One of the really unique things about OMSI is their children's playground. The playground allows great opportunities for the kids to participate in different activities (unstructured), but they're learning like crazy. Here, Brighton, Bella and Max don their squirrel costumes and get to crawl around on the floor and act like animals - literally.
Below is the squirrels' nest, where the kids can gather their nuts for winter, store them, and talk about the process while they are participating in it. There was also a hollowed out log home for raccoons, a birds' nest big enough for parents to sit in, and a bear cave.
Below, Brighton is enjoying some quality time in the water center. Rubber boots and water-proof shirts are provided!
Max and Bella dig for dinosaur bones, below.
I have no idea what costume Max is wearing in this picture (is that a lobster claw in his hand?). It was funny, so I snapped it.On the way back from the wedding in Sunnyside, WA, we drove along the beautiful Columbia Gorge. A few days before our drive, we had overheard a conversation about Thomas the Train making a stop in Hood River, OR (which happened to be on the way), so we stopped, and . . . there he was, in all his glory! Sir Toppam Hat was there as well - live and in person!
The Thomas the Train exhibit had fantastic art projects (with lots of glitter, as Bella demonstrates) to participate in.
Max enjoyed the dozens of train sets that were out and available to play with.
On our way out, we stopped to listen to a one man band specializing in percussion instruments (think LOTS of Miami Sound Machine). The kids were provided with some tambourines, and had a great time dancing to the music ("come on shake your body baby do that conga I know you can't control yourself any long-a").
And that, ladies and gentlemen, will close the blogging on our trip to Portland. I may have gotten a bit carried away, but we did have a great time.
