A Big "Edventure"

Corny title...I know!

While on our "layover" in Columbia, we were able to take a few fun field trips around town.

On Wednesday, we spent a wonderful afternoon at Riverbanks Zoo with Amy, Emory, and Watson.

We had an absolute blast and canNOT wait to see them again!

(Go read this post to see some pictures and for Amy's point of view... I will post some more pictures later)

Thursday we drove back to Fripp to collect our things.

Unfortunately, the air conditioner at the Johnson's house was beyond repair and we were unable to return for our much anticipated long weekend.  Boooooooo!

(If you were wondering, we are not counting this as one of our "fun field trips.")

Friday morning we ventured out to Edventure Children's Museum downtown.

This was Gracie's first time at the museum, and she had a great time!

In case you've never been before, this is what greets you when you walk in:

Eddie!

Eddie is a three-story-tall multi-ethnic kid.  His "insides" have been made into a giant jungle gym complete with a trampoline stomach (yes, you can jump with the giant foam food he ate for lunch) and an espophagus slide.

This is what Gracie thought of Eddie:

She actually began shaking and starting backing towards the door.

It took both Grammy and myself pleading and carrying her in order to make it through the door!

She quickly got over her fear when she discovered the slide...

A quick family picture...

The next section is my absolute favorite part of the museum.

I totally wish they had one of these for me to play in when I was a kid...

A miniature Piggly Wiggly!

Gracie loved it too (as we knew she would)...

Each child gets to choose and scan five items.

My child chose two doughnuts, a frozen peach cobbler, and three kiwis.

She is her mother's daughter...

(And don't worry, we're working on the counting to five thing.)

Next it was on to the farm where we enjoyed picking peaches, planting vegetables, gathering eggs, milking a cow, and riding a tractor.

She also loved the full-size fire truck and fire pole, but she ran around that exhibit like a wild woman.  I couldn't get a picture because I spent the whole time chasing her.

Jack spent most of his time doing this...

So, he was very excited when he got out to play in the toddler room...

Gracie wasn't quite so entranced by the mirrors.

She preferred looking out the window and watching the cars drive down Gervais...

We also enjoyed the West African exhibit...

Gracie is the drummer in the bottom left hand corner :o)

The music room was also a big hit...

After a few more trips down the esophagusl-slide, we headed home.

It took us a little under 2 hours to cover the entire museum, but it felt like we were there for two days.

Chasing a VERY excited toddler is HARD work!

Before we left Mom and Dad's house on Friday afternoon, we attempted a picture with the grandchildren.

Gracie managed to escape...

But, we got a great one of Grammy, Papa, and Jack!

Thank you to everyone who made our unexpected stay in Columbia so much fun!

(Especially Mom and Dad for hosting us much longer than you expected.  We love you!)