Caroline takes Mommy to the Aquarium
Posted By Kathleen David on April 22, 2006
In which our heroes go to the Atlantis Aquarium and Marine Rescue center in Riverhead Long Island.
I told Caroline that we were going to the aquarium to see fish and other animals. She became very excited and started to gather the things she wanted to take with her. I got our stuff ready when Caroline asked to talk to Grandma. I called my mother up and said, “Caroline wants to talk to you.” I put Caroline on the phone where she proceeds to tell her Grandma that she is going to the aquarium to see Nemo and other fish and baby animals. She then hands the phone back to me with a look of triumph on her face. She ran and got her shoes and sunglasses.
We got to the aquarium about 11 and found that we had just missed the Sea Lion show and the next one would be at 12:30. Caroline remembered being there before and ran for the tropical fish exhibit. We wandered around looking at the various tanks and fish. Caroline kept gravitating to the shark tank and watching all the fish in there.
They have opened a penguin exhibit and Caroline was quite happy to watch the penguins play. We sat on a bench and she told me stories about the penguins that she was watching.
While walking to the snow monkey exhibit I found the underground part of the sea lion tank. Caroline ran to the glass and sat down on the ledge as the sea lions raced around the tank. She and another little girl had giggle fits at how funny they thought the sea lions where. We sat there until about 10 minutes before the Sea Lion show. I asked Caroline if she wanted to see the sea lions play. She said, “OK” and grabbed my hand. She sat through the waiting period before the show very well and enjoyed the tricks of the sea lions during the show.
After the show we went to see a few other exhibits and then has lunch at the aquarium. After lunch she started slowing down so we walked next to the river back to the car and drive home. She stayed awake longer than I would have thought but took a good nap on the way home.
I am grateful that I got to spend such a wonderful time with Caroline.
It was so wonderful to hear that you and Caroline had a wonderful time seeing the beauty and wonder of the aquatic animals at the aquarium. With all that has been going on in the world today (politics, terror, and bad news aside), one has only to see the joy, and excitement in one’s child eyes to see that love is not gone, and that adventure, and learning is not only the child’s duty, but the parents as well.
I too have wonderful thoughts of going to the zoo, the park, and yes even the amusement parks in my youth with both of my parents, my grandparents, and even with my brother and sister. I always enjoy seeing new sights in not only the changes in the season, but in the sights that give us a reason for finding the beauty of life, of nature, and of finding one’s soul in a landscape of serenity.
Have a wonderful weekend, and may God bless you and your family….my heartfelt wishes to all of you on this small blue world.