The Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum Los Angeles

This was our first visit to The Spider Pavilion at the NHM and I really wasn't sure what to expect. One thing I knew for sure though, there would be real, live spiders there. I mention this because early on it became apparent that other visitors were not actually expecting well, spiders to be at The Spider Pavilion. At least not ones crawling around freely. Let me reassure you, the poisonous spiders are in enclosed environments, but the other less venomous ones are free to roam the pavilion that also houses the Butterfly Pavilion earlier in the year.

My husband mentioned the suspect timing of having The Spider Pavilion immediately following The Butterfly Pavilion to the staff. But we were assured that the spiders were not used to er ah, "clean things up". No, the spiders are actually hand fed worms as they would starve otherwise.

I was rather proud that my children didn't squeal in fright at the site of spiders wrapping up their prey caught in their web. That was until other visitors showed up and (adult and children alike) began making a scene. My 3 year old daughter called time on the whole thing and her and I went outside to check out the enclosed spiders. Still she wasn't much happy. My son seemed to handle the whole thing with his typical aplomb. If you are planning on bringing your own children, do yourself a favor, if you don't make a big deal out of it, chances are they will follow your lead.

Cheers!

J.

Our greeter as we walked in the door. 

Hey, where'd he come from? He doesn't look like a worm. 

Checking out the enclosed spiders

Close up

Movie set at just the right height

No, Simone is not happy with Mommy's little education field trip

Lunch is served!

Yummy!

De Wain Valentine's Gray Column at The Getty Center

In our continuing effort to supplement our children's education, we took them to see the 12 foot tall Gray Column at The Getty Center. This is a part of the Pacific Standard Time exhibit currently going on all over Southern California museums till May 2012. 


I was surprised to find how reflective the surface was, as the photos below show. 

I was interested in finding out what my children's reaction to the piece might be. My 3 year old daughter was more interested in the high-tech info station than the monolith. My five year old son's only verbal reaction was "It's beautiful." And then he proceeded to play with his reflection.

I love bringing my kids to The Getty at different times of the year. This time the gardens were closed so we ended up exploring more of the surroundings than we usually do. There's plenty of things to see, touch, listen to and experience for young children. I especially recommend it for home-schooled or unschooled children. 

Reflections of the opposite wall. Descriptions of how this piece was made.

I see you.

This large vase was in the next gallery over. The nun helps give some perspective so its size.

Detail of vase

Even the cafe floor at The Getty is interesting.

Playing on the large lawns is encouraged.

My son is staring at a small lizard he found crawling on the travertine stone wall. Another note for those with dinosaur fixated children, there's plenty of fossils to be found in stone walls as well. 

The children's play room gives kids a chance to touch after hearing "Don't touch!" throughout the day.

"What does it feel like?" 

Detail of creek leading to the main waterfall in the garden.