Today we have a guest post from Jenni Ingersoll.

If a king was coming to visit my house, I am sure I would be in a whirlwind of preparations.  Such is the case of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.  After months of construction, reconstruction and improvements the world’s largest children’s museum is set for the arrival of the king – King Tut that is.

A new exhibit, Tutankhamum: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs will open at The Children’s Museum on June 27th and run through October 25th, 2009.  Over 130 treasures from the tomb of the “Boy King” and other important rulers from 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history will be on exhibit.  Many of these splendid objects have never been seen in the United States.

The wonder of the Egyptian pharaohs, their purpose in the earthly and divine worlds, and what their rule meant to the people of Egypt will be the focus of the exhibit.  Among the powerful leaders whose artifacts will be displayed:

• Khefren – whose great pyramid remains among the seven wonders of the ancient world
• Hatshepsut – the queen who became king
• Psusennes I – owner of a golden death mask
• Tutankhamum – the boy king who died under mysterious circumstances around the age of 18 or 19 during his ninth year of reign, in 1323 B.C.

Of the 11 major galleries located within The Children’s Museum, four will be devoted to King Tut.  Each will correspond to the four rooms of his tomb – the antechamber, the annex, the treasury and the burial chamber.

The legendary treasures, discovered in 1922, will include Tutankhamun’s golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry, one of four canopic jars inlaid with gold and precious stones and CT scans of Tut’s mummy.  Among the statuary will be the largest image of King Tut ever found, a 10-foot statute that retains much of its original paint.

A timed-entry ticket must be purchased in combination with General Admission to the Museum, and specifies a 30-minute entry window for admission to the exhibit. Once inside the exhibition, visitors may stay as long as they wish within normal business hours.  Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended to ensure entry for a preferred date and time. Check information for exhibit hours and ticket prices.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit facility committed to enriching the lives of children as it enhances their natural curiosity and love of learning.   Through its dedication to the areas of physical and natural science, history, world cultures and the arts, The Children’s Museum is a place to interact and learn.  The Museum has been a favorite place of mine to visit since I was a child and a place I love to take my children.

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is located at 3000 North Meridian Street in Indianapolis.

Jenni Ingersoll shares her love of all things Disney, writing at The Disney Traveler for PlanetEye.

Photo credit: Valerie Everett @flickr

If outdoor recreation and wildlife is your idea of a perfect vacation, San Luis Obispo County provides a California Natural Escape.  With parks and beaches, a national monument, fresh water lakes, and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, this area provides an array of family friendly eco-activities.

Wildlife lovers will get their fill in San Luis Obispo County.  It’s a top birding destination (over 450 species have been noted here), it’s on the winter migration path for spot gray whales, it’s congregating ground and mating spot for elephant seals, and it’s a wintering ground for migrating Monarch Butterflies.  Sandhill cranes call it home, as do bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and brown pelicans.  Water residents include sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters.

Here are a few spots to catch a look at wildlife and sea life:

Piedras Blancas – Located along Highway 1, this spot is home to Northern elephant seals.  Viewing is best during winter, the birthing and mating season.

Pismo State Beach – Home to one of the largest Monarch butterfly winter gathering spots, estimated at over 50,000, these beautiful creatures peacefully interact with humans on the North Beach campground.  Great viewing November – February in a grove of eucalyptus trees.  Be sure to keep your eyes open, you’ll find them on the ground, in the air, and in the trees.

Morro Bay – This estuary along the Pacific Flyway is the location of the annual Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival every January.  The Museum of Natural History, located in Morro Bay State Park, has hands-on and interactive exhibits and displays that cover the eco-system and environment of the area.  The museum is on a hill and overlooks the water, giving you fabulous views in addition to a learning experience.

San Simeon – The Coastal Discovery Center is located on Highway 1, directly across from Hearst Castle.  Exhibits include rainbow trout, a tide pool sculpture, deep sea videos, and more.  FREE admission.

South of Morro Bay - Montana de Oro State Park, with 8,000 acres of cliffs, beaches, and canyons, is home to black tailed deer and the black oystercatcher.  Plenty to do for naturalists and backpackers along hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails.  Camping is available.

Bakersfield – Carrizo Plain National Monument has an area for wildlife viewing, and you’ll likely spot tule elk, pronghorn antelope, giant kangaroo rats, San Joaquin kit fox, sandhill cranes, and raptors.  It’s also home to Painted Rock (a sacred place to Native Americans) and the San Andreas Fault.  In spring, wildflowers burst into bloom all over the place.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

The best thing about warmer weather in Birmingham is that Pepper Place Farmers Market opens. We go every Saturday we’re in town, and this weekend was no exception.

The market just opened for the season. Years ago we were just one of a few folks who headed out there every Saturday, but it’s since become hugely popular here. Which is a good thing for the farmers.

Today we bought a bunch of strawberries, because Truman would choose to eat strawberries over any other food on earth. We also bought tomatoes from one of the few vendors who had ripe ones to choose from. Then we went home and made Ina Garten’s Greek Gazpacho for dinner.

Our Publix didn’t have Sacramento tomatoes so V8 had to do (oh hush, Ina), and I did without the olives because I have an aversion. I also used panko instead of day-old bread just because I had it on hand. And I love panko. 

I plopped a generous hunk of nice goat cheese over the top, which was one thing my old recipe didn’t call for.It was to-die-for. Even Truman devoured it. Well, he mostly devoured the toasted bread crisps I served with it. Then we paired it with a nice bottle of Cotes du Rhone.

For dessert we had a generous serving of Adam Lambert performing with Rick’s childhood favorite band Kiss – DVR’d from Wednesday night’s awesome American Idol finale. Sigh…makes me wonder how the rest of the world is faring this Memorial Day weekend.

Photos, JWJourney

We all went to the T-Bones Game tonight and we had a blast. This was the first time we actually went as the entire family, the older three and dad went last year but me and the youngest bowed out due to the weather and his size. This year though, there was no stopping us as going as a family and we all had a great time and lots of memories will stick from this round of ball.

IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

On the way up the kids were asking all about baseball and why I was such a fan. I got to tell them all about my years (growing up) in softball and how I got to play on the first team (on our base) to have a boy on the team. Course this also meant others followed suit and I got to steal home against him as the pitcher. They all laughed as I shared in my stories of skinned knees, bruised sides, catching a ball in the face and more. I even got to share with them how I was nicknamed “Babe Ruth” and no I’m not sharing that here. Let’s just say it was a painful experience but one I’ll never forget and I did get the base.

IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

Oh for those wondering our team did NOT win, but our hearts shined anyways. Four bats were broke during the game, 2 people were injured and the score I can’t even remember but I do know we lost. At the end the showed fireworks, during the game anytime they set those off my youngest would hide under cover. Poor thing, can you tell he hates thunder and noises like it? Oh and Soccerboy wants to find a glass case for his ball.

Do you fancy yourself quite the dude or dudette?  Maybe a City Slicker vacation on a dude ranch is the kind of western adventure you’re looking for.

Not just a corporate retreat or a bonding weekend, a dude ranch is also a value-added family vacation.  Especially if you live in the western part of the United State or Canada.  A relatively simple drive within this geographical area, will yield nearly 100 ranches that are members of the Dude Rancher’s’ Association, an accrediting organization that monitors organization ranches to make sure they are both authentic and that they meet high standards.

Ranches are located in 11 western states (Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming), and 2 western provinces (Alberta and British Columbia).  You’ll find most of them located in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Arizona.  Sadly, none are in my home state of Washington.

Dude ranches provide a year round ranch vacation, with southern ranches more popular in the winter and the northern ones more popular in the summer.  Some ranches are open year round, and many provide special holiday activities.  Doesn’t Thanksgiving on a ranch sound wonderful?

A ranch vacation is all-inclusive, and include rooms, meals, and activities.  At most ranches the rate includes the riding program, and for the most part, you will be able to stay on budget with a rate that includes a full schedule of activities in addition to your meals and lodging.  Some ranches charge extra for riding lessons, alcoholic beverages,airport transfers, river rafting, pack trips, and cattle drives.  A full explanation of what is and isn’t included varies by ranch, and is clearly listed.  Most ranches add a gratuity on to the final bill, and the proceeds are distributed to all employees.

Rates are typically quoted for a week’s stay (in the $1-2,000 range), and some ranches also offer a 3-day weekend stay.  Prices vary based on location of ranch and amenities, time of year, and type of accommodations and number of guests.

A dude ranch getaway offers all the traditional Western experience that you would expect, they are working ranches after all, but they also offer a whole lot more.  I checked out a few of the ranches that are conveniently located to me, and there were tons of activities.  You’ll find horseback riding, wrangling, fishing, hiking, whitewater rafting, canoeing, tennis, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hot air ballooning.  Some ranches even offer programs that include golf and relaxing spa treatments.  Programs are available for adults, kids, and the whole family.  And several offered FREE wireless internet access.

It seems that everyone will be at home, home on the range.

Photo credit: SXC

We took advantage of the fabulous weather this weekend by going to Magic City Art Connection, an annual art festival in downtown Birmingham. We love everything about the event, but now that we have a little boy, we see the festival in a whole new light. Yesterday, we spent almost the entire time making crafts in the kids area. This year, we learned how to make a toy guitar out of a box. Thanks to the friendly event volunteers, here’s a step-by-step guide how to make one of your own using common office supplies:

1. Locate a box. Most any box will do. Ours was pretty big so the end result was too big to work as a guitar…but we found another use for our instrument. (See #9).

2. Tape the box closed and cut a hole in the middle.

3. Using a hole-punch, punch 3-5 holes on opposite sides of the hole you made in the box.

4. Thread clips through each hole and …

… then wrap a colorful rubber band between two opposite clips.

5. Slide popsicle sticks along each set of clips. You can decorate your popsicle sticks if you want. Or buy colored ones. 

6. Take a flat side of another box and roll it into the shape of a handle, or guitar neck. Cut a hole on the side of the box and slide the tip of the neck into the base and tape it in place.

7. Paint your masterpiece. (On second thought it may have been best to paint the guitar before installing the strings.)

8. Set the guitar aside to dry and clean the paint off your hands as best as possible.

9. Once the paint is dry, enjoy your new box guitar or, as in our case, standup bass!

Photos, JWJourney

As you know we are on the road with the kids today heading out to the funeral, while driving down the VERY long highway we decided to make this fun too. Afterall it’ll be sad tomorrow and the kids need a bit of fun today.

IMG: The Life of a Home Mom

So each stop we made them get out and walk around but imagine their surprise when we stopped off for my Starbucks in Kentucky and across the street was the one place we really don’t like…..CHUCKY CHEESE! Of course we stopped and had a blast.

The two youngest went off with me to have some fun at the water guns, bowling like game and some bouncy ball game. Then daddy took them around with him and I sat down for a bit. We let the older two (as long as we could see them at all times) go off on their own. Finally we ate pizza and soda and I made them all get cheesy photos of themselves as popstars or race car drivers. It was a BLAST! Yes, the kids did get to add up their winnings and buy something together. When was the last time you went out and acted like a kid?

Life’s too short not to enjoy it with the ones you love.

April 18 – 26th is National Park Week, an annual event established by Presidential proclamation, that celebrates and recognizes the important of America’s National Parks.  Parks are a living example of our country’s beautiful landscape and varied heritage, and provide us with numerous recreational and educational opportunities.  They’re just plain fun!

This year’s celebrations focus on a lot of activities for kids, in conjunction with National Junior Ranger Day on April 25th.

Here is a sampling of activities:

• Russell Cave National Monument (Alabama, in photo) – Kids can make a Native American necklace and enjoy a nature hike along the way to a cave shelter.
• Boston National Historical Park (Massachusetts) – Enjoy a scavenger hunt along the Freedom Train and at Bunker Hill Monument, and learn to make rope in the Navy Yard.
• Lewis & Clark National Historical Park (Oregon) – Learn about the Columbia Condors:  Forgotten Giants in the Sky.
• Effigy Mounds National Monument (Iowa) – Special Earth Day hikes.

You can find out what’s happening at your National Park on this list of National Park Week events.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

http://www.nps.gov/npweek/sched.htm

In school, where I was substitute teaching second graders, we discussed April Fool’s Day and playing  jokes…but having fun that wasn’t mean.  The youngsters even wrote about this in their journals.

Image: istockphoto

When I was a youngster, we enjoyed April Fool’s Day jokes in our family. However, Mother stressed ones that didn’t hurt other people nor their feelings.

Teach youngsters a sense of humor that encourages laughter, but not laughter at the expense of someone else.  Find jokes that are comic, not mean.  Discover antics that may be slapstick, but not harmful.

My mother told of her father’s sense of humor that involved actions such as wearing his glasses upside down on April Fool’s Day to see if anyone would notice.

Her brothers might button their shirts unevenly, wear a belt buckled in the back, shoes on the wrong feet (if they would fit that way).

She and her sister might put water in the milk pitcher, turn the calendar to May 1 instead of April and see if anyone would notice, pin a bow on the dog’s hair, wear different colored socks.

So Mother taught us to develop comedy that brought laughter, sometimes at oneself, sometimes at others, but not in a harmful or hurtful way.  This became a day of family fun. I hope that I’ve passed this on to my family, too.

What April Fool’s Day fun do you and your family have?

No longer the playground for the retired generation, Palm Springs has been working to cultivate a younger, hipper image.  This includes reaching out to families with the activities and attractions in the area that will appeal to all sizes and shapes of families.

The Living Desert is just that kind of attraction.

Founded in 1970, The Living Desert is a combination zoo and botanical garden based entirely on the desert eco-system.  It covers about 1,200 acres of land, and is a pioneer in environmental education and native wildlife rehabilitation.  It also has active captive breeding and plant propagation programs.  The organization sustains itself through admissions and an aggressive membership and volunteer program.

I’d recommend visiting in the morning, shortly after opening.  The weather is not yet hot and uncomfortable, and the animals are a lot more active.  If you’re lucky, you may even get to see some of them having breakfast.  Be sure to catch the giraffes being hand fed.  It’s amazing to get an up close look at these amazing gangly creatures.

I also love the meerkats (also called mongoose).  They live communally and are quite playful and mischievous.  I’d suggest watching them for an extended bit of time, rather than hurrying by, so you get a sense of their remarkable personalities.  And they are just so darned cute!

As you walk along the various pathways, you’ll see other wildlife as well as lots of plants and flowers native to the desert.  There’s more to the desert eco-system than just cactus, and I’m always surprised as what blooms here.

There’s a children’s play park and picnic area, so the little ones have room to blow off steam, and adults have a place to rest up, too.  Another child friendly attraction is the Petting Kraal – a petting zoo where both kids and adults can get up close and personal with African goats, Ankole cattle, Sicilian dwarf donkeys, Jacob’s sheep and Nubian goats – species that live in the African deserts.

The Living Desert is located at 47-900 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert, just a few minutes from Palm Springs and Indio.   Season hours are Daily 9 am – 5 pm (August 30th – June 15th).  Summer hours are Daily 9 am – 1:30 pm (June 16th – August 31st).

Admission: $12.50 for adults, $11 for seniors (62+) and military, $7.50 for children ages 3-12, and children under 3 are free.  Discounted admission is available during summer hours.

A couple of hours should allow you to see everything The Living Desert has to offer, and if you’re a real animal fan, allow yourself 3-4 hours. Bring your camera, wear comfortable walking shoes, and drink plenty of water. Remember, it’s a desert out there.

Photo credit: SXC