We’ve been twice in the last week, which is surprising to me. But then again, it’s a large playground to them… It’s not like they are going to actually spoil the fun learning anything.

Part of the attraction of the Science museum for me was obviously trying to get the kids interested in Science. That actually wasn’t very difficult. William isn’t showing preferences.. It’s all good. Mary is 5, so therefore EVERYTHING must be answered. If we can get the scientific method involved there, we’ll be ahead of the game.

So, we went for the Winter wonderland exhibit… Which, frankly, was an artificial snow machine (soap suds). Joy. And a Planetarium movie on Ice Worlds.

Color me unimpressed.

MV and W, however, were thrilled. 2 hours later, as we were leaving that afternoon (New Years Eve), it was decided that we would come back.

That turned out to be Saturday. Quicker than anticipated.

At this point, Daddy is reeling from a Camera body that he’s been waiting months for…. and it doesn’t focus. At all. The motors don’t click, nada. Disappointing is not really the word. So we’re taking the old one (which, truth be told, is still a good body. It’s just not … ), because the only place I could get stock on this was from a shop out of New York that I’ve done business with before. So there wasn’t going to be any resolution to this problem this weekend.

I’ve decided to limit myself even more, using a single 50mm prime lens.

Good news, it’s cheap.

Better news, it’s fast, which helps since there isn’t any LIGHT in this place.

Best news, it’s sharp, light, and makes a camera package that I can weave around the center without worry.

The Center of the Adventure Science Museum is a multi-story tower filled with various activities. It’s actually one of my biggest gripes, because it simply hasn’t changed since we first went there several years ago. A refresh would not hurt it one bit.

The kids didn’t care, so long as they could climb to the top!

The other area that seems to be static in time is the Body Quest exhibit. For William, the slide out of the lower intestine, complete with bodily noises was the best ever…

Unless you count the Ambulance.

Mary, who apparently maintains that a flower in the hair is perfectly sanitary in an OR, was intent on surgery. With Ketchup as the main tool, obviously. Apply directly to the retina.

Scattered around the center are various activities, including the ever popular coin eating spiral of death! Every aquarium, museum, and shopping center was one of these, and we have to hit it each time. The Adventure Science center was no different.

Or was it?

Yes, they plugged the hole at the bottom, so you could repeat the coin rolls over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. With Sister’s help, William was quite enthusiastic to do exactly that.

The newest exhibits were relating to the Sudekum Planetarium. The Kids really enjoyed this. 2 liter air pressure Bottle rockets, planet displays, stars, and weightlessness displays were all fun.

If they would only let Mary do them.

She’s big enough! Look!

No, NOT at the feet! Maybe in the summer.

And to close it out…. Jack stayed at home. Doing this.

(taken with the new body, manually focused, but in the dark! 2 stops better than the best the old could do! The replacement should be here this week.)

Early Christmas gifts, rare collectable Cabbage patch dolls, remote controlled cars, and who knows what else… are nothing besides the allure of a brown paper bag with holes cut out.

(Originally the bag was a Christmas gift bag without holes… Until Supergirl fell backwards through the temporary ice chest.)

We got back from Destin to find an order form for the Community Fall Festival… 4 days later. It seems EVERYTHING is moving quicker than it used to. Aren’t these things supposed to be closer to Halloween?

The Organizers of the festival included a parade, complete with a fire truck from the local station to lead. That was a great hit.

Mary decided on (or was forced into) her old standby… The Pumpkin. Complete with integrated treat pouch, this crowd pleaser is filled with cuteness.

That treat pouch caused Jeff significant gray hairs. It seems that Mary had taken one of our fridge magnets and placed it in the pouch.

It was conveniently shaped as a wine bottle.

She spent the majority of the parade in the following pose:

Personally, I found it funny enough to take the picture. Jeff was less than amused with her doing it, and exclaiming to any one that would listen:

I’m just having a few sips of some PRETEND wine.

Followed by her twisting a pretend cap on, and putting it back in the pouch. Repeat every 10 feet.

My only complaint is the screw top. I mean, come on. There aren’t many bottles in our house that aren’t cork.

The Festival itself was pretty standard fare, Bouncies, games, and catered by Famous Dave’s BBQ. Oh, and the firetruck stayed.

Ignore pretty much everything else, the kids enjoyed this more than anything.

The remainder of the pictures, are at the gallery page below:

It’s the most Magical time of the year…..

And yes, that’s a shirt hanging behind her. Didn’t have the opportunity to site prep.

Mary in motion..

And William in motion, but not as fast!

We hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday!  God Bless America!