Bay Area Discovery Museum

It's been ages since I've visited the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Fort Baker/Sausalito, at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.I actually volunteered at the children's museum back in high school. At the time, they were located in a shopping center and maybe took up one or two storefronts. I'd organize crafts in the art room, pick up all the Colorforms (love those!), and gather up all the fishing boat props strewn about by the kids. I remember helping prepare for the move to the new location, and unpacking once things were moved over. Opening day was my last visit, and at that time, I had no idea the museum would become as big as it is now.
The BADM is set up for children up to age 8 (according to the website). It's a beautiful place to visit and the exhibits/play areas are divided into multiple historic buildings with a courtyard in the center. We started our visit in the Bay Hall, a simulation of local ports, and which houses that big old boat I remember from way back when.
Next we moved on to the outdoor exploration area, Lookout Cove. This was my favorite area, with great trails and observation decks built into the hillside and numerous areas to play, build, and explore.
Although the Discovery Cafe was closed, there were numerous tables available for us to feed the kids before we took them to the art studio. Munch loved painting and squeegee-ing the windows while her friend painted-Last stop was Discovery Hall, which currently has a "Living in Space" exhibit. Most interesting display? The kiosk demonstrating using the toilet, and the "video targeting" technique, in space! (no photos of that!)

More Winning Outfits

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (aka Marine World)

With all of the traveling Munch and I are doing this summer, I didn't bother getting us season passes for Six Flags this year. Unlike past years, when we'd find ourselves there at least once a week, Munch and I actually only had just enough time to squeeze in one visit to the park this summer- and luckily it was with my oldest and best friend, Munch's Aunt Gina, and her oldest son, M. First ride was Cobra (Munch's favorite)- it's a mild, non-loopy, good first real coaster for kids.Next we headed for the spinning rides, which I just cannot do and usually send AudioDad to ride withe Munch. Aunt Gina to the rescue!Despite the hour-long wait (it was so quiet, we could walk right onto every other ride in the park), Gina and I were most thrilled that the kids were tall enough to ride "Tony Hawk's Big Spin"- here's a clip from the opening of the ride in the St. Louis Six Flags from YouTube:After a morning of the more thrilling rides (to a 4-year old, at least), we stopped for lunch, let the kids lead the wayand then let them loose in the Looney Tunes section of the park-

Dress Up

Munch has really been putting together some winning outfits lately...
This one is while playing dress up-This one is from when she decided to "dress for dinner"-And this is her everyday fabulousness-

Happy Anniversary!

Our wedding, July 12, 1997- Meadowood Resort, St. Helena CA
Because our anniversary fell on a Monday this year, I suggested to AudioDad that we celebrate with a family day trip over the weekend. I wanted to be sure to include Munch so that she could understand the idea of our anniversary as a celebration of the beginning of our family. AudioDad decided we'd head to Point Reyes to see the lighthouse. I liked the idea because there would be good places for food and Munch wanted to go to the beach. We started out in the town of Point Reyes Station, where we stopped in to Cowgirl Creamery for some of their delicious Red Hawk cheese.I was disappointed to have misread their website, as I was hoping to watch the cheese making process through the viewing window in the creamery. Munch was thrilled to sample all sorts of cheese at the cheese counter and we left with half a round of Red Hawk, a thick slice of goat's milk cheddar, and a wedge of a delicious sheep's milk cheese called Abbaye de Belloc.After our creamery stop, we made our way the Marin Sun Farms butcher shop around the corner where we picked up some ground beef and a roasting chicken to add to the rapidly filling cooler in the trunk.Munch had fun stomping over and around the hay bales in their picnic area while stealing slurps of my iced Blue Bottle coffee.We made it to the funky Pine Cone Diner just before the lunch rush.After a quick peek at the restaurant menu, the fried oyster po'boy was an easy choice.After lunch, we headed out to North Beach along the Pt. Reyes Seashore. Unfortunately, any ideas Munch and I had about dipping our toes in the waves were rejected after seeing the posted signs warning visitors of dangerous waves and the presence of sharks.Instead, Munch set to work digging the "deepest hole ever".After dusting the sand off, we headed out the curving roads to the lighthouse. We passed by several historic ranches and dairies and saw cows grazing on hilltops overlooking the ocean.The walk out to the lighthouse visitor's center provided us with some amazing views-and a memorable climb to and from the lighthouse-Good thing I planned for a little treat when we arrived- Munch had an incredible view of the ocean as she nibbled on her chocolate cupcakebefore we began the steep trek back up the stairs!