This week Travis took the week off and we planned some educational field trips. Our original plan was to heat to Charleston, S.C. to Patriots Point and to the beach. When hurricanes Ike hit Texas and gas rose to near $4 - $5 a gallon we decided to stay closer to home. We took a shorter drive to Coulmbia Childrens Museum and the Columbia Zoo. As we planned our trip and shared the news with Luke he excitedly said, "Mommy the museum will be great for our human body study!" It was so relaxing just to get away and be together as a family and watch Luke LOVE TO LEARN!!
The museum was much better than we expected! We spent 3 hours there! There was so much to see and do, so many opportunities for hands on learning! We started the exploration at the larger than life "Ed~Venture". Where we climbed around inside the body of a boy complete with sound effects of bodily functions and a journey through the major body systems. It made our lessons from last week come to life in a way we will never forget. From there we went to explore bones, joints, and the functions of the skeletal system. There was a mock dentist office where Luke got to play the role of the dental hygienist. There was also a huge "operation" game where we pretended to be surgeons and remove the bones and organs of the patient. We got to test our heart rates, blood pressures, and oxygen saturation's. Next we were off to the Dinner. It was a kichen full of foods, pots, pans, and even a cash register where Luke pretended to swipe our credit card for payment. There was a video of the digestive system. Here we reviewed the food groups and classified the different foods. From here we went to the work place stations. We began in the Piggy Supermarket where there were shelves full of groceries, miniature shopping carts and even cash registers! It was the cutest thing! Luke loved picking out his own groceries complete with his own birthday cake and donuts. Next we were off to the farm complete with farm sounds, a tractor, a cow to milk, as well as peaches to pick from the trees. There was also a "farm house" with big white rockers on the porch. Then it was time for the Dalmatian Firs station where Luke donned his fireman coat and boots and prepared to rescue people and put out fires. There was a real fire truck where he and Travis pretended to drive and save me from a fire. Near the end of this exhibit there was a fireman pole that Luke slid down repeatedly. The third stop was an automotive area with a bright red VW Bug for the children to play and put gas in. In this are there was also an SUV replica on the wall with tires that we could change. So Luke got his first lesson on how to change a tire. Lastly in this section we moved on to the construction area. Here Luke got to build a LEGO building as tall as him, so pluming, and even build a "brick" wall. There was also large walls with huge nuts and bolts where we built a cube big enough for Luke to fit in. The next adventure in the museum took us all the way to Timbuktu! There too were many interactive exhibits that took us net fishing, camel riding, living in a thatched roof house and even playing percussion with an African band. This area was complete with an explores vest and camel to climb on back of. There was even a room where we could write our names in the Arabic language.
Next was the news station and weather center where we pretended to do the news. There was a music room with many interactive things to do in the world of sound. The last adventure was the water and bubble exhibit. There were tons of ways to make bubbles of all sizes. There was also a mock river system complete with a dam and fountain system all workable by the children.
There was fun and learning for kids of all ages and we will go back again!
We stayed the evening at the Hyat Place and hung out and played together as a family. The next morning we were off to the Columbia's River Banks Zoo, a place that we frequent often. It is one of our favorite day trips. All of the animals were extremely active that day. It was a joy to watch God's wonderful creation!
We were all exhausted and ready to return home after our action packed two days. We were all so thankful for our time together as a family! We feel so blessed to have this opportunity to be together. Thank you Lord.
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