Tuesday was the museum we’d all been waiting for. Loran visited this one quite a bit as a child and was excited to share it with the ladies in his life. It was a grey, rainy day – perfect for visiting the city and the Museum of Science and Industry – the largest museum in Western Hemisphere! Amazing. While we hadn’t been expecting the number of field trips that would be there, we did see quite a bit of the museum. We had to tear (sarcasm) Chelsey out of the genetics exhibit, but we did like seeing the chicks hatching and the genetically engineered mice. The Christmas Around the World exhibits and displays throughout were beautiful. The girls loved the circus exhibit, pushing the buttons in the 80s era electricity exhibit, Ella loved the U-505 submarine – and the idea that it would go underwater. She was especially enthused to use the restroom located in the U-boat exhibit – the submarine potty, as she called it. And of course, they really went nuts in the children’s area. Extra bonus, Loran found free street parking almost across the street from the museum! Only awkward moment – when attempting to pay for our lunch, one of the girls (I’m forgetting which one from the stress of the immediate situation) spilled the container of grapes and cheese I’d selected for them. Grapes were rolling everywhere and while the staff was very friendly and efficient about clean up, they did very graciously point out that my child was eating grapes off the floor. Yes, much like a pigeon in Central Park, I may have well have tossed some popcorn on the sidewalk. My girl attacked those floor grapes with vengeance. Other than some squirming in the backpack by Lillian and the spilled grapes, the girls did a great job at the big museum.
Loran in front of a model of his home-away-from-home – Seattle.
Operator Lillian.
Working on assembling the human body, the the organs wouldn’t stay in.
Lillian’s job was to bring balls to Ella who would insert them in the vacuum tube where they were whisked to the other side of the exhibit, eventually making their way back towards Lillian.
Extra extra bonus – we bought a museum membership for our family a month back that includes both children’s and science museums from one of those daily deal sites. We (including Chelsey) got into every museum for free. Membership easily paid for.
The following morning, we departed our hotel on the corporate campus of Mc Donald’s bound for Chelsey’s house. We’d been smart and brought our car topper since we knew we’d have more to bring home. Only problem, we weren’t equipped correctly on our luggage rack to hold the bag. So…we managed to cram it all in, plus Chelsey and her bag without sacrificing too much of our wiggle room, and probably helped our gas mileage and we were homeward bound. We made a few stops and Chelsey endured the viewing of Toy Story 1 – five times. I did have other movies, but neither girl complained to watched their beloved Woody and Buzz over and over. We arrived at my parent’s house to a warm meal of chili and other goodies. And Chelsey and I ventured out to Cub Foods, the night before Thanksgiving, to buy the last minute perishables I’d promised to bring (dumb on my part) to Thanksgiving. Surprising, the grocery store was on the ball at 8 pm and had every lane open. The trip was not the bloodbath I’d expected, but rather jovial and easy. The girls were happy to be in their own beds that night, our cats were happy to see us again and we awoke rested and ready to eat – Thanksgiving style!
As with previous years, the annual “Oh You Turkey Coloring Contest” sponsored by the Star Tribune gauntlet was thrown down between Ella and Chelsey. While the trash talk was less, the coloring was fierce. For a few minutes, then the girls chased one another around in circles until they tired, gorged themselves in cranberries and played festively the rest of the day.
This year, we are quite thankful for our wonderful family, our caring friends, our healthy, happy and smart girls and all of the wonders afforded us in our great nation, and those who serve faithfully to keep us safe and free.
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