This time to the Children's Museum in Houston. It has been all done up and in my humble opinion those designers get and A+ for their creativity. The museum was an award winner before this and now, phew, it is an amazing collection of hands on 'learning is fun' experiences. Our favorite was Kidtropolis, a street with (pretend) shops, banks, fire station, diner, art studio and so on for the kids to play 'real life' make believe. The girls just loved it. Played and painted. (Matthew is in Las Vegas at a juggling convention with his daddy. Mark you are the best dad for supporting your son's unconventional hobby :)
We had dinner at Cafe Express in the Houston Museum of Fine Art down the road and then went to see the art (Thursday night is free night). There was a fabulous exhibition of Korean photography and another one of contemporary Korean art. And I mean fabulous. If anyone reading is near Houston I highly recommend it.
My kids were enthralled, especially with the giant American style doll house that has been 'hit' with a traditional Korean house. You could spend literally hours looking at all the itty, bitty furniture and household 'stuff' inside and wonder over the violent meeting of two cultures. Amazing. They also enjoyed the jewelry of India, and full Budda covered in turquoise sequence, and the giant half sphere covered in kitchen utensils. Inspired as they were they came home and immediately drew designs for golden crowns!
Their enthusiasm has been a further reminder to do 'it', to leave the house and do something out of the ordinary. Not only because it makes life more interesting, it bonds us together through even more colorful shared memories and is educational. It is better to do than not to do! That is my motto.
Please tell me what cool and unusual thing you have done or plan to do with your family!
Shona, I have not been to the Children's Museum Downtown since Kimberly, now 16, was a toddler. Wow! Does time fly. It sounds wonderful. I should definitely take the Emily and Martin there and to the Art exhibit as well. I, like you, tend to not venture far from home with all of my business. I am not one who enjoys being on the go too much. But a good outing now and then would do us some good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewe love the new Childrens Museum too although only 2 of mine will go now.
ReplyDeleteA juggling convention!?!? You are the juggler .. five kids, a book, a blog, fun outings ... total juggler! How fun is that though that they are there! Love that!
PS Tell Mark I wrote about NYC Thanksgiving today. I wish I had pics ... I know for sure Mark and I didn't have money for a camera!
Oh Shona, we made a trip to the Toledo Art Musuem and it was AMAZING. We walked around in AWE with our mouths open. Really, it is beautiful and completely free. I can't wait to go again. Aparently, it is one of the top art museums in the country. Who knew....in Toledo. lol! Of course, I thought of ya'll and the Mucas while we were there. You guys are the reason that art isn't quite so scary to me anymore. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSince I am alone now - I am making sure that next year I take myself to all the different museums around me...we have several - and I would like to go when the exhibits change.
ReplyDeleteI was asked to be a part of a focus group at the Children's Museum next year... one that focuses on what we, as homeschoolers, would like to see at the museum. I am truly looking forward to it. My three youngest boys, 14, 9 and 5, still enjoy it! It looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteThe Museum of Fine Art is one of my favorite places.
Hi Shona!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your fun times at the Children's Museum of Houston.
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The Children's Museum of Houston