La Mirada Museum Details

written by Aunt Tonya

We went to the La Mirada Children’s Museum this week. Since I was attempting to pull this thing off by myself, planning and prayers were key. Frank and Loretta arrived exactly on time. Matt greeted me once again with a smile and a toy. I setup some immediate activities in the playroom for him. He loved the electric piano – so I sent it home with Loretta. It’s a great toy for Matt because it creates lots of noise when touched and encourages pointing to individual keys. Also, send home the Gymboree tunnel that he enjoys so much. He will get so much more use of it. I tried a new strategy with making the transition easier. When everyone arrived, the car was absolutely packed and the girls completely ready. I asked Loretta to snap him in the carseat while I got the girls done. Before he realized what was happening, Loretta was gone and we were on the road. Not a tear or whimper….accept from Ash. Ash shared with him a picture that she made at school. He promptly ripped it sending her to tears. Lessons learned: Matt knows that paper makes a cool sound and doesn’t taste very good. Ash learned that she should probably not give him any more of her prized artwork. Good experience for the both of them. Toddler music, luvie and having car books shifted the odds for a pleasant car ride. We so efficiently got out the door that I had time for a small errand – drive through car wash. I admit to this being a necessary evil for adults but kids just love it especially the rainbow colored soap that drips and mixes. Matt did okay coping with the loud noise once I put my hand on his leg. We arrived at the museum exactly at opening. Again, tried a new strategy that was very successful but could have been an absolute disaster but I’m glad that I took the risk. I took girls from car and made them “buddies”. I then took Matt from the car and he was my “buddy”. No carrying. No stroller. No extras. From the onset, I made it clear that Matt would be expected to walk with the group. I could hardly believe the success. We managed the parking lot, street and entrance with our buddies in a safe, orderly fashion. Girls made it to the train depot first and we proceed to the dino garden. In the garden are dinosaur foot prints in the cement filled with sprinkler water. Girls knew better that to be splashing in the puddles. Matt did not – he set his foot in the first puddle. OK. I know that I should have been appalled when I applauded but it was funny. It was even funnier when he got to the next puddle and got both feet wet. I was laughing so hard that I forgot to clap…the girls did it for me and were annoyed at my forgetfulness. The museum is set-up in a series of themed rooms with the first being the science room. As soon as we hit the door, Matt realized that this was a play area and took off running to the first room. I waited in line and sent Kate after him. Good opportunity for both. She brought him back by the hand….he was not thrilled with her and resisting every step of the way. Kate was persistent but supportive. Again, another learning opportunity successfully captured. The first room was the centered on science. Matt loved the car and repetitively used the trunk as a slide. The girls played next to him in the dino dig and by practicing driving. We quickly moved onto the performing arts room and it was Ash’s favorite. There is player piano, outfits of every sort, real microphone and stage. Ash became the prima dona and Kate, naturally, was the director controlling the lights and music from the backstage. Matt moved things on and off the stage. He quickly learned that he could go behind the curtain, pop out and everyone would applaud. This turned out to be a game that he really enjoyed. Next it was onto the “neighborhood” room. This contains the grocery store, bus and carousel. Ash shopped at the store. Kate handled the register and Matt pushed the basket. Girls took a turn at the carousel. (Matt was not big enough to ride.) Everyone took a turn at driving and riding on the bus. Though this is always a crowd pleaser, we moved to the transportation room. Three race cars for three kids was perfect. We tried the spaceship, trains, hot air balloon, and airport. Everyone tried riding the pretend horse. By now, Matt had figured out that staying with group gave him lots of freedom. (Not staying with group resulting in him having to stay at my side.) He came out a strategy: he would watch where the girls went and then follow them to the activity. On time, he did forget about the group rule. I redirected him back to my side and he actually glared and pouted about my intervention. (Again, I should not have laughed but should have been quicker with camera to capture the moment.) He’s learning that no really does mean no. He is also learning that following the rules gives him a great amount of freedom…at least with me. He also learned that following the girls had advantages. He could follow and see how things were done by watching them. Once they were finished, he could then give it a try. If there were enough items, he would watch them first and then get one of his own. Ash did get a little annoyed with him helping on the car controls while she was driving…..I let them work it out. Briefly stopped to see the global treasure room and play the gong. We had a heavy snack in the animal room and quickly moved to our final destination. Preschool Playground has always been a great place to end the day. After chasing them around for the entire morning, this is a safe place where the kids can roam free. I just sat and watched them each do their own thing. Ash played in the house with dolls and dishes. Kate made a friend and built a block house. Matt found a dump truck that needed to be moved through the entire room. Finished the trip with a few final minutes at the outdoor playground…to hot for much activity. It was after 1:00 and we all needed real food. Stopped at McDonalds on the way home. We did a drive through lunch. The three ate happily in the backseat. Kate handled the fries. Ash distributed the nuggets. Matt feed himself putting his hand out when he wanted more. Amazingly, the car was still clean when they finished. Got the little ones their nap items and turned on the classic music. Matt and Ash were almost instantly asleep. Kate fought the sandman every step of the way and won. Dropped Matt to Glendora and we continued to upland. Swimming was the girl’s reward for behaving while at the museum. Who says bribery is not a legitimate negotiating tactic?