A Day Out
(Originally uploaded by hbomb1947)
Ellis didn't have school today, for President's Day. It also turned out to be a really nice day, and I was feeling pretty good, no doubt thanks to the wonderful nap I had yesterday. So I decided to take him to the Art Museum again. I wanted to go in the morning while he was still somewhat fresh, but we didn't get off until around 11. I didn't have high expectations, but I thought he might enjoy it a little. He enjoyed about 5 paintings, a sculpture of a duck, and a small pool and fountain in a room full of Cezanne, Van Gogh, and the south of France. But that's why I finally bought my membership today, so that we could enjoy the museum five paintings at a time. In the room with the small fountain, he sat on a bench for a long time looking the water.
Eventually, I put him on my back in the Beco and was free to linger over these beautiful tapestries in the modern art collection.
But a security guard came up to me and said that it's against museum policy to allow children in back carries. WHAT!? Even though I can understand a tiny bit (it's harder for parents to monitor wandering, tiny hands programmed to explore when little ones are on the back) I'm really annoyed. This will drastically alter how I pictured my museum experience for the next few months. Oh well. Five paintings at a time, five paintings at a time. Just have to really come to terms with that. Maybe I'll go back and look at the tapestries when he's in school.
The day was gorgeous, though, we really should have gone to the zoo. After I left in my Beco-rejected huff, we ate lunch outside on a park bench by the river next to some boat houses. The sun was warm and lots of bikers, joggers, and dogs passing by entertained Ellis much more than Cezanne did. We walked around the grounds, and he was elated by the waterfalls and ran around in the false spring euphoria with his arms outstretched like the seagulls.
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They wouldn't allow the baby carrier? I never would have survived AJ's babyhood without hauling him to the Art Institute of Chicago once or twice a week in either the Bjorn or the backpack. Thank goodness they never stopped me. Do they at least have strollers for you to borrow?
Posted by: Harriet | February 18, 2008 09:43 PM
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They don't allow BACK carries. I could carry my 30lb toddler on my front, but then maybe i couldn't. *growl* Maybe I'll see if I can figure out the hip carry.
I do have a stroller. We just hates it, though. And it is now a climbing device for E so basically useless. I do have a leash, but that doesn't contain quite as much.
Posted by: Jeannette | February 18, 2008 09:48 PM
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Well, you remember my nightmare at the High at the Chuck Close exhibit. I also spent a day with my two best friends to go see Andrew Wyeth a couple years back and I was going to wear Eden in my backpack. I had to walk back to the car and get my umbrella stoller. I think it has to do with not being able to "see" what's on your back. They explained this to me and said that a front carrier was fine, too bad Eden was like almost one and too big for the front. I kinda understand. I've taken down a rack of clothes at the thrift store with a bad move of the backpack. Kid was unscathed though. I hope you find a solution.
Posted by: katiek | February 19, 2008 09:06 AM
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yup - my big accident at the Air & Space Museum with Chris in the backpack. I cut a corner too close (due to the crowds), and whammed him into a wall. Oh the looks of utter distain, mistrust, and horror from all around me!
Posted by: Grammy | February 19, 2008 09:25 AM