Aquarium annoyances

We visited the Florida Aquarium today. The kids had fun and I should've but I was pretty annoyed the whole day.

Annoyance #1: The last time I went to the aquarium it was a Friday (just like today) and between the two trips I have discovered that Fridays = School field trip day. So it was a "zoo"! There were kids everywhere that were loud and big and stepping in front and all over my kids. They were so loud, I found my self shouting to those who were with me to get their attention. I think I can deal better with crowds at places like the zoo or Disney World - outdoor places where you can manuever yourself around. Not at the aquarium, though. You're trapped. They start you all at the same place and herd you down a hallway through all the exhibits. You can't escape. I was soo looking forward to getting to the outside play area, which leads me to the next annoying thing.

A picture of Lilly before the crowd moved in on her.

Annoyance #2: The best part about the aquarium, the whole water play area, was closed for one week. I'll mention that the last time we went half of the water area was closed. So they played in the tiny, non-water play area.

I know I'm complaining about maybe insignificant things and they really are because Jackson and Lilly didn't notice a thing. They never realized they almost lost their lives in a stampede because they were to focused on the sea horses, sharks, trumpet fish, otters, eels and all the other amazing creatures. They were fine with the water area being closed because they got to play outside.

I know I need to be more like my children and focus on the positive, and I will. Maybe the crowd slowed us down to notice and spend more time at things we wouldn't have. Maybe my kids were saved from harmful sunburns had they played for a long time in the water (although, I did bring my sunscreen), you just never know. But you better believe the next time I go to the aquarium it will NOT be on a Friday and I will call to make sure the water area is opened.

And I will say after spending the day at the aquarium, it makes me so glad we have passes to the zoo!