Discovering Science

I have always wanted to go to the Discovery Science Center, so today I dragged the kids there. It was really interesting. We got to lay on a bed of nails and went on a "treasure hunt." I had my height measured by sonar - and it was actually right. Tiffany made a composite face on a computer. Jordan made the little dipper with pretzels and marshmallows. Dillon played with puzzles. Ryan got bit by a bird. Again. (You would have thought he would have learned his lesson at the aquarium.) I loved how there were so many "hands on" things to do. I especially loved the fact that they had two areas where only babies were allowed - It was great because Dillon wanted out of the stroller so bad. I highly recommend the Science Center - Most of the exhibits are inside so it is great on a hot day.

Soak City

Today we went to Soak City. Jason's brother came with us, plus two of Tiffany's friends - There were ten of us! I was totally excited because I was able to float around the lazy river three times in a row... Jason usually only last a maximum of twice around and then he is so bored he has to get out. My nieces wanted to go around three times, so who was I to complain? This was also the first time that I went all the way into the wave pool. Normally I have Dillon with me so I can only venture in up to my knees, but this time, I was able to go into the deep end. I am now totally in love with the wave pool! I even broke rule number one in the Rachel handbook - I got my hair wet - which is something that I never, ever, ever do.

The food at Soak City is really expensive and really gross. So, this time, since there were so many of us, we packed an ice chest with drinks and food. Tiffany made ten sandwiches and we brought along some chips and pretzels. This was definitely a great way to go!

A Is For Aquarium

Our first adventure was the Aquarium of the Pacific. And what an exciting adventure we had. We started our day out with Ryan puking in the parking lot. Joy. We were just starting to explore the first section of the aquarium and had been there for maybe thirty minutes when the fire alarm went off and the whole place was evacuated. While we were waiting to be allowed back in, Ryan threw up in the ocean. Luckily, this was the last time he had "issues" and luckily, it was a false alarm so they let us back in. I gave the kids an alphabet photo scavenger hunt and told them to be creative with it - and they really were. They had to find something that either started with the letter or represented the letter. They took some awesome pictures!

We thoroughly explored the aquarium and decided that the lorakeets were the highlight. They were absolutely beautiful! They were an awesome shade of green. You could buy bird nectar and the birds would land on you to drink from the cup - at one point Jason had two birds on him. Ryan really liked the birds, but they didn't like him - he got bit by two of them! I guess that I should have prefaced this with they fact that they tell you not to pet or try to grab the birds. I asked Ryan why the first bird bit him and he says that he tried to pet the bird. Oh brother!

Dillon really liked the fish. He was pointing at everything! He also enjoyed the Lorakeets and from what we could tell, he wanted on to land on him, too. But, I didn't dare let him try! He didn't want to be cooped up in his stroller, so we had to carry him a lot - he really just wanted to be down crawling around. But he was a trooper and did pretty well considering that we were there for around three hours.

I really enjoyed the aquarium and highly recommend it. I would like to go back sometime (just maybe without five kids in tow) so that I could read more of the signs and stuff.

Dillon asking for more green beans - what a polite baby :)