OMSI

Over Labor Day weekend, DH surprised us with a daytrip to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). It was the first time for the kids and I hadn't been there in I don't know how many years. It used to be located by the zoo, but then they relocated to downtown Portland by the river and so it was neat to see the new layout. Our kids are quite inquisitive, so this was the perfect place to let them just explore and discover to their heart's content.

We checked many of the different sections and the kids played with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos. There was a science playground and labs to experiment with a variety of things. They had a few free exhibits going on that we checked out as well. The kids loved the reptiles and amphibians section. There were a myriad of snakes, but only a few frogs and turtles sprinkled here and there. The best part was the chance the petting area.

There was a special section devoted to babies that displayed the different stages of development from tiny embryo to full grown fetus. This part was both creepy and morbidly fascinating since the fetuses were all real (donated to science). My own grandfather donated himself for scientific research after his death from cancer a few years back, so I could respect that...though it was a strange sensation walking through it all. We didn't spend too long in this area as I wasn't sure how I felt having the kids see that. DH assured me it was fine, but there was just something eerie about being surrounded by these unborn babies (even if they had all died of natural causes, not abortions).

Since it was pretty expensive for admission, we couldn't afford to go to the planetarium or participate in the interactive exhibit, CSI: The Experience. We had a really wonderful day though and will definitely be back. The first Sunday of every month is only $2 a person, so we'll have to plan for that so we can check out many parts we didn't get to see.

Ready for launch!

Static electricity

Imagine if her hair hadn't been in a pony tail...LOL

Dare I press the red button?

Playing kissyface with the snake

Feeling the turtle's shell

Look Mom, it's slithering

That was one big tortoise

Do you hear what I hear?

A mural of Portland

Forecasting the weather

This is why you don't wear green on a green screen.