"Habitot" Children's Discovery Museum

I knew it was going to be a hot day on Saturday so I did a little research and decided we should take a quick day trip to the bay area. Grant has soccer in the morning, then we went and did the Lowe's Build and Grow (they were making little wooden pirate ships), went home for a quick snack and then headed out. I have been in search of fun, hands-on children's museums and I found one in Berkeley. It is called the Habitot Children's Discovery Museum.

You can look on-line to get a better idea of what it is but basically they have all sorts of things for the kids to do including: facepainting, wall painting, play-dough, craft projects, full market complete with groceries, cash register, shopping carts, etc, a water area, and infant play area, a farm area, a play fishing pond, and more. Though it was a little smaller (and more expensive) than I would have liked, the kids had a blast. We stayed there for 2 1/2 hours. The drive on the way there was quite trafficy but we zipped home in about an hour and a half. It was a fun day. Oh and to top it off....we ate at the most amazing, our favorite pizza place - Zachary's pizza. If you have never eaten there...you are truly missing out. True, chicago-style deep dish, did I say AMAZING pizza.

Morgan playing in the infant area. Lots of crawling mats, balls, etc.

The kids in the paint area. They had fun painting but they probably had more fun helping the staff member clean and squeegee the board off.

By far, my kids' favorite part was the water area. On this particular day, the water activity was "washing babies." Who would've thought that washing babies could literally entertain my kids for over an hour. There was a water table complete with babies, watering cans, bottles for soap, towels for drying, etc. They had so much fun playing Mommy and Daddy and I know I will be doing this activity at home with them outside. Good times!!

Even Morgan loved the water tables. There was also a part that had a river-like slide. You could pour the water at the top and watch it make its way through the river.

Grant loved this other thing in the water area. You could push the buttons and if you did it fast enough, water would spritz out the top all over the place. He thought he was pretty funny!

Loren was quite the little mommy, right down to emptying out her bath when she was done. So cute. She has asked me every day since if she could wash her babies. Note to self: buy more plastic babies that can get wet.

Morgan loved to just sit there and fill the baskets with the pretend fruit and veggies. Fill it up and then empty it.

The kids spent a great deal of time on this tractor too. They loved filling it up and driving it back and forth. Luckily there were several so not really too many fights.

Another thing they have is a market where you can grocery shop, pay at the cash register and then prepare a meal and serve it like a restaurant. The kids always love to play kitchen and they had lots of fun here.

Morgan getting her groceries.


Another thing they had was a face painting area. They had these things like crayons that you dipped in water and then you can write or paint your face. One little girl was putting it on like make-up. I decided to be a good sport and let Loren paint my face instead of her own.

Daddy and Morgan!!

Morgan and the little horse at the farm.

Grant stacking hay bales. This boy loves to stack and move and build.

There was even a magnetic fish pond.

We had such a fun day and it was so nice to escape the 100 degree heat and go where it was only 79 degrees (gotta love the coast). I am on a Children's museum hunt now and can't wait to find more. I know there are some good ones in Stockton, San Jose and Sausalito. Road trip anyone? Oh...and I saw online that they are opening one in Rancho Cordova in January. That will be something I definitely will want to get a membership to.

June 24th, 2009

We celebrated Morgan's actual birthday by going to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Lucille's.  Don't you just love how Grant had to wear his builder hat, gloves and carry his stop sign!

LOVE our big 1 year old!

Big Sister

Morgan thoroughly enjoyed her birthday dessert!

Happy 1st birthday, Morgan! We love you!

Morgan's Birthday Party

We just want to say thanks for all our family and friends who came to celebrate Morgan's First Birthday. We had such a fun day. We decided to have her party at a park that my dear friend, Joy told me about. It was a great park complete with a small play structure, a sprinkling water feature, swings, a sandbox, etc. We couldn't reserve the park so it operates on a first come first serve basis. I had no idea just how popular it was and we were lucky enough to get two tables with shade even though we only got there an hour before the party started. Thankfully, my Dad had brought some pop-up tents and other family brought camping chairs. It worked out perfect.

The kids played, we ate pizza and fruit, visited, had cupcakes and opened gifts. It was a great day and Morgan was in great spirits the majority of the time. And, we couldn't have asked for better weather. Definitely not your typical late June day!!!

Morgan posing in her birthday outfit. She loves to sit in little chairs, anything her size really!!!

Loren would have stayed in the swing all day long. The only problem was Daddy really couldn't be in the sun that long. She LOVES to swing!!


Grant and Loren weren't quite sure about the water feature at first but then they warmed up to it and were having a great time! I think all the kids were!

Grant and Lily playing in the sandbox. Grant could dig and dig, all day long!

We brought along Morgan's booster chair for her to eat it but didn't take into account that we really didn't have an appropriate chari to attach it to. We had to rig this chair with some pizza boxes to keep her seat level. haha!! She didn't mind and had fun eating her lunch.

Morgan loves balloons and was happy playing with this one!

It was a bit to windy for lighting candles so we just sang happy birthday and gave her a cupcake. To my surprise, she didn't even cry while everyone was singing to her. She didn't really know what to do with the cupcake. I gave her a few tastes of the frosting and she seemed to like it.

Typical Morgan, offering you her food. Haha!

After finally digging in and eating a bit, she lost it. She was done. Didn't like the mess and just wanted to be done.

Yummy cupcakes!!!

Morgan and Mommy!

Morgan opening her presents. Unfortunately, Grant and Loren were like a tornado going through ripping and tearing open presents. Guess they forgot whose birthday it really was :)!


She was done. Tired and ready to go home. She fell asleep on Grandma Ols' shoulder while we cleaned up and packed up the car.
Playing at home with some of her new toys. Grandma got her this cute ride-on horse but she kept falling off the back of it. I think we are going to take it and exchange it for a safer ride-on toy. She also loved the little doll stroller that Mommy and Daddy got her.

Love that toothy grin!!!