My Brother the Ape at the Natural History Museum

We love the They Might Be Giants children’s music. B’s first album was Here Comes Science which features his jams My Brother the Ape and I am a Paleontologist. Since he loves his science, and running around so much we headed over to the Natural History Museum to show him science in action.

He really loved the large mammal room and being able to get up close to all the different animals but the dinosaurs and the ocean life were a close second. I loved having the space for him to run and showing him all the different interactive exhibit pieces. There were “fossils” to touch, electronic and mechanical exhibits to work and we even got his picture taken and then turned into a cave man (hilarious.) I was extremely nervous to take him around at such a young age but once we got there I realized it was the perfect place for us to cruise and learn. Since we are going to be looking for lots of indoor activities to keep us moving this winter I think next up on our museum tour will be the Air and Space or American History museum.

being a giraffe- they have long tounges

More Choo Choo: Union Station Holiday Trains

As promised, a little more info for our model train enthusiasts in DC. Since we are between class sessions right now and desperately needed a way to let off some steam B and I headed over to Union Station to check out their holiday train display and grab some lunch with friends.

Union Station has two different displays set up, one that is set up on the floor with plexiglass around it that is perfect for tiny tot viewing and another larger display that is up on tables and protected by a gate. The lower level display featured four trains circling through the mountain tops and towns and the larger table top display featured another five or six trains circling around towns. The displays also offered a good amount of reading material for older children and adults and even offered information on where to purchase some of the models. Another highlight of the day was enjoying the view of the trains arriving and departing from the windows next too the parking deck. Who would know sitting in the freezing cold could be so much fun. The holiday display is free and open to the public through January 2nd. There is plenty of parking (although it is costly) so a cheaper option would be to look for limited street parking or take the metro in.

Lil B sporting his Santa’s little train conductor look

The display is not nearly as exciting as the one at the botanical gardens but if you have a little one who is into trains and you are looking for an outing you might consider taking the metro to Union Station, going to the gardens first and then walking back to do the Union Station display and lunch before heading back home.