Monday, July 23, 2012

Grace Children's Museum


Ally, Aidan and I had a great time in downtown Abilene one day. We first went to the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) to see a Dr. Seuss/Lorax exhibit; unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos.  We walked through the Center looking at original drawings by Dr. Seuss for his book The Lorax and browsed the book shop where Ally got her own copy of the famous tale.  From there, we walked in the sunshine over to the Grace Museum, which also contains an interactive, hands-on children's museum. We've been there before but some of the exhibits have changed and it's always big fun anyway.  The kids played and played and probably would have stayed there for another hour if I'd let them!


Aidan "driving" the ambulance and feeling the "Texas Tornado"


Ally on stage

Aidan handling the lights for the next performance

This was a cool new addition--a musical wall.  Each separate wood block made a musical sound, creating a tune as each touch combined with the previous one. 


Ally's turn to drive the ambulance


Learning about body systems


Your intestine is HOW long??

Playing a giant game of "Operation"

Dr. Ally checks out her patient


We also went upstairs to see the historical museum--I loved these old phones and switchboard systems!


The kids got to try out an "old timey" typewriter--how strange it seems in the age of computers!

I also loved this sign-- "when computers were groovy."  I remember having to use punch cards in a huge mainframe computer when doing my research project in grad school.  My, how times have changed!

After the museum, we stopped by the Post Office to mail a package and then had some lunch at McKay's Bakery, including, of course, dessert!  This took me back to the days when Suzassippi and I had the Abilene Peace and Justice Center downtown and often stopped in at McKay's for soup in a bread bowl or, my favorite, cream puffs. 

What a lovely day with two of my sweeties!

3 comments:

Suzassippi said...

I used to take J to the kid's museum when he was about Aidan's age! That was deja vu all over again. I loved the historic "rooms" upstairs, especially that 1950s kitchen. The Peace and Justice Center--another dream come true, even if only a short reality!

Gigi said...

Yeah, we've been going there for years, too! Love the historical stuff upstairs--life has certainly changed in many forms. It was funny to ask the grandkids what they thought certain items were--they had no idea about the old wood burning stoves and various kitchen implements. :) I saw the P&J Center and had a rush of memories--what a lovely (if cash-strapped) moment in time. :)

Suzassippi said...

Rent Party!