Hard to Say Goodbye

Of all the wonderful places, playgrounds, beaches, etc. that we are leaving on this island, the single place that I will miss most for the kids is the Wonder Museum.  It’s a short drive, it’s inexpensive, they always have something new, the staff are so friendly, and the kids have such a great time there.  This has been a lifesaver on so many rainy days, you have no idea.  I’m probably going to be tearing up as I put this post together.

If you’re interested, you can go back here to see how much growing Logan has done at this place.

Our favorite staffer (yes, we’ve been there enough to know some of the staff) let the kids feed the newts.

And if the kids had to pick a favorite area of the museum this would probably be it.  It’s got the books (in Japanese but we make up stories to go with the pictures), the puppets and, until recently, the dress-up costumes. 

Or maybe they just like it because they have to take their shoes off, I don’t know. Whatever the reason, we always spend a good chunk of time in this corner.

We even have a favorite toy—the giraffe puppet.  This thing is like an old friend.

See?  The giraffe even joins the kids for Japanese story time.


The dress-up costumes migrated down stairs as they rearrange to make room for yet another new exhibit.  (The second pictures is Logan and Naomi looking in a mirror.)

I love that the kids (even Naomi) know pretty much how everything works here and what the rules are, so I can just follow behind and let them have a lot of freedom.  Here, you see that Logan knows what to do with the tray in the machine and Naomi knows, and does a pretty good job remembering, to wait in line.

And this thing still intrigues me.  As far as I can figure out, that black gel must be magnetic but it makes these neat spiky patterns and then the cylinder at the top “sucks” it all up and the magnets turn off and the gel drips back down.  It’s hard to describe but very interesting to watch.

And so we spread our wings and fly away.

But we will miss you Wonder Museum!