Capt. Mondo's World o' Mondo-ness

Annie's First Trip to the R.O.M.
Saturday is Erika's day with her sound equipment. So it's my day with the kids. After being away from them for the better part of a week, I was more than glad to spend the time with them.

Last time we went to the Science Centre. This time, the R.O.M. Vanessa was keen on seeing the dinosaurs again, and while I didn't think Annie would necessarily get too much out of it, I figure she would at least have fun running around in there.

We arrived by cab shortly after it opened. I decided to renew my annual membership while I was at it.

We stopped by the Timothy Eaton statue and I rubbed his left foot for luck, and I told the kids about the tradition. When we got upstairs Vanessa saw a metal dino and duly explained to Annie that she should rub its metal head for luck as well. ;-)

First major stop: dinos. The best part about going early is that there are so few people there at that time. Annie happily ran around the dino exhibits following her older sister. Best part was when I held her over my head to have a closer look at a fierce-looking Albertosaurus. "Oooo-oo!" she exclaimed, more interested than in any way scared. I noticed that a lot of the panorama displays seem to be developing their own archeological layers of dust. Parts of the display are fast becoming "what we used to think about dinosaurs". Am hoping that some of those plans for the grand expansion include some money thrown at some of these old displays in need of an update. Still, the kids love it, even in its current state.

Then over to the Franklin/Exploratorium area. Again, it was great being early, as neither were crowded out as yet. Vanessa dug in the sand to uncover a buried dino skeleton, and Annie similarly had fun with a brush. With tummies beginning to rumble, we made our way downstairs for lunch. I expected near-mayhem handling both kids, but they were both very good, Vanessa cheerfully munching away on a hotdog and Annie guzzling down a packet of cheese nachos. Not exactly health food I know, but definite kid-pleasers.

Afterwards, nipped into the store. Seeing that the catalog from the last major exhibition was on sale at 60% off – in other words, reasonably-priced – I decided to nab a copy for myself. Annie found a plastic Viking helmet that was her size, and started running around the store with it, both hands holding on to it, grinning wildly and going "geeeee". I couldn't not get it. Somehow it suits her.

Knowing that Annie would be getting tired soon, I went and got a stroller for her. This was a good idea, as it definitely extended our stay at the R.O.M.

We intended to head to Vanessa's perennial favourite, the Bat Cave, but I got the floor on the elevator wrong, and so we saw the suits of armour and other "treasure" that Vanessa wasn't terribly interested in. I was impressed by the collection of Art Deco furniture pieces donated by the Ostry's, but neither of the girls were, so we soon headed out and up the floor where the Bat Cave is.

Vanessa was interested in seeing the bird section first, so she had a good look around in there, having fun opening up all of the drawers showing bird skulls, owl poop, camouflaged baby birds and eggs. Vanessa kept asking me when looking at the stuffed birds: "Is it dead?" "Yes, it's dead". "Aw, poor bird" she'd reply. I tried explaining that though dead, it was nice that we could see them closely and appreciate just how beautiful they were, but she was more interested in the idea that they were all dead things. ;-)

Then, into the bat cave. Darkness, "pretend bats" on the ceilings, recorded bat calls, puffs of air brush past your cheek, and strobe lights make it look like some bats are flying out. Even a tired Annie got interested in this. So once wasn't enough.

Before Annie started flagging, we managed to see part of the North American fauna exhibit, as well as the geology exhibit. Then I bundled up the kids and took a cab back home.

A fun expedition all around.