New Favorite Children's Museum
I don't think we had lived here long and I asked some people I knew in the area about the Richmond's Children's Museum. I saw online they had 3 branches and was looking for input on a place to take Thomas.
Well, all the suggestions came back telling me the one in Short Pump was small and for little ones and to try the main one first.
Well, I never did take him. He was exhausting from ages 18 months thru 3! Anyway, thanks to a weekend of "how about we try," a birthday party and Grace taking me with her, we have been to the main branch several times now. It is big and neat and lots of fun--but loud and overwhelming. The kids don't see it that way of course.
Anyway, today Grace asked if Thomas and I would like to go with her and the kids to the Short Pump branch.
Sure, why not!
I liked it from the door.
This place is so much closer to my level of creativity/thinking.
It was so cute-sy!!! There were themes and organized play everywhere! I love, love, loved it!
Apparently several pieces of the "cuteness" were new including a replica of the Silver Diner for kids to play restaurant in.
Next door to the diner is a grocery store of course, you wouldn't want to run out of food!
The exhibit sponsored by the Richmond International Raceway used to be at the main branch, and was now in Short Pump, so the boys had fun pretending to be race car drivers and the flagman.
(PS: I totally want this flag stand for the backyard! How much fun would this be to play with. I made Thomas and Bryce a set of racing flags with scrap material and wooden dowels after seeing this exhibit at Rebecca's birthday party, and Thomas loves to play with his set outside with race cars)
There was the neatest pirate ship for pretend play, and behind the pirate ship is a place to dig for buried treasure. It is that rubber pieces stuff instead of sand. Too fun!
There was also a castle to play in and slide down and a separate jungle gym that reminded me of Jack & The Beanstalk.
But, with all that fun stuff, the boys spend most of their play time in the mechanic's garage working on a neat car. There were even mechanics shirts to put on as you worked on the engine and tires, and you could add things like a license plate or racing numbers. Too fun!
And, while the fix-it car area held the most interest, the most exciting part--was the train.
The boys and Emmy both got two ride around on the free under-the-sea themed train.
This location is officially my favorite!
Now, for a few times this school year I thought maybe we should invest in a membership, and then I remembered that he would be starting Kindergarten next fall, and I wouldn't have a child to take!
Quickly moving on from that thought--I can't think about it--at all!
So, next to the museum is a candy store. Grace tells me her kids have come to expect a stop. So, we HAD to go in ;)
What a neat place! It was all by the pound and it was all the same price, so I let Thomas pick out some different treats and we mixed them in the bag for later.
While Thomas and Bryce waited for us to check out, they hung out at the big table and played Candy land! Too precious this place is!
The kids were told no candy until after lunch. So, we crossed the street and ate at Which Which.
The temperature had dropped all morning and every time we left a place we felt even colder than when we arrived, so it wasn't much of a shock that we saw the snow swirling on our way out of the sandwich shop.
The boys were super impressed with the snow and complained when they couldn't see it anymore as we went down the Interstate. Of course it came back and they cheered while Emmy snored on.
What a fun day. Thanks again Grace.
Well, all the suggestions came back telling me the one in Short Pump was small and for little ones and to try the main one first.
Well, I never did take him. He was exhausting from ages 18 months thru 3! Anyway, thanks to a weekend of "how about we try," a birthday party and Grace taking me with her, we have been to the main branch several times now. It is big and neat and lots of fun--but loud and overwhelming. The kids don't see it that way of course.
Anyway, today Grace asked if Thomas and I would like to go with her and the kids to the Short Pump branch.
Sure, why not!
I liked it from the door.
This place is so much closer to my level of creativity/thinking.
It was so cute-sy!!! There were themes and organized play everywhere! I love, love, loved it!
Apparently several pieces of the "cuteness" were new including a replica of the Silver Diner for kids to play restaurant in.
Next door to the diner is a grocery store of course, you wouldn't want to run out of food!
The exhibit sponsored by the Richmond International Raceway used to be at the main branch, and was now in Short Pump, so the boys had fun pretending to be race car drivers and the flagman.
(PS: I totally want this flag stand for the backyard! How much fun would this be to play with. I made Thomas and Bryce a set of racing flags with scrap material and wooden dowels after seeing this exhibit at Rebecca's birthday party, and Thomas loves to play with his set outside with race cars)
There was the neatest pirate ship for pretend play, and behind the pirate ship is a place to dig for buried treasure. It is that rubber pieces stuff instead of sand. Too fun!
There was also a castle to play in and slide down and a separate jungle gym that reminded me of Jack & The Beanstalk.
But, with all that fun stuff, the boys spend most of their play time in the mechanic's garage working on a neat car. There were even mechanics shirts to put on as you worked on the engine and tires, and you could add things like a license plate or racing numbers. Too fun!
And, while the fix-it car area held the most interest, the most exciting part--was the train.
The boys and Emmy both got two ride around on the free under-the-sea themed train.
This location is officially my favorite!
Now, for a few times this school year I thought maybe we should invest in a membership, and then I remembered that he would be starting Kindergarten next fall, and I wouldn't have a child to take!
Quickly moving on from that thought--I can't think about it--at all!
So, next to the museum is a candy store. Grace tells me her kids have come to expect a stop. So, we HAD to go in ;)
What a neat place! It was all by the pound and it was all the same price, so I let Thomas pick out some different treats and we mixed them in the bag for later.
While Thomas and Bryce waited for us to check out, they hung out at the big table and played Candy land! Too precious this place is!
The kids were told no candy until after lunch. So, we crossed the street and ate at Which Which.
The temperature had dropped all morning and every time we left a place we felt even colder than when we arrived, so it wasn't much of a shock that we saw the snow swirling on our way out of the sandwich shop.
The boys were super impressed with the snow and complained when they couldn't see it anymore as we went down the Interstate. Of course it came back and they cheered while Emmy snored on.
What a fun day. Thanks again Grace.
SO much fun! And thanks for the pictures. I finally got around to blogging about it tonight! And yes, it is 12:01 AM. Apparently it's the only free time I have anymore!
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