thematically fickle

The last two times I’ve visited Seattle, I’ve taken Ruby to the Children’s Museum. The first time was so fantastic, I could hardly believe it existed. Who was the genius that came up with this stuff anyway?

I couldn’t wait to re-visit the place when Ruby was old enough to wander beyond the generous space designed specifically for the youngest of the young. The toddler area (Discovery Bay) had—among other things—fun house mirrors, a small walk through jungle made of car wash-like noodles dangling from trees and a river in which kids could float toy boats and sink various animals. Next to the river were coat hooks offering miniature aprons for the kids to wear while splashing in the water. It was terribly cute, even for someone hardened and mean like myself.

The Gaydi Project, Ruby and I wandered the rest of the gigantic museum during trip number two, our jaws slack with amazement as we saw an art class taking place in Imagination Studio, dressed Ruby in a costume at the Bijou Theater, negotiated a basket of vegetables from Grocer Ruby at Neighborhood, and pressed lots of buttons in the recording studio of Mindscape. There were other permanent exhibits (Cog City, Global Village, Mountain Forest) but we only had time to peek at those. There really was so much to see and do that it demands repeat visits.

The downer, of course, was the sad realization that I had to come home to…nada. The only thing this city offered was Kid City at the Reuben H. Fleet Space Center and saying the two are in any way comparable is like saying that our backyard inflatable pool is as thrilling as Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags, forgetting about all the millions of gallons of pee-water for a sec.

BUT! Finally! Finallyfinallyfinally! We have our very own museum here in San Diego and I’m so happy I could just run outside and pee in the inflatable pool right now!

The New Children’s Museum, is opening on May 4th with a free community block party (begins at noon, parade at 1:pm) and those who attend will get the first glimpses, grabs and climb-upons of what is sure to be San Diego’s long overdue answer to the void I described above. I’m excited to the point of praying, in my own pagan way, for torrential rainstorms over the next 8 weekends so I won’t have to feel guilty about bringing Ruby indoors for adventure (and art and culture). Those nutty Museum designers thought of everything, though: There’s a gorgeous new park just outside the doors and over the bridge of The New Children’s Museum, perfect for a late-morning picnic. Or an it’s-time-to-go-home-for-your-nap-now meltdown. Which ever suits your needs.

One of my favorite things about the Museum itself—without yet seeing the innaugural exhibit, childsplay—is that it was created with sustainability as a priority. That scores major points in my score book. According to their literature, “The New Children’s Museum is one of the first green museums in California,” and being fortunate to have walked through it several months ago while construction of installations was just beginning, I can say that the building itself is truly breathtaking. The space is open and airy with exposed beams and bolts and lots of windows, allowing the beautiful natural light of San Diego to pour in.

After nearly three years of taking my kid to The San Diego Zoo and The Wild Animal Park and—I’m ashamed to admit it—SeaWorld, and after nearly three years of trying unsuccessfully to come up with creative projects to do around the house (if I have to play Legos even one more time, I’m going to build a sanitorium in which to house myself), I’m looking forward to having this option in the repertoire.

Who needs a gigantic, overpriced, urine infused waterslide? My child now has a place to “think, play, create.” Exactly like the Museum staff intends her to do.