A Day (or an Hour) at the Museum

On Friday, since my mom and all my cousins were on Spring Break, we took a day trip to Jackson to check out the new Mississippi Children’s Museum. The place is amazing- truly like candy to all your senses- but it was PACKED due to Spring Break. Helen Grace was so overwhelmed (i.e. full breakdowns including running to me, screaming, crying whenever I stepped out of view), so she was really stuck like glue to me. Not even Granddaddy and Spif could console her.

Since she loves to paint, I thought she’d like the drawing room. They had an area to finger paint, and she watched Grace Ann, Hayes, and Hastings paint but wouldn’t touch it. When they cleared out, she moseyed up to the paper and dipped the tiniest bit of her finger into the paint. She survived that and tried it again with a little more paint until she got spooked by something. I was just a foot or two away, and she scooted over to me and wrapped her paint-covered hands around my legs as tight as she could (and she also got her sleeve in paint as she moved so quickly). Eeek! *Of course,* my dad had the video camera rolling at that exact moment…I’m just grateful that he wasn’t close enough to capture the words I muttered under my breath! ;)

We stayed for about an hour at the museum, and then we decided it was time to check out the new Mickey D’s down the street. There she calmed down and was able to relax and pal around with her crazy cousins. I keep thinking the ‘newness’ of a little cousin will wear off and that they won’t be so interested in having Helen Grace’s attention, but they are still so crazy about her and vie for her attention. And to top it all off, we were able to spend Worth’s THIRTEENTH birthday with him!! Where has the time gone?! (He’s lucky that digital pics didn’t exist when he was born or else I’d include one of his baby pictures!)

Right before the fateful moment happened with those paint covered hands… Having fun with her cousins Putting one of her toy’s bows in Hastings hairYummm Hastings, HG, Grace Ann, Hayes, Worth (the TEENAGER)“Ok, people, I am exhausted. I can’t do this anymore! Time for a nap!” Laying in Mommy’s lap at GG’s…she’s really starting to crash now… Finally, she’s OUTHolding Mommy’s hand after a great nap Sweet kisses for Mommy