The Children's Museum

We visited a children's museum in a town not far from here this week. Carolyn had a fabulous time. She developed her musical talent with tamborines, shakers, and a xylaphone. She explored a tree house. She tried her hand at driving a big rig. And of course, observed the effects of gravity combined with PVC pipe and magnets. Overall, the outing was a hit. We'll definitely go back.

Of all the things in the children museum, the squishy balls in a cup were Carolyn's favorite. 

The wonders of PVC Pipes, Magnets, and Squishy balls. 

Hello in there! 

Daddy's have fun at the museum too! 

A wee train ride 

She's got rhythym! 

Pensive in patent leathers. Just had to share this one.  

A Day at the Beach

We're still out on as many expotitions as we can possibly get under our hats this leave period. Yesterday, we spent some time at a new beach. It had miles and miles of sand to explore and some beautiful bluffs just behind the beach. We walked for quite a way and saw all sorts of things. We found our first sand dollar. It was still brown and fuzzy. Weirded me out a bit. We also stumbled serindipitously upon an Eagle Shadowing a Heron or a Crane (I don't know my birds very well, I guess). The heron would move, and the Eagle would follow. We were able to get amazingly close to both of them. It was absolutely beautiful.

Carolyn had fun in the sand. She dug, and dug... And ate a handful or two at one point. She also pranced and danced all around the beach and did quite a little bit of exploring herself.

A day at the beach! 

Carolyn played in the sand quite a bit... She also managed to eat some. Such is the life of a toddler.

Beach walking buddies 

This heron was trailed by an eagle for quite some time. I'd never seen anything like it. 

We watched and watched the Eagle 

He was just huge. 

One More Tiptoe Through the Tulips

Andy has been on leave, so we thought we would go tulip-finding one more time. It's later in the season, so the tulips are ready for cutting, and just brilliant. Tulip-festival time provides marvelously cheap dates--You find a field, pay $2 to park, and walk as long as you want. This field had bright reds, deep purples, delicate pinks, and my favorite--a very subtle yellowy white.

Carolyn had lots of fun getting a view from Dad's backpack. I think she felt important. Her Mama skipping around singing, "Tulips, Tulips, Look at the beautiful tulips!" entertained her quite well too.

Tulips, Tulips everywhere! 

A yellow one snuck in with the pinks 

Me and tulipness 

Andy and Carolyn tried out our new backpack. They both liked it.