Kidspace Museum

I was determined this summer to take Bennett somewhere fun at least once a week (and try to figure out how to do it inexpensively), so I signed up for a field trip class for toddlers at a local community school. The first outing was the Kidspace Museum this week. Bennett just loved it. They have so much for little guys to explore and climb on. It is really cool for all kids. They have a museum with hands on exhibits, and an outdoor water area where trust me...they get wet...and so do the adults! Fun place!

Bennett learning earthquake preparedness by learning how to strap down items in your house so they don't move if the earth moves.

Learning how rain causes erosion in mountain sides. For Bennett it was more about water and how he could wash his matchbox cars the best way! So far I don't think he has gone anywhere without taking a car along with him. :o)

Bennett trudging through the outdoor stream and kicking up some water.

Havin' fun in the water.

Video of Bennett straping stuff down in case of earthquake. Really just a bunch of magnets with wires on them..but the kids get the point.

Video of my crazy son playing in the water feature that shoots water up through the grills. He was on hands and knees trying to catch the shooting water with his hands oh and also his mouth!

Underwood Family Farm

We had some fun with Bennett the day we took him out to the farm in Moorpark. This farm is amazing for kids. In addition to being a working farm, they have pick your own veggies, and they have a whole section of fun stuff for kids. They have everything from tractors to animals to wooden trains to pyramids of straw bales to play on and climb on. They had every animal from emus to miniature donkeys to pet and feed. We picked lots of blueberries (which are Bennett's favorites!) We had a really fun day.

Bennett with the miniature horses.

The fun wooden train to climb on.

Bennett actually picked blueberries. He thought this was pretty "pun"(fun in Bennett language.)

Bennett navigating the tractor.

Bennett and Grammy hanging out in the wooden truck.

This is a video of Bennett petting the miniature horse and the goats.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Today we headed down to Long Beach to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Bennett had a great time. He got to pet a stingray, feed a Lorikeet bird, and run to his heart's content. He definitely recognized the little fish that look like Nemo from Finding Nemo. Mostly he loved the shark tank though. We stood there forever! (oh and he was oddly amused by the bead toy that they had in the nursing section of the bathroom as well. We probably could have sat in there forever and he wouldn't have gotten bored!) Great day - gorgeous weather, and lots of fun stuff to see.

Bennett and Grammy Pat feeding the Lorikeet birds.

We figured out that snack time is very important to a 2 year old! He is feasting on Goldfish crackers at the Aquarium. I thought that was funny.

Bennett heading out towards the lighthouse on the point. (He was of course outrunning both me and mom, but we caught up eventually. :o)

Bennett hanging out on the grassy knoll. He aptly pointed out the big boat in the background as he said "That big boat!" The boat is of course the Queen Mary.

Travel Town

Mom and I ventured over to Travel Town Park in Burbank with Bennett. He has always loved trains, so this was a great way to spend a day for him. He had a great time. It was a little hot, but it didn't stop him from climbing all over all the cool old trains there. We took him on the little train ride too pictured below. This park is so cool...best of all it is free to get in to! We just let him climb on everything till he was so tired he was ready to drop for a nap.

Me and B in front of the little train that goes around the park.

Havin' some fun on the train ride.

Bennett and Grammy checking out the big engine.

Stopping for a water (or wanner as he calls it) break. :o)

The two videos below are part one and part two of our little train ride.

Noah's Ark Exhibit

We visited the Noah's Ark Exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center this past weekend. What fun for the kids! Bennett just loved everything about the exhibit and his cousins Sam and Max did too. Here are a few pics from the day.

Bennett is starting young at his computer...much to the delight of his dad!

Part of the Ark.

This video is of Bennett and Sam putting the little animals on the conveyor belt that takes the animals up into the ark. Too cute. Bennett playing with the giant bee and bee hive exhibit. Bennett playing with the zebra which was made out of air vent covers (like you would find on a house roof), and the mane was made out of piano keys.

This video is of Bennett pushing down a handle that simulates wind and how the leaves blow in the wind. He stood at this exhibit for about 20 minutes!

Sam sitting on a turtle.

Joe and Max.

Max and Amanda petting the puppet fox.

Max and Grandma Ardis.

Crocodile made out of a violin case and rubber tire .

Elephant over top of the crawling tunnels.

Flamingo.

Owl.