Visiting Old Haunts

After Hubby and I were married, our first date as newlyweds was to go visit the Shedd Aquarium. Now, nearly ten years later, I finally made it back for a return visit.

This was another stop on our Summer Goals list and Townshend was very excited about going! Originally, we were going to go a week earlier, with Grandma and Grandpa, however, as we got looking at the admission tickets, we decided it was more than we wanted to spend just then and we went off to do other fun things. 

Serendipitously, the next week there was going to be a free-day (for Illinois residents), so Townshend, Moon and I determined we would go then, just the three of us. And we did!

As it was a free day, to avoid the major crowds, we planned to get to the aquarium as early as we could get ourselves there, and we even were pretty successful - 30mins after doors opened. On the sidewalks all around the building (and sprinkled around inside), there were these big ocean animal themed sculptures made from trash pulled from the ocean. They were really cool! We spent some time looking to see what items we could recognize (and talking about how it's always best to throw your trash in a garbage rather than leave it out in nature).

Since our tickets had been reserved online, we got to bypass the nasty waiting lines and skip right in! The downside was that I never did find a map of the place, so we did a lot of wandering. However, one of my goals this summer, in keeping with the idea of keeping it fun but not over scheduled, is to do more kid things at kid pace; letting them take the lead and not rush through at adult speeds. 

It's sometimes a challenge, 'cuz I get into my groove of trying to be productive. Still, there's a kind of magic in slowing down and seeing things at their speed and hearing things through their eyes. So, not having a map was almost better. (except when looking for bathrooms quick-fast.. but we survived.)

Plus, there's something incredibly soothing about the movement of water, and watching fish. And, really, it's just an impressive place worth pausing in and savoring. So, despite the crowds that grew and grew as the day drew on, it wasn't hard to find a view that was peaceful and lovely. 

Even in the crowded and crazy lunchroom, we found this awesome view and enjoyed our lunch together.

Down in the lower levels, there are some play areas that the boys really liked. However, we didn't stay too long after lunch because the crowds were really starting to roll in and, by that point, we'd all had about enough and back outside, into the beautiful day, we went. 

turns out that crazy statue of a man holding a fish is a fountain! (my 10yr old question is finally answered)

The Shedd Aquarium is on what is called the Museum Campus ('cuz the Field Museum, the Shedd and the Adler Planetarium are all right there) which is on this little peninsula sticking out into the Lake. Not only are there awesome museums, this peninsula also offers one of my favorite views of the city skyline. 

In the morning, as we were heading in, there was some impressive fog hovering over the city, but by the time we came back out, the fog had mostly burned away in the sun. So, we took a walk down on the path and enjoyed some fresh air and the beautiful day (and the first day after the recent heatwave broke).

Another fun day and another thing marked off our list! 

Returning to the Aquarium

So, way back when my Hubby and I were first married, we had our "First Date" at the Shedd Aquarium here in Chicago. Then, this past weekend we returned there (with my sister and her two little ones) for the first time since our "First Date".

As it happened, Saturday morning met us with an amazing downpour as we headed to the aquarium and there was a line of people waiting to get in! So, we got a little wet. Luckily, my sister found us a second line that was indoor, so we were able to dry off before we got to the fish.

We wandered a fair amount and saw a good deal of things.. but it was most amusing to see the difference between going to see fish with two adults and going to see fish with a 4 year old.

For the most part, we let the Nephew the Eldest decide what he wanted to see (the Nephew the Second is little enough that he was cool to just tag along), but the Nephew the Eldest found everything so fascinating that he would fixate on the first thing to catch his eye and we would hang out for a while.

After a bit, we would suggested seeing something else he would agree. Moving about this in manner, we saw a fair amount of the place and a smattering of the animals that they have there.

And, of course, we finished off the trip with a dolphin show. They demonstrated the techniques they use to train the dolphins (and a hawk). And they showed us some cool tricks. It was a great finale!

1st Dates

**Disclaimer** I'm still in the process of compiling all the wedding pictures that people are clamoring for, there will indeed be a WE GOT MARRIED!! post.... but in the meantime, for your reading pleasure:

Marriage is very much a new beginning; it brings all sorts of firsts. First home together, first Family Home Evening, first sit-down home cooked dinner...

Mmmmmm... Shepherds Pie

But at the same time it is an end. The end of wondering "will he like me??" No more wondering if he'll actually call, no more awkward first kisses... and we even thought we'd seen the end of first dates, but then we proved ourselves wrong :)

For our first date (after marriage) we took ourselves to the Shedd Aquarium. We've been meaning to go there for pretty much forever - It's been on the list of Desirable Dates since our relationship first began. Finally, we made it.

Our cute selves

This is the biggest snake I'd ever seen.. seriously..
this picture doesn't do it justice

Two fabulous fishes!!
(Though, I'm partial to the one on the right)

That crocodile never moved...
just sat there givin' us the laaaazzyy eeeeeeyeee

Pretty fish

Now there's a job that would be fun every day!

There were some seriously huge fish there

School time is the best time for LUNCH
Mmmmmm... crab legs...

This little guy had a boredom problem, I think. He just swam around in circles.. first down...

then upside down... and then again...
Made for some good pictures though!


After the aquatic exhibits came some lizards. Here is the one that I've been wanting to see for forever:

The Blue Iguana

It can grow more than 5 feet long and over 20lbs...
It's one of the most endangered lizard in the world. Sweet.

This guy is automatically awesome because he can change colors,
but also, chameleons can roll their eyes any way they wanna. Awesome!

By the seahorse habitat.
Behold ladies and gentleman, a pregnant male seahorse:

(They may have something there with that......)

Then, as we were leaving we saw what could very possibly qualify for a "Most Random Sculpture Ever" award. Seriously.. what??


But then all was at once made clear:
See? Very enlightening.