Under the Sea...

We went to the N.C. Aquarium on Roanake Island last week.  The kids had a blast, and so did the adults. 

 John is all about alligators, so he was thrilled with the animal encounter for that day....Alligators! 

We had a presentation from one of the staff about crocidillians - alligators, crocodials and caimans.  I wasn't even aware of what a caiman was.  My boys however, were - they said it was on Wild Kratts.  I guess they are learning something while I fix dinner, huh?

We got an up close look at a 3 year old alligator.  Apparently, you can't take an up close picture of the animals or they freak out.  Not a problem, since I didn't really want to remember this trip as the reason I can now only count to 9, instead of 10.

All the kids had a chance to touch the alligators tail.  I was especially proud of Hannah.  She's not to keen on alligators, thanks to Dora and her crocodile river. 

Then it was on to the "touch" tanks.  We were able to touch stingrays, starfish & sea urchins. 

The shark tank just freaked me out.  I just kept watching the big shark circling the girls cleaning the tank and hearing - dada...dada...  

I think it was just a flashback from watching Jaws at the drive in with my mom.  In all fairness, she did think I was asleep.  I wouldn't take a bath by myself for months, and swimming that year - forget it!

 

The boys thought it was "awesome" and were excited that the "shark's cleaning ladies", as Josiah called them, waved to them.

Outside, they had a fossil dig where you could dig for sharks teeth.

  I have a suspicion that this is like the time I sent the boys into the garden

 to dig for pirate treasure. 

We all know how plentiful pirates were in West Virginia.

They gave it their best shot, but no teeth were to be found.

Not a bad day at all.

Charli 

 

Did you miss me?

What a great week!  We are now home safe & sound from our week in Nags Head.  I fully planned on blogging as the sun was rising over the Atlantic and making all of you insanly jealous, but there was no internet connection to be found.  Guess that's a good thing since my motives were not at all nice, huh? 
We visited the N.C. Aquarium and the Wright Brothers Memorial (more on that later this week).
For the most part with hung out at the house...

Gorgeous, right?  The owners lived on the other side, Ronnie spoke to them about their rentals and has decided that a ocean front rental might just be a great investment.  I give this idea an 7.5 on a scale of bees to 10.

We spent most of our time just playing on the beach.

This picture isn't the best, but it makes me laugh!

It was so nice not to have anything to do.  Just to take care of the moment at hand and enjoy each other.  No to do list, no school, no phones....ahh....

One last picture:

How can you not be totally crazy for a guy who doesn't mind being buried up to his waist in sand?

I do so love that man!