Play Lab Study at the Field Museum

On 6/19/08, the kids were able to participate in the Field Museum's Play Lab Study.  Todd was nice enough to meet us there in the morning because we needed a parent for each  kid.  The kids just had to play in the Play Lab's Pueblo area and then go through the Native American exhibit and meeting house upstairs, while being followed around by a researcher.  The next day we have an activity at home to complete, and then two weeks later another set of activities.  Then you mail everything back to the study folks.  In exchange: free parking, free passes to the museum and free membership to the Harris Loan Center in the Field Museum.

After we were done with the study, we were able to sneak into the Underground Adventure (right) and  Mythic Creatures exhibit (below).

I couldn't resist the Unicorn vs. Narwhal toy for the kids.  They have magical battle horns that you can switch out.  Ummm...Cool!

Ribbit!

We went over to the Shedd Aquarium afterwards because it was a free day.  Free days aren't actually the best idea here.  Too crowded for one thing, and not really free for another.  They still make you pay an arm and also your best leg for the Oceanarium area.  We just stuck to the free stuff since we had a full day already.

Here is an experience box we checked out from the Harris Loan Center. It was all about insects. It was really neat to be able to take these things home and study them up close. There were books, videos, and tapes included also. They have so many neat things to check out, even real dinosaur bones!

Butterflies at Brookfield

6/17/08

We went to see the Butterflies at Brookfield Zoo today.

Moldarama Madness!

Okapi!  

Chagall For Children at the Kohl Children's Museum

6/16/08

We went to the Kohl Children's Museum today to see their special exhibit, Chagall for Children.

It is a multi-sensory, hands-on exploration of Marc Chagall's art.  

There are 15 different stations, each focusing on a different painting with a different activity. It was a very fun and interesting exhibit all the way through. The kids want to come back and enjoy this again before it leaves the museum.

Madeline's favorite piece was "Paris Through the Window".  

Chagall would have approved of her dress, don't you think?

Andersonville Midsommerfest and Scribblemonster

6/14/08

Andersonville Midsommerfest

Max really enjoyed the performance of  Where the Wild Things Are.  

Madeline was tired, but excited to see the Scribblemonster concert.

Scribblemonster!  We really like their music.  Maddie's favorite song: Beautiful Day.  Max's favorite song: A Monster Goes Rrraargh.

Max had been feeling lousy all day, but the minute the music started, he got up and went crazy with the dancing.  It was so funny.  

Beautiful Day

A Monster Goes Rrraargh!

Oz Park

6/13/08

After we left the CHM, we spotted the Tin Man statue and realized we were at Oz Park.  We stopped in to enjoy the Emerald City Gardens and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.  

Dorothy and Toto

Follow the Yellow Brick Road!

Fun park.  My only question is...

Where is the Cowardly Lion?

Chicago History Museum

6/13/08

I took the kids to the Chicago History Museum today. We have never been there before, mainly because I thought it would be boring. But it was really cool. The best area for kids is the Sensing Chicago exhibit.

Who wouldn't want a picture of their kids as a Chicago-style hot dog?

On the ceiling above the bun is a mirror so that the kids can see what they look like as a hot dog.  It says, "Mmmmm.  You look delicious!"

Maddie riding a high-wheeled bike, the kids jumping around in the sound area, and the scent of Chicago history.  Not all of them were sweet!

Here are the kids squinting in the sun.

Other fun things were the train and old fashioned el cars to climb on, an interesting exhibit on the great Chicago fire and, out back, a melted remnant of storefront burnt in said fire.

Indian Boundary Park and Zoo

6/12/08

Indian Boundary Park



Zoo and Field House

When I heard that this park had a little zoo, I just had to take the kids over.  We spent our extremely hot afternoon exploring.  The Tudor-style Field House is a beautiful little building with interesting Native American themed ornamentation. There is also a duck-filled lagoon and a small public zoo with goats, sheep, and various birds.  The kids had playing fun in the park and checking out the animals.  When the heat got to them, we were saved by the Paleta Man selling push-ups and rocket pops.