Reindeer Games

So, my Nutcracker Ballet date Saturday night with Mr. FMO was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Snow + rain + freezing temps + windy road = no bueno y no Tchaikovsky. We postponed our plans to the performance later this month.

Sunday, MAO took FMO to the Sensory Friendly showing of "Frozen" to support our little local theater doing a nice thing for the community... except it was on Saturday. Doh! Well, FMO got to see it either way and we were supporting them in our thoughts and actions, even if I botched it and sent them a day late, by accident.

Monday, we bundled everyone up and braved the early morning frigidity to go to San Francisco's CA Academy of Sciences "Homeschool Day." Those who are cheap like me, can appreciate that this annual event is offered at reduced charge of $7/person and worth the trek. I thought the facility was very good, though a tad over-hyped. They advertised live caribou, and I told FMO the night before we were going to go to the museum and see caribou, which he knows about from a favorite animal video.

All the (two and half hours) way there,"Caribou?"

"Yes. We're going to see the caribou."
"Caribou?"
"Soon."
"Caribou?"
"Yes, Caribou!"
"Caribou?"
(sigh)
"Caribou...?"

So, it was a bit of a letdown when we saw two domesticated reindeer in a small fenced enclosure that more than slightly resembled a Christmas tree lot, minus the firs and spruces. Even though he visited them multiple times throughout the day, FMO was obviously underwhelmed by Donner and Blitzen. "Caribou?"

Fantasy

Reality

We enjoyed walking through the indoor rainforest and the Steinhardt Aquarium. We saw majestic stuffed African beasts and a live penguin exhibit. The day's highlight was MAO and FMO got to watch a show about earthquakes in the planetarium dome theater. No babies allowed. I was so jealous! MAO said FMO loved it. Overall I thought it was well-worth the drive and counts as a full day of homeschool Science (FTW!)