Museum of the Albemarle

Yesterday my phone reminded me that the museum in town was having a preschooler activity this morning. When we first moved here, I spent an hour one day searching websites, looking for different activities in town that we could participate in to get out and meet people. Well, we actually have been quite busy since we moved here, and today was the first time that we got to go to one of the events at the museum. After going this morning, I'm a little bummed that we've missed so many other opportunities! It was a lot of fun! Since it's November, the guide spoke to us about local Indians, showing us how they made clay pots, talking about how they used to hunt and gather and what type of houses they lived in. She attempted to read a story about two little Indians, but with 20+ 3-5 year olds (and a few one year olds mixed in) she ended up telling about each picture and jumping through the book as quick as possible! :) Can't say that I blame her. Then we went to the Discovery Room where they have a small teepee type structure set up, a "campfire" with an old fashioned grill over it used for cooking the fish and crabs they have out for the kids to play with. And there were old fashioned wooden bowls and tools also used for cooking. On another side of the room there was part of a boat for the kids to climb in and turn the wheel - perfect for sailing around the world. We all sat in a circle in this room, and using modeling clay, we fashioned small pots just like the Indians once made. (They said that in 24 hours, the clay will harden and we will be able to paint them or color on them with markers. Pretty neat!)

After the preschooler time was over, Noakea (did I mention that the Beans met us there?) grabbed Cayman by the hand and said he wanted to take Cayman to see the helicopter. Off they went (Sheena followed behind) to find the Coast Guard exhibit in the museum. There's a huge (fake) helicopter that the kids can climb in, pull up a rescue bucket to save the teddy bear, push a button to make the propellers spin, etc. They also have child-size suits for the kids to try on so they can be just like the Coasties! Noakea and Banyan's Daddy is in the coast guard, and Noakea found the suit that his daddy wears everyday. So he got to try it on and look just like Dad. (Of course Cayman wanted nothing to do with the suits, but he was fascinated with the helicopter.) Charis was fond of the inflatable life boat they had on display for the kids to climb in. It was really neat! We had a great time, and I'm already planning to go back next month for their next preschooler activity. If Ian can take off one morning, we may also go back to decorate a gingerbread house (and let someone else take care of all the cleaning up afterwards!) :) Not too sure if I'll attempt that one alone though....