The Natural History Museum

Audrey and I took advantage of another "Resident Free Tuesday" at Balboa Park, and went to the Natural History Museum with a couple friends today.  We hadn't been there before, so I was really looking forward to it.  Audrey was excited to see dinosaurs at the museum "just like Team Umizoomi!"  

Audrey outside the museum

Inside, there was so much to see and do!  I love that there was so much interaction involved with many of the exhibits.  It was more kid friendly than other museums I've been to.

These blocks had different pictures on each side, so you were supposed to make them all the same color border, and then put them in the order that they happened.  Audrey just liked holding and looking at them.

Fossils of leaves

Seeing things that were familiar - like leaves, sand dollars, and various animals - made Audrey's face light up with each exhibit we came to.

Turning the wheel at this exhibit, made the deer's leg move as if it was running (to demonstrate how the joints work).

Moving this knob down from the surface towards the Earth's core, made the magma light up.

Puppets!
Audrey tried each one carefully - there was a frog, a turtle, and a ladybug.

Looking at all the twinkling gemstones in "the mine"

Downstairs in the "All That Glitters" exhibit, we were awed by all the beautiful gemstones.

checking out one of the mine cars

Audrey was so proud of herself (as was I) as she pointed out all the different colors to me.

I'm a sucker for the amethyst - my birthstone

this brooch was so detailed and amazing!

Just a couple of my favorites.

Hee hee.  It's a gemstone bra!

All That Glitters!

Audrey showing off her new necklace next to one of the giant butterfly pictures

Another one of the butterfly pictures decorating the staircase wall

There were quite a few butterfly brooches/pendants.  They were very colorful and Audrey loves butterflies.  We checked out the museum gift shop, and she picked out a cute, purple butterfly necklace.

We had a great time exploring this awesome museum with our friends and will definitely be back.  I would love to go see the Titanic exhibit while its here, but for nearly $30 a person I'm not sure we'll make it to that one...