Once again Mike left for an out-of-town adventure. This time he headed to South Dakota for some turkey hunting. I was really reluctant to encourage him to go because of all the time he’s already been away this month, but I figured we’ll have all summer to be together (except for the week he plans to leave right before I’m due to give birth). The one nice thing about Mike being gone this time is that he took the dog with him. Oh, the freedom of not having to lock the trash cabinet up, or not worrying about the girls’ or my food getting swiped, or being able to turn my back on the stick of butter without it getting gobbled up in mere nanoseconds, or not worrying about whether I left the toothpaste out on the counter upstairs for fear that it will get eaten, or not having to constantly tell the dog to stop licking her paws obsessively which ends up leaving big, wet spots on the furniture, and the list really does go on.

Mimi went on a field trip for school a couple of weeks ago at the local children’s museum. I tagged along and took way too many pictures. Let me share some with you.

This seems to be a common theme in all the children’s museums I’ve been to: a phone that allows conversations across the museum. I don’t think Mimi was actually talking to anyone though.

There was a little cottage with stations showing the kids how a home is built/decorated with such tasks as painting, wallpapering, shingling the roof. Mimi was happy to assist. I wish she was this willing at her own home.

Mimi is a little woodland creature with tail and all. She also now knows what it would it truly be like to live in a tree.

Why do children love to get themselves and their parents wet? This water area was fraught with that situation, including Mimi and me.

Do I sense some musical interest and talent from my little angel?

Mimi then got to see what it’s like to be a farmer. Milking a cow, brushing a horse, driving a tractor, and picking corn (something that may actually apply to her since we’ve got “our” cornfield in back).

Of course, we couldn’t pass up the daycare center where they had anatomically correct babies. However, it seemed as though it was a daycare for only girls.

This was my favorite part of the journey, Potbelly’s Sandwich Shop (which only made me crave their delicious sandwiches). Mimi, on the other hand, was not as pleased to become the sandwich girl. I guess this means I can’t expect my 16-year-old daughter to bring home free sandwiches from her deli job some day. She did seem to enjoy the position of cashier but only because she was trying to take money from the till. I did finally get her to make me a sandwich after much bargaining. I think I owe her a pony or something.

There was also a grocery store, but it was apparently the popular place to be with a long line each time we passed by. I made the executive decision to skip it.

The museum had a face-painting station that allowed children to just have at it on their own. I decided I would take over for Mimi for fear of what mess Mimi would make. I know, I’m a horrible mother for not letting my child explore the experience of painting her own face. Look how much cuter she looks though with a mom-made lady bug and butterfly. I think Mimi was much happier with the results, too.

Do you remember in the 80’s visiting Spencer Gifts and playing with that object that had pins in it where you could make an impression of your hand or face? Well, this is what that is only life size. The kids loved it. Here’s Mimi making an impression of her face/body.

The last section we visited was the veterinary office. I think this rated #1 or #2 as Mimi’s favorite place in the museum. She got to wear a real lab coat and take care of a puppy with medicine, a shot, look at x-rays, and use a stethoscope. It was so cute watching her really getting into it.

As you can see we had a busy and exciting day. Mimi was still rarin’ to go on the bus ride home. I, on the other hand, was purely exhausted and needed a nap. I may have to take the girls back this summer.