And even my skin hurts. Wow.
Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry was a exciting surprise to our four kids, as we headed them off to bed the night prior with only indication that spring break is ending and school starts back up soon; so, we've got to get our clothes picked out at night and go ahead into bed "on time" . . . to get back closer to "routine."
They did not know we were going to Chicago until we were 1/2-way (1 1/2 hours) into the drive, already passing nearby Clinton (One child cried out curiously to the rest "Hey, guys, we're past Lilah and Brooks'; we must be going to Nathan and Ethan's.") But then, we passed also Bloomington-Normal. Hunter inspected the cargo space behind his seat and noted there was not any luggage stowed there, "We must not be going to Pap and Grandma's."
Despite the typical reminders (and sometimes tired admonitions) to "stay with us" or "watch where you're going," the day was full of visual excitement, hands-on displays, and lots of auditory components. Already having done the inaugural 3-day Chicago experience last summer, the kids seem to have remembered the lessons learned in general about things being busy and crowded and that they needed to be mindful of how to maneuver in large, peopled public spaces.
Chad and I were thoroughly impressed with the additional (extra $), timed-entry, coal mine exhibit, despite Bay's terror of anything potentially dark or noisy or not under her control; everyone enjoyed their sodium and sugar-rich, overpriced lunch; the submarine encounter was marvelous; the "You" exhibit of human body parts on display was very interesting, but I was disappointed, I think with myself, that I found it less beautiful than I anticipated; and then a ton of smaller, quicker areas and displays. OH, and the space display included two "real" NASA vehicles used in missions (Apollo, and one from the series prior). We ended in the gift shop, of course, where the kids did a good job of finding small, appropriate treasures -- Bay -- a plastic case of gem/mineral samples; Anna -- a bag of colorful, polished rocks and NASA freeze-dried ice cream; Jameson -- a foam flyer to construct; and Hunter -- a geode and Lego set.
The Mythbusters exhibit and flight simulator (both extra tickets) also looked pretty darn cool, but we set ourselves on a budget. Maybe next time ; )
Thinking the Art Institute, and/or North Michigan (cool shops and wonderful eats), and/or Chinatown will be on the docket for the next northward excursion . . .
For now, this introvert needs to recover from a museum designed for children and for giving sensory stimulation. Over. Stimulated. (Hence the "my skin hurt" comment). Time for nestling under thick covers with book 4 of Maya Angelou's autobiographical series. And quiet.
I do love taking the kids to Chicago -- as a piece of their learning that their functional daily world is but a tiny corner in a larger world.
Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry was a exciting surprise to our four kids, as we headed them off to bed the night prior with only indication that spring break is ending and school starts back up soon; so, we've got to get our clothes picked out at night and go ahead into bed "on time" . . . to get back closer to "routine."
They did not know we were going to Chicago until we were 1/2-way (1 1/2 hours) into the drive, already passing nearby Clinton (One child cried out curiously to the rest "Hey, guys, we're past Lilah and Brooks'; we must be going to Nathan and Ethan's.") But then, we passed also Bloomington-Normal. Hunter inspected the cargo space behind his seat and noted there was not any luggage stowed there, "We must not be going to Pap and Grandma's."
Despite the typical reminders (and sometimes tired admonitions) to "stay with us" or "watch where you're going," the day was full of visual excitement, hands-on displays, and lots of auditory components. Already having done the inaugural 3-day Chicago experience last summer, the kids seem to have remembered the lessons learned in general about things being busy and crowded and that they needed to be mindful of how to maneuver in large, peopled public spaces.
Chad and I were thoroughly impressed with the additional (extra $), timed-entry, coal mine exhibit, despite Bay's terror of anything potentially dark or noisy or not under her control; everyone enjoyed their sodium and sugar-rich, overpriced lunch; the submarine encounter was marvelous; the "You" exhibit of human body parts on display was very interesting, but I was disappointed, I think with myself, that I found it less beautiful than I anticipated; and then a ton of smaller, quicker areas and displays. OH, and the space display included two "real" NASA vehicles used in missions (Apollo, and one from the series prior). We ended in the gift shop, of course, where the kids did a good job of finding small, appropriate treasures -- Bay -- a plastic case of gem/mineral samples; Anna -- a bag of colorful, polished rocks and NASA freeze-dried ice cream; Jameson -- a foam flyer to construct; and Hunter -- a geode and Lego set.
The Mythbusters exhibit and flight simulator (both extra tickets) also looked pretty darn cool, but we set ourselves on a budget. Maybe next time ; )
Thinking the Art Institute, and/or North Michigan (cool shops and wonderful eats), and/or Chinatown will be on the docket for the next northward excursion . . .
For now, this introvert needs to recover from a museum designed for children and for giving sensory stimulation. Over. Stimulated. (Hence the "my skin hurt" comment). Time for nestling under thick covers with book 4 of Maya Angelou's autobiographical series. And quiet.
I do love taking the kids to Chicago -- as a piece of their learning that their functional daily world is but a tiny corner in a larger world.
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