INK Museum

Last week we visited the INK Museum in Gainesville, GA (Interactive Neighborhood for Kids) and we had a wonderful time (Claire had a blast, we enjoyed watching). The museum contains a series of rooms furnished as various commercial/public centers (restaurant, doctor's office, school, courtroom, dentist, bank, music room, etc.) as well as an antique fire truck, a hollowed airplane, a modern police car, a fiberglass cow with working udders, and much more. There were also several private birthday party rooms.

This was the perfect childrens' museum for kids that might be a tad too young for bigger ones like the Atlanta Children's Museum. We'd never seen anything like it and we look forward to visiting again.

Still learning how to wield the toy knife... it's effective but thank goodness for rubber

The apron was too long but the chef's hat was just right

"I diyd eit!"

Checking labels for preservatives and processed ingredients

Claire picked up plenty of veggies in the store - and not one cookie

Empty boxes can be confusing

Claire also found plenty of fruits that she likes to eat

Unfortunately, plastic cheese looks more real than plastic pineapple

The teeny tiny shopping carts are adorable

James had a pretty good view in the baby carrier

The no-sand sandbox was a favorite; I'm guessing because of the ducks

A fiberglass cow with rubber udders that squirt white water into foam in a bucket... who thought of that?

She looks so grown up!

A working choo-choo with gadgets that activate with a doorbell button - cool!

Claire read daddy a story

Claire knows this scale and the doctor's office from her Max the Monkey game

We hoped that this practice might help avoid a tantrum next time at the doctor's office

Paging Doctor Claire

She actually wore the stethoscope

Doctor Claire gives Daddy a checkup

 No early fantasies about our children becoming doctors... she just looks really cute

Man and Woman doctor puppets; the woman was Dr. Alli... obviously

Mommy shows Dr. Claire how to take care of baby

James enjoyed his naps that day, and was thankful he didn't have to play the patient

Claire practices brushing teeth

Say aaaaaaaahhhhhhh....

...and eeeeeeeeeeeeee

At the bank, there was an ATM and a desk. Claire knew exactly what to do.

(if you look really close, you notice that it's a computer mouse)

A tea party set! She knew exactly what to do with that.

Near the end of the day, why not unwind with some books

James had two naps, two snacks and a lot of cuddly time in Mommy's arms

Peek-a-boo!