Buzzin' Cousins in Chapel Hill

After Easter, the Kang-Weyants packed up and flew to Chez Kang in Chapel Hill for a few days. The Buzzin' Cousins were so excited to see one another, they ran squealing across the baggage claim area and embraced like reunited lovers. Luckily, our flight arrived on time and Kate and Emma spent some quality time after dinner playing with all of Emma's toys. We spent our first full day at the incredible Museum of Life & Sciences, a multi-acre, indoor-outdoor wonderland that is a zoo, natural history museum, science museum, children's museum, and park all rolled into one. Emma's amazing handiwork. She's always had a knack for construction and design. Kate banging it out. Emil Samcheon showing Kate the water pump at the top of the hill. Moo. We took a fun train ride around the park that included a zip through a dark tunnel. The conductor had instructed everyone to scream at the top of their lungs as we passed through, and since the tunnel is made of metal, the screams were amplified to horror-film levels. Kate wasn't so sure she loved that part.

Inside the Butterfly Pavillion.

Kate, Emma, and a bunch of kids looking at the different chrysalises. Emma and Kate tried to get a butterfly to hop onto their finger.

Chris nearly being crushed by a giant leaf.

Kate, Chris, and Lisa-Sookmo trying out the "Seed Tower" where they launched a model of a giant seed pod and watched the aerodynamics at work. Apparently, the longer a seed stays in the air, the further the wind can carry it from the parent plant and the better chance it has of surviving.

If this also applies to people, then I should have a high chance for survival living all the way out in LA.

Kate waited for her seed pod to float down so she could catch it.

Kate and the Kangs at the Sailboat Pond where Emma captained the blue boat.

Kate was more interested in posing than sailing.

Kate and Emma looking at the images of kids dancing in the Soundspace. Cameras in the dance room send the images to computers that determine how much motion is in the space. The motion then generates sound!

A video of Emma and Kate using some creative moves to create sound:

After a full day at the museum, Emil (who was suffering from a sinus infection, poor guy) and Chris headed home to rest up before their "Coffee Talk" at UNC's campus bookstore. Meanwhile, the ladies went to Emma's piano lesson -- on a farm! Kate and Emma fed Elvis and Finley carrots before Emma's lesson.

While Emma tickled the ivories, Kate and Sookmo visited the chicken coop where they discovered torn chicken wire, some feathers, but no chickens. Kate assumed that the chickens had escaped. Emma's piano teacher later explained to me and Lisa that a fox had gotten to them at night....very sad.

Emma earned a glowing review from her teacher and then we headed to campus to hear Emil and Chris enlighten and frighten a few students about venturing a career in the arts.

The flyer. I like Chris' "headshot."

Chris and Emil with their captivated audience.

Their not-so-captivated daughters.

Chris talked about the realities of being a working artist, while Emil discussed the management side of the industry. It was an insightful, honest, and inspiring talk by two incredibly charming dudes...with free coffee! Those students don't even know how lucky they are.

After inhaling a yummy dinner of pulled pork, hush puppies, chicken dumplings, and deep-fried pickles, the girls topped off a very exciting day with a bubble bath. What more could you ask for?