Field-Trip Sunday: Petersen Automotive Museum

I think we're just not really car people? We visited the Petersen Automotive Museum on Museum Row on Wilshire's Miracle Mile today, and kept ourselves occupied for a while (not least because there's a Johnny Rockets inside where you can eat lunch), but I think we were all a bit "meh" about the whole thing.

There was an exhibit about streamlining that would have been an amazing resource for a kid studying physics and math, but overall we couldn't quite figure out what to do with ourselves. And it's really dark in this museum. Why no windows, Petersen?

"Batman? ...Mom, he doesn't move." (As seen in the Hollywood Cars gallery.)

This was on the second floor, which I actually liked best because it had the most actual cool cars. The first floor is a weird historical display and the third floor is the thematically confused children's floor.

Hands-on Model T experience in the children's gallery.

There are also two huge Hot Wheels race ramps in the children's gallery. These were Jackson's favorite part of the trip.

This was my favorite thing. Nothing to do with cars although the placard did mention something about "motion." I sat and watched the various routes the balls could take while breastfeeding Jason. Very entertaining. When I'm a gatrillionaire, I want one of these things in my house. :)

Nature Study: Stick Bugs

If it's spring, it must be time to start finding insects in the yard. Above, Jackson checks out two stick bugs we found while clearing out some passionfruit vines. He was largely unimpressed, so we set them free and put a snail in the bug cage instead. Heh.

Happy Jason

Jason is 10 weeks old, and as of today he's able to grip a lightweight toy like the O-ball. He's also still incredibly smiley and joyful, as you can see above.

Happy Easter 2013

I coached Jackson for the Culver City Easter Egg Hunt like I was Haymitch preparing Katniss for the Hunger Games. "OK, when it's time to go, ignore the low-hanging fruit right in front of you. Every little kid is going to go for those eggs, and you won't want to get caught up in that scrum. I want you to run for those trees, as fast as you can go, and don't look back. Show me how fast a two-year-old can run, OK?!" And then I realized I sounded INSANE so I stopped talking. 

The kid did fine for himself, as you can see above!

Field-Trip Sunday: Santa Monica Museum of Flying & Airport Observation Deck

Today we visited the Museum of Flying at the Santa Monica Airport where they have a nice collection of historic airplanes and local aviation history. It's a genuine aeronautical reliquary with intentions of being a serious museum, but are still some climb-on fun-times for little kids, not least of which is the nose of a Boeing 727. (The 727 was once owned by FedEx and now embedded in the side of the building and available for little pilots to visit.) This was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon, not least because the museum is bright and clean and very well-appointed for parents and kids alike!

Jackson checks out one of the planes parked outdoors. 

Cockpit simulator, once used for training real pilots, now used for thrilling little boys with big imaginations.

Pilot does his pre-flight checks...

...and then pulls back on the throttle for takeoff!

Jackson and copilot at the controls of the 727. Direct quote: "Ready for takeoff. We're going to Burning Man!"

In another part of the airport they have an observation platform where you can watch the planes takeoff and land, while listening to radio traffic from the control tower.

Baby Remix: Same Genes, Same Outfit, Same Age

JASON: 1 month, 25 days - MORE SOCKS

JACKSON: 1 month, 24 days - MORE HAIR

Sunday at the Train Museum & Feed Store

Jackson helped himself to the cleaning equipment at the Lomita Railroad Museum and got to work on a steam locomotive.

If you put a dime in the box and push the lever, this thing runs for a minute. Bring many dimes!

Naturally, despite the real live train cars outside, Jackson was most interested in the train table and the gift shop.

We also stopped in a hokey old feed store we encountered along the way. If you need a fantail pigeon,  Blacksmith's Corner in Bellflower is the place to go.

Among other things, they have on a hand, for your amusement, a very gentle pet duck.