Science, Science, Science.... Oh, yeah, and Science

Wednesday, I took the kids to the somewhat local (1.5 hours away) science museum. I was a little hesitant about braving the journey solo, but I did a quick cost-benefit analysis and decided to go ahead and proceed.

The kids were in great moods while getting ready in the morning, helping out and being extra-obedient. K helped make sandwiches for lunch and helped dress H. AJ didn't dilly-dally around getting ready, and we made it out of the house only a little past our target time.

Upon our arrival, we unbundled ourselves (the outdoor temperatures were subzero -- Fahrenheit), shoved everything in a locker, and commenced our day.



H had been surrounded by a bubble a split second before this photo was snapped




K making a huge bubble




K and the wave-maker







A very crooked picture of an old American clock they had mounted on the wall




All three kids spinning




H and K learning about gears and differentials




AJ examining the engine, and H unsure of what to do next.





H driving the big semi-truck -- with AJ's help





H was loving that steering wheel



AJ trying out the buttons



AJ and H converting the rear axle into a jungle gym



AJ wanted to sit on a tire



Then K wanted a turn




AJ holding himself up in the chair lift




K pulling herself up



K pulling AJ on this Chinese chariot.



K and H playing with the marble bench

A fun elevator



The water section



H walking over a bridge that teaches about keystones.



Sitting on the bridge. That's AJ in the background climbing on something he should not have been climbing on.



H discovered some mirrors



The boys looking at themselves



K and H looking at themselves and each other



These look like roller-racers



My silhouette as I took a picture in this room



H enjoying looking at the fish




AJ and H




Lights and music.  If the light is blocked from the spot, music plays.




More lights and music. I thought this was pretty cool, and the adults were having more fun that the kids at this exhibit.



The track for some pool balls. They go all around the ceiling of the second floor. This is where they start.



K watching the ball go down the track. You can see it near the ceiling, below the pipes.

 Right after this, I experienced one of the worst moments of my life. K was going down the stairs, and H decided to follow her. He lost his grip on the railing he was holding, and fell down the stairs. I was so close to catching him, but not close enough. Then, as I watched him, I was so horrified, I was frozen. And screaming. K caught him before he got all the way down, but he fell a long ways. I couldn't believe no one came to help me or see what I was screaming about except a girl who was, perhaps, seven or eight years old. With all the people around, I was more than a little disturbed about that. Then, I was sitting on the stairs with a screaming baby, and people were just walking by, some trying to get by me on the stairs. So they were basically ignoring me. Timo pointed out it isn't the Swedish way to anything in a situation like that, but I find that somewhat infuriating. Thankfully, H is fine. He has a couple of bumps and bruises, but that image is seared in my memory permanently.

After that experience, I needed a break. So, we took an ice cream break. I didn't eat any, but K and AJ did.

Ice cream break!

 

K finishing up her ice cream bar



AJ pushing the ball off of the air that was keeping it up. The air came from that hole near AJ's feet.



H and the elevated ball. That sun was pretty bright, poor little guy.



AJ and H on the giant chair

Overall, our experience was a good one. We didn't get past the second floor, which means we only saw half the exhibits. We will have to return to explore the third and fourth floors another day. Perhaps with another adult along.

Another Trip to Denmark

Last weekend, we visited Denmark to see Timo's grandmother and parents. It was a low-key trip, which was good, since all of us ended up getting sick. This did not stop the kids from visiting the pool, though, and we took advantage of the access to expose the kids to the water. They swam three times in the two full days we were there.

H hanging out in the pool.

AJ swimming around

The audience

K and H in the pool

K enjoying the pool

We also visited a local dairy where they offer soft-serve ice cream that would delight the epicurean in anyone. AJ chose banana sprinkles on a cone as large as his head. H refuses to eat ice cream, so he missed out on this mouthwatering treat. K missed out, too, since she chose a push-up instead of the soft-serve.

AJ enjoying his massive ice cream cone

It was a sunny day, so we took our ice cream outside to savor in a proper fashion. H warmed up to Timo's parents enough for them to hold him.

Farfar and H

Farfar, Farmor, and H

The dairy where we bought the ice cream

Of course, we were also there to see Timo's grandmother, not just to swim and eat ice cream. She enjoyed seeing the kids play and interact. H let her hold him a bit, and the two of them even had this thing going on where she would shake his hand and say, "Hi," then he would walk off, and return later to do the same thing. It was fun to see them interact.

H and Mormor

Mormor also gave the kids hand-knit hats, and they tried them on for the camera. AJ refused to look at the camera and smile, but that is not so unusual.