Last weekend (or was it the weekend before last?), the Forrest family took us out to the Academy of Natural Sciences for the morning. The kids had a great time.

Ben is a *huge* fan of Josh Forrest, the second eldest of the Forrest children. Most of the time El Destructo babbles and screeches all his communications, but I've noticed that whenever Ben thinks something is really important, he enunciates his demands or comments much better than usual. For example, when we parked at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Ben said quite clearly, "Mom, there's Josh! Mom, that's Josh! Mom, that's Josh!" He also has been none to speak quite clearly the names of other kids on the block when he wants to go play with them. When he's hungry, he let's us know, "French fries."

At the top of the Academy of Natural Sciences is an interactive display where you can look more closely at animals. May really liked this part and got to pet a guinea pig, a snake, a tortoise, and a box turtle. She really wanted to pet the legless lizard, but I didn't ask the museum lady to get that one out.

May has also been obsessed, for the last few months, with an ancient grouchy cat who lives two doors down. Frida, the ancient cat, is missing most of her teeth and mostly just sits around on the couch or the radiator. May likes to pet Frida and swaddle her gently in blankets. All the attention May gives to Frida attracts the other kids who are not quite so gentle with Frida. Everytime I see the kids flinging that old, arthritic cat around the house, I become the "Frida-Avenger."

"Put Frida down!" I shout.