Tuesday, May 26, 2009

We NEVER do anything like this! MDW2009-Pt1

Last week Jordan and I took turns being sick...it was a long, cooped-up-in-the-house week! By the time Friday came along, we were all feeling better, and I was just dying to get out of the house. I realized that afternoon that it was a long weekend, and I started wondering if we could go somewhere close just for one night to get away. I started looking online, then called Jon to see what he thought about going to Chattanooga for a night to swim at the hotel and maybe go to the aquarium. He said, "Let's do it!"

I started to get so excited! We NEVER do anything like this...the only time we ever go on a trip is to see our parents. I was excited to do something just for our family. The kids were SO excited about going swimming. We didn't even say anything about the aquarium until Saturday morning. They loved eating breakfast at the hotel...notice I packed Lawson's shark jammies--especially for the occasion!!
We went downtown and went to the aquarium. Jon and I had been to a couple aquariums before we had kids, but this was their first time. I knew they were going to love it!!

At the waterfall by the otters. We went into the freshwater building first. Then we took a walk to Chili's for a late lunch then went back for the ocean building.
I feel like this stingray is flashing us!!! :)
I love this picture of Jordan because it just shows how interested, excited and amazed she is at the fish and sharks she's looking at!!
Lawson really wanted to touch a stingray SO badly!! He was so patient and waited and waited for one to swim close enough. Jon came and helped him, and he finally reacked down and touched one. He was so excited!
We all loved the butterfly room. We spent a lot of time in there trying to stand still and get a butterfly to land on us. Throughout the whole day Jon and I were amazed at how many of the animals the kids knew by their proper names--many of those are from watching Diego!! When we went into the butterfly room Lawson looked up and saw a Blue Morpho butterfly. Actually, there were hundreds flying around. A Blue Morpho is brown and looks like it has a big eye when its wings are closed.
There is a whole Diego episode about the Blue Morpho. The kids are fascinated by this butterfly--we've even looked it up on YouTube to watch videos of it. Right when we were getting ready to walk out, Jon saw one on the screen of the window. He got it on his finger and transferred it to Lawson's finger!
Then they transferred it to J's finger so she could have a turn too. I had been trying to get a picture of the bright blue of the inside of the wings the whole time we were in there...And while Jordan was holding it I got it:
This picture of Jordan makes me laugh. Even though it's a little bit fuzzy it shows just how goofy she was being!
After leaving the aquarium we let the kids play in the water outside a little more. Then we headed back to the hotel for some more swimming (because we decided to stay another night!!!)
What a fun Saturday we had!! I just LOVED watching the kids LOVE the aquarium. And even without naps they acted so great.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of the weekend. You won't believe what happened!

3 comments:

jenna said...

That is SO exciting!! And yay for Chatt-town!! You were right near my hometown over there! I am so glad you guys had such a great weekend! I can't wait to read your Part 2 Post!!!

Jamey said...

And people say you can't be spontaneous after you have kids!!! What a fun time!

Sunny said...

Loved your pictures! It looks like you all had a BLAST at the aquarium! Those are some fun and precious memories to treasure together as a family.