Shuttlecocks, Thinkers, and other Pieces of Art

Today, we ventured to the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City.  We heard about the Egyptian exhibition and decided to seek it out so we could dispel the myths B had concerning mummies.  Today, B learned that mummies don't have laser eyes, aren't wrapped in toilet paper and don't come to life.  He learned about the burial practices of the Ancient Egyptians.  Their careful removal of internal organs (including the brain - "eew!"), preserving the body with salt and finally, carefully (and tightly), wrapping the salt preserved body in linen.  All this learning was done as I read a plaque beside a 4,000 + year old mummy (it never did come to life, much to B's disappointment).  Now you know what drew us to the place ...

I would have loved to photograph the things we saw inside the museum, but I've never felt comfortable exposing fine art to the harsh light from a camera flash ... So, what we've got are images from the sculpture garden ... Shuttlecocks:

And, to B's excitement:  Rodin's "The Thinker."  (Thank you Night at the Museum for making fine art memorable.  I love movies like that!)

I wanted them to pose like the statue, but, more than anything, I think they look like they're punching themselves in the chin.  Ha!

Seeing an original painting by Monet gave me goosebumps.  Another compelling exhibition (the Mister's favorite) was seeing the original rules of basketball.  The ORIGINAL RULES!!  How cool is that?!  Did you know that basketball was created by a gym teacher to thwart boredom?  He decided to introduce his new game to his students, but before he did so, he thought it would be a good idea for them to have rules.  So he made up 13 rules and typed it out - that's what we were able to see and read today.  Read more about James Naismith HERE.  The kids had a great time learning - we were prepared to leave at a moments notice, but they surprised us with their interest and good behavior (we're so grateful we can take our kids to places such as these).  Of course, moments like the following are bound to take place (thank goodness, otherwise, how stuffy would the place be?!):  

Insert generic nude marble sculpture, HERE.

B-Man, snicker, snicker:  "Look Mom!  A butt!"

Little Miss:  "Look Mom!  She's like you!"

B-Man and Little Miss:  "They're not wearing any pants!"

Oh yeah, there was also the discussion we had that went something along the lines of ... Please, don't touch anything because if something broke because you touched it, Mom and Dad can't afford to replace it.  There was also the time we presented a new rule to B:  "Do NOT make an airplane with your program!"  Other than that, we spent many hours learning about art and enjoying our time together.

On a serious note, at lunchtime, when we asked our kids what they liked ... B said he really liked a painting of Mt. Vesuvius erupting.  Little Miss liked looking at the books.  

We could have spent more time wandering through the exhibitions because our kids were having so much fun.  $5.00 for parking and free admission means we'll be returning so we could dive even deeper into what this museum has to offer.  

Maybe by then, I'll have the courage to do as other patrons around me.  That is, take pictures of the inside.  For now, another photograph beside a shuttlecock is what we've got to offer ...