Children's Museum

Sarah had the awesome idea to go to the Children's Museum today. It was nice to have something fun to do as a group on one of the coldest days of the year. The kids absolutely loved it. They are a little young for a lot of the stuff that's there, but one of Sarah's friends who has a three year old came, and it was neat to see what she was into. We spent a lot of time upstairs in the "nursery" - which had a sand table, a giant Lite Brite, a ramp, train table and fish tank, among other things. We did not venture into the water table room, because even a place as fun as the Children's Museum cannot stave off naptime. I contemplated buying a membership...for $99 you get unlimited admission for a year and $3 parking.

After the museum, we had the all-too-rare opportunity to hang out at home. Mark and Laurel made egg parathas while I ran out to stock up for the Steeler game tomorrow. One thing we noticed about Laurel this weekend is that her language is developing like crazy. (Note to self...no more cursing!) Today she said "dough", "no", "uh oh", "up", and "nanana" for banana. She is awesome at taking trash and putting it in the garbage can when we tell her to. She is also vastly more cooperative when I'm getting her dressed if I give her directions and let her help. (If you've ever been at my house during bath time you know it involves a lot of chasing a naked toddler around while she alternately howls and hides behind the furniture.)

The other thing she is really into is writing with a pen. I think this has something to do with all the worksheets they do at daycare. Since she's moved up to the toddler room, they have art and activities together with some of the preschool kids. This week they worked on the numbers 3 and 4 and the letter I. She brings home a worksheet that is scribbled all over with crayon pretty much every day. I am reluctant to give her crayons, because she doesn't seem to get the difference between writing on paper vs. everything else. However, she hasn't yet figured out how to take the cap off a pen, so now it's just a lot of pretend writing at home, unless I'm there with her. I know, I know, it's only a matter of time.

Anyway, enjoy the photos of Laurel and her friends at the museum.