New Orleans Bound

Week 20: The kids made their first trip to New Orleans this week! We decided to take the kids to the aquarium even though they are happy enough going to the "Fish Store" (also known as Bass Pro Shop, which they think is the aquarium). It is always so much fun to watch their faces as they experience new places and try new things! Of course, as soon as we made it to New Orleans, everyone was "starving". In the spirit of giving the kids a whole day of new experiences...we ate lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. They thought it was so funny...all of the signs, the pictures, the boat gear, and the ping pong paddles. I think they were most excited that their lunches came in paper shrimp boats! We were able to sit outside and enjoy the cooler Louisiana weather (I think it was about 80 degrees). John Bay loved playing with the license plates to get our waiter's attention!

After a walk down Decatur Street and then along the river, we arrived at the Aquarium of the Americas. We loved all of the exhibits, but I will try to touch on a few of our favorites...

I wish I could have gotten a picture of the kids walking through the tunnel where the fish were swimming around you...they couldn't stop long enough to pose for a picture! Maybe we can try again next time.

The Amazon experience:

Even more than looking at the animals and the anaconda....the kids loved running through the rain forest more than looking around. They climbed all over the rocks and around the waterfall.

My personal favorite was the penguins. It is like they knew what was going on...as you stepped up to watch the penguins they would look at you, dive in and then swim up to the glass to see you! They were coming up to visit MV...

Before arriving at the Aquarium, I was most excited about seeing the new parakeet exhibit, where you can walk in with feeding seats and the birds will land on you and eat from your hand. Before walking in MV let me know she was not interested in feeding them and after walking in, they both couldn't wait to get out...they both said that the birds made too much noise - it was just too loud, but it was amazing!

And then there were the touch pools - MV and Ed played with the stingrays! JB didn't like getting wet...
Then it was time for the sharks...

There was a 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit, where we saw sharks, red snapper, tuna, tarpon, sea turtles, sting rays and so much more! I think this was the most relaxing area - to just sit and watch...

It was a full, fun day...what goes better with that than beignets! While waiting for our beignets, the kids were treated with another experience and I don't mean the street performers in Jackson Square...the "Occupy Wall Street" protest passed by - I don't think the kids had a clue what was going on, except that they got to see policemen on horses!

After a long wait in line and even longer wait for our treats...

John Bay wanted nothing to do with the beignets - he was good with chocolate milk!

Mary Virginia on the other hand loved it all!

We all loved our day in New Orleans and we can't wait to take the kids back!