handsful

We visited a very popular kid’s museum in Charlotte this past Saturday. We’d been meaning to go for some time – we have a membership card that works for both the NC zoo and a lot of museums here – but, hadn’t managed to find an empty Saturday yet! Such is life in our household…

We had a great time. Tons of hands on activities, an Imax movie about Tornadoes (which made me ever so happy that we do NOT live in tornado alley…), a wonderful cafe with healthy choices, animals to see and touch, etc. etc. Randy and I were acting like kids again, with all the fun stuff. We can’t wait to go back.

One thing about the trip that stood out to me – other than the fun of lying on a bed of nails and seeing everyday items magnified zillions of times – was the overall acceptance and belief in the theory of evolution across all of the exhibits.

Not that I expected any different. Go to ANY museum, anywhere in the US, and the placards under the displays will read “millions and millions of years…” (With the exception of the Creation Museum in Kentucky, which we plan on checking out one of these days)

There was a huge display of photographs…gorgeous photos…down a couple of hallways and most referred to evolution in some way.

You know what I see when I look at the marvels of science? The beauty in nature? The vastness of the universe? The amazing diversity in both animals and people? I see God. I see marvels like the sun and the smallest of intricacies like our fingerprints that only a caring and intelligent God could design.

You might see something else. And, that’s okay. But, I take great pleasure in marveling at our wonderful world and all that’s in it, and thank God for making it so beautiful and amazing – all for us to enjoy!

Just thought I’d share all that.

Now, here are more shots of our day…

Payton leaned against a wall and ended up with this behind his head. Typical.

Dylan had to have his picture taken with the “jingwa” (frog). We got to see this exact frog and his friends gobble up bugs later that day.

Playing with air.

Jump on seats, see how far the ball in the tube will go. After I snapped this, an employee explained that you’re supposed to SIT on the seats and jump. Oops, I guess my kids are over-achievers ;)

They wanted to pose with the platypus…proof that God most definitely has a sense of humor.

Ewwww….I don’t care how fresh your manicure is, this microscope hides nothing!

Lainey makes a little friend.

Dylan makes a bigger one.

A rope bridge in the rainforest area. We saw gorgeous birds, very hungry frogs that I mentioned earlier, and bright green geckos.

These were just plain weird…little fish-worms that popped up and down out of their little hole homes. lol…

This area of the museum was such fun…lots of hands on contraptions to demonstrate principles of science. Loved it! One of our favs was the bed of nails display. We all had to try it. Lie on the bed, which is made of plexiglass punched with holes. Underneath, a bed of sharp nails that rises up once you push the button. Very interesting sensation to say the least!

They did protect your head, though. Dylan’s face says it all.

Yes, I’m posting all the kids pictures on the nails.

I turned the camera up to the mirror ceiling here.

Whew, you made it. No more nails.

Abbey shows her strength by pulling her own weight up. They had hard, harder, and hardest choices. See what she chose?

Lainey really gets into her job. This set had cranks and pulleys that kept the motions going…tiny plastic beads making their way up, down, and back again.

Our last stop was fun for the big kids. They provided little toys and other items, a computer with a camera, and a small set. We made stop-action films! It was a lot of fun. Randy and I made one using our hands creeping towards each other, and then his hand ate mine. Heh.

Thanks for letting me share our day…