Little Explorer

Monday, Nanny C had to take the day off {with last-minute notice} and I couldn't find a sitter since this week is the beginning of Spring Break so I took off myself and Mason and I hopped on over to the McWane Science Center.

Upon our entrance, Mason was in awe:
First Stop: the "Just Mice Size" exhibit. It's a play environment with constructions that are 10-times larger than life-size {from a Mouse's perspective}.

Mason enjoyed the water table:

And the submarine:

Look who's at the controls again:

This kid was having a blast:

Then we ventured to the top floor and I thought Mason might have a blast with the Giant Piano. Apparently he was more interested in looking at himself in the mirror...what a narcissist!

The "Itty Bitty Magic City" was a hit. It was a large area for little ones to explore and play. Somehow my child mostly enjoyed beating a fake banana against the metal play firetruck. Go figure:

But then after some convincing by his little friend Allie, he tried out the train table. This will definitely be something he's going to want...when we have a playroom set-up:

Then he was more gentlemanly and asked Allie to take a ride. She was very sweet to oblige:

Mason discovered the air tubes:

And realized that while it wasn't a phone...:

It was a great way to blowdry your hair:

And I'm still not sure how they do it, but the "Shadow Garden" exhibit was a hit. The computer program somehow detects figures, and Mason was able to "catch" butterflies:

After a{n expensive} lunch, we went below to the lower level to see the aquarium tanks. Mason stood amazed at the silvery fish. I was surprised myself at how fantasy cartoon-like the were in real life:

He did great for a 4-hour trek. Missing our morning nap, and having Mommy squeeze in the last exhibit after lunch, Mason just laid himself on the ground to tell me he was sleepy. Note: this wasn't accompanied by a fit or fussiness...he was simply that worn out and just laid down to let me know it was time to sleep. The subsequent 3.5 hour nap wasn't too shabby either!