The entrance to the museum is through a pond of lily pads and cattails. 

It has been FAR TOO LONG since I have written a blog. There are several reasons for this long dry spell: 1) My husband has been crazy at work and so when he is home, he likes a little down time and has had to study a lot lately, we just stick around the area and enjoy our neighborhood and neighbors. 2) Rainy season has sure put a "damper" on things. :) I here people say all the time, "Oh, don't let monsoon season get you down! Go enjoy the rain!"  I don't really like dingy city streets, much less warm, wet,  dingy city streets. Enjoying the rain on the outside is a silly romantic notion, much like marrying a man in uniform! ;) Well, the weather has finally cleared up a bit and Children's Grand Park has been on my to-do list since arriving in Korea. CGP is a massive park devoted to the children of Korea. It is free and houses a zoo, splash parks, playgrounds, animal rides, amusement rides and Seoul Children's Museum. This park could really take weeks to see everything and my friends and I chose to focus most of our time on the museum this visit. Emmalyn is increasingly more appreciative of days out and is a little sponge soaking up life, it might as well be fun!

It was quite literally a hike to get there: 12 subway stations and about 30 sets of stairs. We got our exercise!

Always fun to walk in a be greeted with a colossal line!

She really wasn't a big fan of the line.

And we are in!

Like any children's museum, the cater to learning with a hands-on approach. This museum focused on appealing to the senses. 

Fine motor skills practice. 

Emmalyn was begging for their snack. She didn't realize it was dried fish. I diverted her just in time. The lady was giving her a piece. I really have no problem with her eating that, but I knew it would have been wasted and I would have had to pick up dried fish off the floor. ;)

She was a good sport for mommy.

We learned about appropriate food for each animal. 

She loved the tree house. We got to play with some military gear. Could have done that at home ;)

Coloring like a big girl.

We might have to have the cheating conversation a bit early.

Exhibits at the museum included: ribbon dancing, puppet shows, rhythm room and many more. She was attempting to ribbon dance in this photo.  

They have the most wonderful modern design concepts.

We got stared at quite a bit. We of course speak like aliens.

Tent building.

Lunch with our buddies. Great friends, terrible lunch. X to Steff Hotdogs. 

Museum atmosphere was bubbly and upbeat.

After lunch we went to the toddler playroom.

About the cutest little place you could dream up.

Appealing to the sense of smell. Smelled straight up like apple juice!

Emmalyn and Bella.

We spent most of our time fighting Korean children for the trampoline. She may have made a few cry. ;(

Apple Chandelier. 

Water and science area for the older kids.

We took an hour to see some of the park. This wonderful (or disgusting) place is a collective watering hole for the kids of Seoul. I was rather off-put by the whole thing to be honest. It wasn't for me and was a bit too grimy and germy; however, the kiddos and families seemed to be having a wonderful time. I am pretty open to most things, but this gets a big fat 'X' on my list along with Steff Hotdogs. 

The beauty of an exhausted toddler.

We went home and the new playground was open! Had to drop in this picture to show how much energy this little gal has! Seven hours of straight playing wasn't enough for her!

Today we hopped in a van from the USO and headed to the Korean Folk Village with our friends. It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy being outside and observe how an old village during the Chosun Dynasty would likely operate.

Welcome to land of the thatched roof homes.

We were greeted by totem poles when we first walked in and  for a moment I thought I was somewhere in the Pacific Islands of the Americas.  

I am grinding something, possibly corn. It really felt like walking into an Asian-style, middle ages village. Only sans suits of armor and the plague. 

This home would be for a wealthier family, hence the "real" roof. They also built their homes with no nails showing. It was impossible to find them. 

Their furniture was actually quite remarkable for the time era.

A hut JUST for Kimchi. Saying they take their Kimchi seriously is an understatement. I would say life revolved around it back in the Chosun Village. 

This is the way they ironed back in the day. I don't iron, so I told Darren to make sure he got a photo!

No day would be complete without the traditional performers. These guys were amazing and LOUD . . . very loud.

Elijah wants to join in very badly. 

Birds-eye view.

As  long as she has her paci, anything will hold her attention. :( 

TERESA!! She and her family make these events so much more fun!

Acrobat! This guy was probably pushing 70. The fact that he could jump was impressive, much less on a rope.

Mooing at the cow. 

We found a rice paddy!

We brought her all the way to the Folk Village and she wanted to play in the sand. 

Elijah and Emmalyn appear to have gotten hitched. Here they are in tradtional Korean wedding garb.

Some spirit tree . . . weird, but cool photo.

Thankful for memorial day weekend, so we can do stuff with friends and daddy! 

Those ears are not made for my head, but here Darren and I are getting married. . . at least he looks happier than the first time. ;)

All those kids with cell phones. WOW. 

Old-fashioned dining area. They had some strange food selections. I ate a normal beef and vegetable meal, but Darren was a bit more adventuresome. . . 

Here Darren has spicy kimchi with sesame and ACORN JELLY! Yikes. 

Ahhh Tofu, my new love. Here it is being made. I prefer not to see my food being made, so I didn't eat tofu today.