Liberty Science Center & Playdate in Manhattan

We have been staying busy this week. On Tuesday we went out to the Liberty Science Center by Liberty State Park. Isabella had a great time! They had a special area just for 2-5 year old kids that was very hands-on. There were also some cool exhibits on predators and prey with live animals and some aquarium type tanks. The museum itself was pretty cool and would have been really great for 6 and up, but a lot of it was a little too old for her, but we enjoyed what we could there.

Isabella pretended (I think) that she was in charge of this ball opening and closing. In the 2-5 year old space. Isabella turned the wheel and the ball would pop out and be caught in another part of the ball contraption.
Jack just loved all the balls.
There was also a rice table to play at. We measured stuff and talked about full and empty and had a great time. I think we may have to do something like that at home.


Painting with water
This is one of the few things in this world that Isabella has shown any trepidation over. This is a "dodge a sneeze" thing in the germs exhibit. It was kind of loud and it sneezed on you when you walked by. She was excited about the concept until we got up close, then she hung back a bit. :)
Wednesday we spent exploring the area around here. We found the church and peeked inside. We walked over to Hamilton park and played on the playground there and then spent the afternoon at the Elephant spray park. That evening Nick and I enjoyed our 9th anniversary together with a bottle of wine and some cheese.

Thursday we went in to Manhattan and spent the day with my friend Meghan and her girls Riley and Piper. Our kids are almost exactly the same age, so they are well matched and played great together.

Jack enjoying some fresh blueberries that Meghan packed. His first time eating them whole and he loved them!
The girls were all decked out in their swimsuits but it turned out to be a little too cool for the water play, so they soon changed into their clothes again.
The girls sharing a panda on the playground.
Jack absolutely in love with the plastic cup Meghan gave him.
Piper and Jack
Isabella sitting on a hippo
Piper loved to climb up the slide and then slide down on her belly. Jack was impressed I think, but chose not to try any of her tricks.
Instead he found some sticks.
Jack: "Boy that slide looks really high"
Piper: "Let me show you how it is done."Jack was absolutely exhausted and finally fell asleep in the stroller. A first for Jack. I gave him Isabella's change of clothes as a make-shift blanky. He unfortunately only slept for about 30 minutes, so he was a tired guy when bedtime rolled around.


Riley showed Isabella that she could climb in the hippo, then she spent the next 20 minutes or so occupied with this.
Like Piper, Riley was well practiced at climbing.
After a really fun day we got the kiddos all cleaned up. Boy did they need it, look at that bath water!

Jack loved playing with the letters on the fridge and attempting to play fetch with the cat.We had a great time and we hope to do it again really soon!