God's grace, my boys and the river: Science Center fun

Each time we go to Louisville to see Kathy, we try to add something fun for the boys to the trip. (But I will have to say that they do have a fair amount of fun playing with the toys at Kathy's office!) We have a membership at the science center in downtown Louisville and since it was a hot day, we decided to take the boys there to play before heading home. They also have a traveling exhibit there that I wanted to check out.

The boys saw the train on the bridge and wanted to go see. (Scary enough, right behind them is a huge drop off right to the river. Notice they were holding Heath's hands.)

We didn't get to play with the fun mirrors on the way in last time we visited because it was very cold. This time, the boys got a pretty big kick out of it, and I was able to take a pic of all of us in it.

Myself, included.

So tall!

Yes, Heath was on his phone some, but he was super busy this week. He even had to send off some info right after we got to the science center. He found a quiet place in the cafe while the boys and I headed to the the little kids play area.

They love this "ambulance." Sirens, a phone, steering wheels and flashing lights - perfect for little boys!

There's so many different areas for the kids to run and explore - all of the activities seem to really challenge all the senses.

These two pictures of B are from the airplane area. There's ramps, tunnels, slides - you name it simulating an airplane. They love it!

Of course, my lil' man always spends some time in the work zone.

But not for long, because it's right next to the water area, and as soon as they spot it, both boys grab rain jackets and get their hands wet!

This little guy usually gets more than just his hands wet. :)

They love it here, and on this particular day, they were the only ones around, so we stayed forever!

Cash really started figuring out which pieces to use to really make the water move fast. He had pipes and hoses all tied together - pretty impressive engineering!

This guy was more into scooping and pouring ... until he figured out how to turn the main water valve on and off. Then we had to leave ... :)

We had fun in the kids area, but Heath finished his work and it was time to go check out the new exhibit - Science in Play

A new way to use pool noodles!

The boys loved it! (But be careful that you don't run into someone!)

Cause you never know who may be playing in there! :)

Baylen loved this - it was like a Hot Wheels track, only you released a ball at the top and watched it make the loops. The hard part was getting the ball back after it finished the course!

B did this over and over again!

Meanwhile, Cash was playing with the huge tinker toys and blocks.

Engineer in the making!

Or maybe he'll just be a demo man!

This was a huge magnetic wall that you could stick kitchen things to. It startled B at first because it would pull the pans away from you and to the wall. It was a strong magnet (and of course, Heath was trying to figure out how it was working...)

B did some relaxing on the blue blocks before he and Heath checked out the wind tunnel.

They had one of these at the Magic House in St. Louis, but B was too little to remember it. You stick scarves and puffy balls in the hose and the air moves it around it and then sends it flying out. He loved it!

Dancing in the lights!

The hands-on science activity of the day taught kids the importance of snot. The sheet we were given told the health benefits and jobs of mucus. They were given a tray of "boogers" to play with.

They touched it, moved it around, picked it up, but ...

they were not impressed.

So we went shopping for shapes!

They picked up lots of different shapes, put them in their carts, and then came to check out. We had fun with it, until my boys got tired of it, and there was a line at the check-out counter. :)