fishes and swimming. (Not swimming with the fishes, though.)

It was a busy Saturday here!  But, for us - that is typical.  We are still in the cram-all-the-memories-you-can-into-weekends phase of our lives.

We started the day out going to the aquarium because I read about an art festival going on there.  I thought it would be much more publicized - one aquarium worker had no idea what I was talking about - luckily, another said, "Those are upstairs in the classrooms" - or at least out in the middle of the aquarium.  So, we watched the diver in the tank because that is always cool even though, by know, I could give that underwater talk and probably answer most of the questions people ask about the tank.  It is still cool to watch a man in a wet suit, inside 250,000 gallons of water being held back by 8" thick glass answer questions while surrounded by sharks and other fish.  By the way, it is not ocean water.  They added sodium to the tap water when preparing the tank.  Real ocean water would have had too many impurities and be too dirty.

Anyway.... the arts festival events included some coloring, some playing with clay (I convinced them to leave their critters there to be recycled), wax painting of necklaces (Carl didn't want any part of that... until he saw the choices.  Then, he did 2.) and a puppet show that Gretchen got to perform with the lady.  The 3 Little Squids.  So, in case you need to know this... do not build a house of seaweed or sand because the Big Bad Manta Ray will knock it down for sure.  Live in coral - the hardest substance in the natural world.

We took a family photo when we entered.  Oh - they have a new bald eagle on display now.  He lives in the area that used to house the white alligator.  They moved Luna, the alligator into a tank with 3 green gators and all are living happily ever after!   So, this eagle lives in the area that you can see in the reflection of this picture.  You see a guy standing along a fence.  The eagle was hit by a car, rescued and survived, but had to have most of one wing amputated.  So, he cannot fly at all.  That's why he won't leave him enclosure.  Plus, this is a wonderful way for us to see an eagle up close and for this injured eagle to have a good life!

Gretchen making a clay turtle.

 Carl coloring....

 Of course, their favorite part of the aquarium is the playground after you exit.

 I should do a post of Frog Statue pictures throughout the years.  We try to take one every time we go.

Then, we had lunch and got ourselves ready to head to the water park's opening day.  It was such a nice day out... "wall to wall sunshine".  The crowd was very small and we were there until closing, so it dwindled as the time went on.

 Hair still dry....

 Carl is under water more than he is on top of it.

They grabbed a double tube for the next run....

 She had the lazy river almost all to herself.  (Carl wasn't that far behind)

  Here he is... upside  down again.

 He loves the wave pool, too!!

 So, last year, Carl didn't like this slide.  Gretchen did it alone her first trip today.

 Where's Lew?

 Then, Carl decided to try it.

both at the top....

 and he loved it!!!

 Next run!!

 She usually left the top first, so got to the bottom first.

 But, every time, he passed her in distance.

 Still loving it!!!

 Finally, she got tired of climbing up all those stairs and she headed back to the lazy river.  Carl continued to climb and slide until it was time to go home.  They lost count at 18 trips.

 Here is Gretchen in the wave pool - all alone!

 Right beofre carl finished sliding, she headed to the 8 and Under section to play.

 When Carl joined her, the lifeguard told him he was too old.  Nope, he really is only 8.  I do not think they will spend much time there this summer, but they can if they want to.  Last summer they will be eligible for that area!

We can't wait to go back!!!  We have season passes - so we will be back. A lot!!!!!
I brought the camera today because I knew it was too cold for adults.  I got a bunch of great shots, so I won't have to bring it again.