, Cafe, Police & Forensic Lab, EMT, Weather/News Center, and an art school lovingly name, " Alexander Art Academy". It was such a cool place and the kids were besides themselves exploring all the little community had to offer. Tay's favorite, of course, was the idea of checking out groceries at HEB, paying with her own "money" and retrieving more from the ATM.
This little vet clinic was adorable! You could give shots, listen to heart beats, weigh the pets, feed them, and earn a paycheck for doing it all.
Of course!
Little man on a mission. He really does love the store.
As does the determined little lady shown here.
I sure hope he is only EVER in the front seat of one of these!
We had to drag the kids away from their little world to discover something new. Which was this thing. It was huge and amazing! The kids could climb in on different levels and go all over. This was a three story-obstacle course. The picture just does not show it's potential.
Tay's favorite. Rock climbing.
Scooters! This was super cute and pretty cool. Even Mommy & Daddy took their turns.
We ended off with a little digital dodge ball....which I wasn't aware that's what it was. I kept telling the kids to "Get it! Get it! Step on it!" until Daddy informed me they were supposed to be running from it.
SUCH a fun day! I can't wait to go back and find all the stuff we missed!
