Fieldtrip

(Kids petting the sting rays)

Back in March when we were doing our classification unit, we promised the kids that we would make a special trip to the aquarium for our field trip on fish. We found out that the aquarium was adding a new penguin exhibit at the end of March so we thought it best to put off our visit until after the penguins arrived. This weekend we finally made it up there and as we drove into the packed parking lot, my heart sank. There was a line to get into the building clear down the sidewalk. At that point Dennis asked the kids if they wanted to see a movie instead, but they all agreed they wanted to go into the aquarium. By the time we found a parking spot the line was considerably shorter which was encouraging. So we dealt with a huge crowd of people there on this beautiful weekend, didn't loose any of the kids, and saw the marine animals and fish.

Favorites:
Jacob - the piranhas
Isaac - tough choice between the anaconda, cayman, the penguins and petting the sting rays.
Afton - the penguins
Khora - penguins jumping on the rocks
Dad - the sea horses
Mom - coral reef fish, of course the fish who swam with their eyes up out of the water were cool too!

Good news, the aquarium still isn't too big so it didn't take more than a couple hours to walk through everything even with the crowds. Bad news, it was a couple hours on my feet and I'm paying for it now. It's still way over priced in my opinion, as much as a zoo ticket, but we had a discount card which made me feel a little better.

(Dinner at the Mayan)

Dennis thought it would be fun, after seeing the new South American exhibit at the aquarium, that we should go to the Mayan Restaurant for dinner. It was a hit! The kids loved it!!! We had an amazing spot to watch the divers which everyone loved. The kids kept saying that it was like eating in the jungle and not a building. Afton mentioned that this would be a great place to go on a date. Isaac said when he's married and has kids he's going to take them there. Jacob was fascinated with the lighting which he kept pointing out to us as it changed.

It was a long but fun afternoon together! Now it's time for bed!