It has been a very busy week...

Michael and I went to Syracuse for Michael's chemo treatment today and it went very well. I have to admit - after our fantastic news yesterday, it was a different feeling going today. I felt like chemo was a positive thing that is helping us and not just this process that makes Michael feel so terrible. In fact - the last 24 hours are the first time in a year that I've felt that we were beating this thing. And it feels great.

Yesterday, after leaving Dr. Korones we went back to the hotel for one last swim and then we headed to the Strong National Play Museum. We thought this was going to be a small museum that we would spend an hour or so at and then head for home. Boy were we wrong! We stayed all afternoon and didn't see and do half the things there. So, sit back and relax and I will share with you some of the fun that we had.


First, we checked out the Discovery Garden just outside the front entrance.


When you enter the museum, there is a large atrium in which they have relocated an authentic 50's diner in front of a life size facade of a city building. (We grabbed a hot dog in here and it was really fun.)

Next to the diner is an antique carousel.

As you make your way through the museum, the next thing you come across is a replica of the Sesame Street sound stage. It was really neat - did you notice Big Bird and Oscar's garbage can?

Moving right along - we came upon an area dedicated to toy trains including a hands on train table.

And a train you could ride.

The most memorable part of the day for Michael was when a butterfly in the butterfly house (which was one of the most incredible things I have ever experienced) landed on his hand and"tasted" him.

Then Michael got to sit in the cockpit and pilot a helicopter.

This was part of an old Victorian house completely set up. Behind Michael - to the right is a child size table and chairs set up for a tea party and to the left is a parlor complete with a small library and velvet chairs where you can take a break and read a book with your child (there were a lot of reading nooks and shelves full of books throughout the museum).

Here is the house's kitchen. (Remember everything here is touchable and hands on.)

This area is dedicated to nursery rhymes, fairy tales and everything make believe.

There were lots of little stages and play costumes where make believe is encouraged - and our little boy can be King for a day.

This is a giant giant that you could control his arm and head movements with some levers at his feet. (And you can get a good idea of just how big the giant is.)

I guess Michael wasn't meant to be the next King of England!!

There was a huge pirate ship that you could climb and play on and at the base there was a "beach" of fake sand. Michael spent quite a bit of time playing in here.

The last part we visited was the Bernstein Bears.

Michael spent a long time playing in Papa Bear's workshop. There was also a quilt shop, a farm, a restaurant and much more. The kids around Michael's age seem to enjoy this part the most.

Well - I hope you enjoyed our little adventure. As I said, we didn't get through a lot of the museum and I can't wait to go back and see the rest. Please keep Michael in your thoughts and prayers, JoAnne