An exciting trip to OMSI

Gunnar, Daddy and I took an exciting trip to OMSI, after a parent at the Children's Museum told us their children actually enjoy themselves more at the play place at OMSI. It's still a germ factory, but we put sanitizer on Gunnar's hands before he went in, and again after leaving before we washed his hands. This play area allowed the parents to participate more, while still feeling more secure that they wouldn't run off, since there is an attendant at a set of big glass doors at the front. Maybe I just felt better about it because the different activities were closer together, with less chance of Gunnar running out of sight. He immediately went for the stuffed raccoons, which Daddy promptly discovered were puppets (I think these play places are just as much fun for Justin).

Gunnar then discovered the bug specimen jars, but when he found he couldn't get into the jar, he lost interest.

There was a water exhibit, which wasn't as big as the one at the Children's Museum, but had plenty of interesting things for Gunnar to play with. His favorites were the plastic fish he found floating in the water. He tried to share the toys with some of the other kids, who sort of blew him off. He always amazes me with his social abilities... although a little cautious to begin with, he always warms up and shares his wonderful little personality with everyone around him. Gunnar has even started trying very hard to communicate with words to other children, who of course still have no idea what he's saying.

Here's a shot of Justin following Gunnar on his adventures...

Gunnar really enjoyed the peg boards, and quickly got the hang of putting pegs into the peg holes (with a little help from Daddy). We had to move on, however, when an older boy started building a peg tower several feet high, and Gunnar only wanted to get ahold to knock it down (we managed to stop him just before he got ahold). It's difficult teaching a 1 year old about taking turns and letting others play uninterrupted.

Here's Gunnar trying to talk and gesture to the fish in the big tank by the infant area. The sign above the area says 0-24 months, but we decided Gunnar was too old to go play with the babies, and we thought he would be bored anyway.

Gunnar spotted a group of 5-6 year olds running up and down a step structure, while others filled buckets to be pulled up from below. He ran around to find the entrance, ran up, at which point the older kids abandoned ship. He was so bummed that they left, but when they bolted, they left behind the toys, so Gunnar recovered quickly and played a while by himself before moving on.

After OMSI, Gunnar was pretty tired and cranky in the car, so we decided on a quick dinner before heading home. Gunnar got crayons and paper, and Daddy showed him a new use for his crayons. We've decided on a new routine for restaurant-eating with Gunnar... we look at the menu before sitting down so we can order as soon as we get there, and by the time the food comes, Gunnar isn't restless and cranky. It seems to be working fairly well, and we're still working on streamlining outings.

It's so amazing to watch Gunnar turning into a little boy instead of a baby. He's often mistaken for an older toddler, and while I definitely don't want him to grow up too quickly, it's nice to know he's physically developing so well. He's so coordinated, and I'm anxious to see what he'll be interested in as he gets older.