WRITERS BLOCK

We took an impromptu trip yesterday with all 13 kids and the 4 of us adults. We headed to Philly from Ocean City, NJ. The heat got the better of us so we went with PLAN B.

The Aquarium, Camden, NJ. What an awesome decision! The kids ran from exibit to exibit, excited at every turn. There were some favorites for each of them. The Hippos were fun to watch as they wrestled, with their huge teeth and wide mouths. They were so playful that they drew alot of attention, but they also moved so effortlessly in the tank that it was unbelievable to imagine their massive size.

We saw Penguins that seemed zapped by the heat. They looked like statues, barely moving. The seals glided in their pool, belly up, effortlessly, without a care in the world.

The most intimidating to me was the huge crabs, their pinchers looking like they could kill a human with very little effort. I think sea life is awesome, but scarey too!!

We saw Sea Horses floating, and were able to pet several Stingrays!! That was a highlight for all the kids. Little Keegy was laughing so much everytime they floated past and he could touch their backs. The kids also spent alot of time touching SHARKS!! Some of the sharks were so curious they stuck their noses above water like a dolphin would! Macy, my 3 year old great niece, was intimidated by the moving creatures, so was shy at that point. My 3 year old grandson, Keegan, however, actually picked up a star fish! I think that frightened the worker there, and he had to put it down right away. For the grandsons, they are used to finding things on the beach, so this must have looked like an easy catch to Keegan, with the critters floating in a clear glass tank and someone telling them to touch the creatures!!

Of course, the final room lead us directly to the gift shop, so everyone had to pick out a treasure to remember the day. I tried to steer them away from candy and knickknacks, preferring them to get a stuffed toy or shirt. We were mostly successful, although no one choose the lavendar hippo. I guess I should have gotten one for me. It seems I was the only one who really loved that one!

We stopped at Subway for a fast dinner on the way home. 9 kids meals, 5 adult meals and one adult sustaining from fast food for the night. We ate on the way back to Scott's house, and were back at the campground by 9. It took about 45 minutes to get everyone slowed down and asleep, but eventually, everyone drifted into dreamland, most likely viewing all sorts of sea life in their minds.

I know I did. That's what memories are made of.