Mini Vacay

As most of you know if you live in New England, you tend to start to feel a bit cooped up during the winter months.  Knowing that winter was about to be upon us, in early November, we decided to nip it in the bud early and head to CT. for a one night mini-vacation with the kids. 

We left on Saturday morning and headed down to Mystic, CT. to go to the aquarium.  We had never been before, so it was something new for all of us to experience.   We started outside and saw the 3 Beluga Whales and the Penguins. 

And, of course, couldn't go by the boats without driving them.  Granted, the kids never quite knew which boat was theirs, but they got to turn the steering wheel, which is all that mattered.

 

This was right around world series time and we happened to be there on the official "Red Sox Day," so they had Wally (the mascot of the Red Sox for all of you non New-Englanders or non Baseball fans, which is approx. 3 out of the 4 people who read this) there to take pictures with everyone.  Considering it a) cost $10 and b) had a line of 40-50 ppl long, we settled for a picture with....the elephant!  Seems logical at an aquarium...

 

Shortly after that, we went to see the sea lion show.  And, then, instead of settling for the nasty food at the park, we ventured out and found a great little restaurant to have lunch.  After lunch, we headed back and went to the 4D movie of Planet Earth.  I had never been to a 4D movie - who knew that when elephants stomp?  Your seat moves.  A dolphin dives into water?  Bubbles come out of the sky.  It snows or rains in the movie?  It snows in the theatre.  Apparently, my sister has informed me that this is what makes it 4D vs. 3D.  Makes sense.

After the movie, we headed over to the touching pool where we got to touch sting rays.  I'm not sure we ever actually had one swim close enough for us to touch it.  However, we did get to witness some crazy lady scream across the pool (in the middle of the presentation on sting rays) at a poor little Asian woman who she thought was apparently allowing her son to get too close to the water unattended.  It was awkward.  To say the least.  But, helped to make up for the lack of excitement from not touching a sting ray.

After the sting rays, we went over to the Titanic Exhibit where I was forced to answer all sorts of fun questions like, "Mom, how many people died?" "How did they die? Did they freeze or drown?"  Not to worry - we got distracted with something else quickly....

 

At that point, we had done everything there was to do at the aquarium, so we headed to our hotel to swim!  It was perfect.  I got myself a pumpkin latte from Starbucks and met the kids and Josh at the pool where I proceeded to sit in the hot tub and enjoy my coffee.  I did get into the pool to swim with them, but man - those 10 mins in the hot tub?  Priceless.  I mean, whoever said that you can't relax on a trip with kids?  That night, we all went to dinner at a fancy restaurant, which was very nice.  And, then off to the hotel to sleep.  All of us.  In the same room.  ie., 8 PM bedtime for all. 

 

The next morning, we had a greasy breakfast and then headed back home. 

 

We were home by 10 AM that morning, which was great.  It was a perfect getaway that still allowed for us to have one day at home to get organized before the school week started.  Definitely a trip everyone will remember, I'm sure...