Girls Day Out

Today I took my 10-year-old niece (#3 out of 4 nieces) to the New
Science Center on a new street not found on any map. The the parking
garage was nightmare from being so cramped and tiny spaces to park in.
Then the instructions and prices were confusing for paying for parking
that I didn't pay because I couldn't figure out the desk one is suppose
to pay at. The machine took the ticket at the exit and let me leave. The
new science center is just like the old one only bigger. It contains the
only IMAX theater in Des Moines that plays NASCAR and trip under the
sea. When we went through the downtown area, she asked if we in Omaha.
No sweetie, I explained, that is 2 hours away.

Some exhibits had possessive kids guarding what was done at the exhibit
and my niece learned to be more agressive if she wanted a turn at it.
One exhibit she really liked was a fountain where one stacks sand bags
to dam the fountain, and then watch the build up and water rush when the
sandbags are removed quickly. I had to tell her to let someone else have
a turn with the exhibit, just because other kids hog exhibits didn't
mean she had to. I enjoyed looking at the turtles swimming in the
aquariums.

Next we went to the new Herbie movie. My Mom insisted my niece go to a G
rated movie because she believed PG rated movies required a parent for a
kid to see the movie. Not exactly, just an adult. Herbie was very funny.
After that we stopped at a grocery store to get a stuffed animal and Get
Well balloon for my baby niece (#4) with a broken arm. My niece wanted
to carry her all over the room. We told her to be careful, baby is
breakable. We petted the kitties and kissed the baby before leaving for
Grandma's house. My niece had lots to say about our day and showed the
souvinirs I bought for her. Mom said I bought too much stuff. I hardly
call 3 beanie baby dogs, a pink poodle in a ballerina outfit, a rock of
fool's gold, and a plastic saber tooth cat too much. I got a beanie baby
kangaroo with joey, beanie baby pink poodle, and cystal necklace for
myself.

I had to disappoint my niece though. I said I might take her out again
Wednesday, but then realized I had to do laundry on Wednesday. At least
I gave her one day to remember. Post later.