Field Trip

Last week we spent the day in Rochester, NY (about 2 1/2 hours away) at Strong's National Museum of Play with several of our friends. Below are some of the pictures that we took while we were there. There was so much to do and the kids had a blast. There was a Sesame Street area, we all sat on the steps and had pictures taken, there was Elmo's world and the Taxi cab, Big Bird's nest and so much more. There was also a mini Wegman's (a grocery chain in this area), where the kids could shop, buy and check-out their groceries, they could be the baker or the produce manager. We also got to go into the Butterfly Conservatory and see hundreds of butterflies up close and personal - Aubrey was a little unsure about this part b/c they did get pretty close, but it was still lots of fun. There was also a stage where the kids could put on different costumes and perform for the parents. Like I said there was so much to do - we were there for 6 hours and didn't even see it all.

As we were getting ready to leave, Aubrey put me into a state of panic. There was a group of about 15 of us, all wearing tie-dyed shirts that we had made and we were standing at the front of the building, many of us were finishing up in the gift shop. Aubrey was standing next to me and I turned around to say something to another mom and when I turned back she was gone. She is known to wander, so I looked around the gift shop a couple of times, told the other mom's that I couldn't find her, they started checking for her in places nearby, I was calling her name and then started getting scared. One of the mom's went out into the parking lot to see if anyone had seen her and everyone that was asked said they hadn't seen her inside or out. Finally, one of the mom's went into the bathroom which was around 2 corners and down a hallway and there she was in one of the stalls. She had just finished using the bathroom and was so proud of herself and all I could do was cry!!! It was the scariest 5 minutes (a friend said it was only about 3 - but it felt like an eternity!) of my life. She kept saying, "No, mommy, I want to do it myself!" I finally got her to understand that she couldn't leave and go to the bathroom by herself, she had to let mommy know!

We were all worn out after a long but very fun day.


Playing in the grocery store - she made me a donut.

Seeing what it would be like sleeping on a ship.

Rylan & Nora taking a much needed nap.

Playing dress-up and acting.

Rylan had a blast to - there was so much to get into!

Aubrey, Julia & Paige riding in the Sesame Street Taxi

Rylan & Nora checking out some buttons.

Rylan in Big Bird's Nest

Grocery Shopping

Wearing an apron - getting ready to cook something.

The Famous Sesame Street steps.

Elmo's World

Playing the piano in Elmo's World.

Rylan, Justin & Jeffrey in Elmo's World.

Rylan & Justin watching Mr. Noodle.

A big aquarium with lots of fish.

Aubrey enjoying the day.

Rylan couldn't wait to get out of the stroller.

Look Mom - No hands!!!

Aubrey looking at the butterfly that was right in front of the stroller's wheels.