Thursday, January 13, 2011

A museum dedicated to children? In Cleveland?

Cleveland's landmark museums are are some of the best in the country -- even the world. For example, Cleveland is home to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Great Lakes Science Center, National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and of course, our most famous museum, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. So when Becky told me our Holiday break plans included a trip to the CLEVELAND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM with Emma (and her cousins), I looked at her and said, "OK, but where in the world is there a children's museum in Cleveland?" 
 
Once I hit up Google, I knew exactly where it was. 10730 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH  44106-2200 (In University Circle). However, I still couldn't picture the building. Since I'm so accustomed to driving downtown to Cleveland Clinic for work, I was sure I would recognize or at least recall seeing signs and the building. Needless to say, that was not the case. Tucked on a little plot of land in the heart of University Circle, was a trailer/construction zone/bubble dome/condemned looking building that had a small sign out front that read, The Children's Museum of Cleveland. We were here. My wife's cousin looked at us as we got out of the car and said, "Don't let the building's appearance fool you, it's roomy inside and full of fun things for the kids to play with!" So, off we went!
 
Inside, we were greeted by the friendliest staff members. We paid our $7 admission (per person) and off we went.....
 
 Love that smile! She was playing in the sand kitchen.

 Emma, for whatever reason, was terrified of the sand. So we had to sit her on foam blocks.

 Little diva playing in the sand.

 Emma's big cousin Katie building a sand turtle.

 The shell of the turtle.

 This was the hospital room. Emma was busy at work!

 Katie dressing the dolls.

 There's that smile again:)

 Katie & Emma playing in the water. Of course, Emma had to taste!

 The water table was Emma's favorite!

 Too cute! Or nap time.

Emma playing hide & seek!