Sloan Museum - Wednesday, October 8

 On Wednesday, October 8 we joined our play date buddies, the Fairbanks, for a fun day exploring at the Sloan Museum in Flint. It was our first time there and we definitely plan to go back! We are so thankful that Miss Carrie invited us to join them!

 Until January, they have a Curious George Exhibit that was just right for the ages of our crew to experience.

 Micah had his first opportunity to try out putt-putt golf...

 ... he could use a little more practice!

 The baby sisters, Helen and Lucy, who are less than a week apart, were pretty good that day, napping for much of the time as we played in the morning.

 Investigating how wind can make things move.

 Henry and Barrett are about 7 months apart. Right now that seems like a lot (Henry is big enough to push Barrett around a bit), but it won't be long before they will be able to play together on equal footing.

 Despite the age difference, Henry really likes Barrett (and Lucy, too). He often asks about them and wants to play with them again!

 Sometimes Henry likes to try to direct Barrett a bit too much (still some supervision required for these two!).

 The rocket slide was a hit. Henry was able to climb up and slide down all by himself.

Micah and Henry found an activity that required teamwork and it was a good chance to practice this skill together. 

 They collected the cubes and then sent them up the chute.

 Henry loaded the cubes and Micah turned the crank to send them up to the conveyor belt. This entertained them for a while as Mommy fed Helen.

 Four little monkeys!

 Miss Carrie, Barrett, and Henry climbed up into the loft which Micah decided was a tree house - just like Jack and Annie have in the Magic Tree House books.

 Next, we moved onto the Wisner's Whizbang Emporium, a permanent exhibit at the Sloan Museum. Henry really enjoyed the realistic shopping cart and grocery area.

 After Henry shopped, Micah put the groceries away in the kitchen and worked to prepare us a meal.

 All this made us a bit hungry, so we took our lunch break in the picnic area. (Doesn't Barrett look relaxed in his stroller, lounging while he eats?)

 The real ambulance was a hit with the boys.

 They each took a turn to drive to the scene of emergencies.

 Inside the ambulance...

 Meanwhile, Helen was napping again.

 Henry had to pick up more groceries. Obviously, this little monkey likes his bananas!

 Barrett was enjoying the train table.

 Oh, and Mommy was there, too. What fun it was to explore this museum with friends. Although we had five children, three years old and younger, it was manageable with two adults! It reminded Mommy of the days when she and her brothers would have play dates with their friends, the Nevins and Laux families, in Charlotte. Now Mommy understands that perhaps those events were just as much for the mothers' sakes as for their kids!