Aquarium "Pirate Night"

So Thursday we decided to take the kids to the aquarium as we were having lots of smoke in the area from the wildfire in the next county over.  By the time the kids were up from nap, fed, and ready to go, it was after 3 and aquarium closes at 5, but we were going to make the drive anyway.  It was a beautiful drive down there (that is one thing I have to admit, NC has beautiful scenery).  As we approached the aquarium we realized we were in luck, Thursday evening was their special "pirate night" and they were open late.  Woohoo!  Grace was ready to go with her cracker (a new favorite for her).

We loaded the kids up in our semi (aka sit n stand stroller) just because we didn't know how much walking Gunner would have to do.  The fish structures on the way in caught Gunner's attention (good sign!).

So we headed inside, but not before Gunner took a climb up on the turtle's back.

Turns out "Pirate Night" includes a special hunt for hidden treasure chests within the exhibits (which was fun for Nate and I) and other little activites for the kids.  First stop was the eye patch table (we couldn't resist putting one on Grace, although it was short lived).

Gunner kept his on for awhile (surprisingly). :)  Here he is making a pirate's hook with daddy.  Gunner was honestly more interested in playing with the scissors, but it was cute nonetheless. 

Here's a sad attempt at a picture with the hook. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a popsicle stick inside the cup that you hold on to, and then the construction paper hook on the top.  Really cute idea, although Gunner had it taken apart about 30 seconds after we assembled it for him.  But it was the thought. 

Next came the pirate beard.  You got to pick your color and style (moustache, goatee, full beard, ect), but Nate and I got in on the fun by choosing for him. We restrained ourselves and didn't make Grace get any facial hair (although we both thought about it). :)



Gunner loved seeing all the fish (although pictures don't turn out very well next to the tanks).  They also had a little area outside where you can walk and see the water and little snake exhibit.  But by this point, Grace had had enough and took a nice little nap on daddy.

Gunner enjoyed the rest of the aquarium, including getting a fish tattoo (a video to coincide with that comes later in the post).  We were able to get some matching pictures of the two kids after Grace woke up from her little cat nap.

So with that we headed back home.  It was a very cute aquarium, but next time we don't need the semi.  We're spoiled by Disney and SeaWorld, this was definitely small enough for Gunner to manage walking.  But on the ride home we couldn't help but get a video of Gunner saying "fish". 

On the way home, it started downpouring!  So when we pulled into the driveway Nate headed in to turn off the alarm and get us an umbrella.  But it was just enough time for the kids to get comfy out of their seats and me to snap a really cute picture of the two of them. 

All in all it was a great trip.  Although I should add that we ended up leaving the aquarium at 5:15 so I guess we really would have been fine without the extra Pirate Night, although it did add to the fun and made for some really cute pictures. :)