The New Orlean's Aquarium

On Saturday morning, CK headed to his conference and we decided to go to Cafe Du Monde again (ok, I guess I was the only one who really wanted to go....). After we ate and I enjoyed their wonderful coffee, we got back on the trolley and headed to the Aquarium which I'd heard was great. Of course, we did this after we crossed the street and pet all the mules first. Sofia wanted to take another carriage ride but I told her one ride per visit was enough!

The aquarium was really fantastic and well worth the visit. We had fun exploring the rain forest room, watching the otters eat, learning about sea horses, and of course the sharks! Sofia was able to pet and feed a sting ray, which I think may have been the highlight over the sharks. The sting rays feel so amazing and their petting tank was really cool. After we'd visited every section we headed to the gift shop where I told Sofia she could pick out one thing....she decided on a bag of blue gummy sharks. I also got her a fossilized shark's tooth since she's so enamored with them. Now, most kids would gobble down their new gummy sharks, but not Sofia. Instead, she took three of them out and played with them.

According to Sofia, they are "White Western" sharks and are very friendly, can leap out of the air as high as an airplane and help people who need to be rescued. Needless to say, the "White Westerns" went everywhere with us from then on. As did the shark's tooth which was a great surprise to her.

Before we left the aquarium we bought two umbrellas since it was raining outside and we were unprepared. Once we started back for the hotel the rain picked up and so I decided to stick both girls into the stroller and walk as quickly as I could. Sofia sat in the stroller, holding Olivia on her lap and the small umbrella over them both. It worked pretty well and we got a lot of smiles from those we passed. Once we arrived at the hotel, the girls were dry but I was wet!

That afternoon CK got out of his conference so we headed to Cafe Du Monde so he could enjoy beignets and coffee. It was pretty empty which was great! After, we walked over to pet the mules and decided to take a carriage ride at night and be dropped off at our hotel! It was so fun! Such a beautiful city at night and it was fun to explore a bit with CK. After we were dropped off, we headed inside and met with CK's friend and former colleague and his wife to catch up for a bit. I ended up leaving shortly after to put two tired gals to bed.

Sofia's favorite - shark's teeth!

Inside the rain forest room

Someone can't pass up a face painting!

Sofia and her new shark.

Sofia asked me to take a picture of her and Olivia with the whale shark in the background

Sofia and Olivia

Entering the seahorse area

Watching the otter pick out shrimp from a frozen disk

The large aquarium

Sharks!

Sofia feeds the sting rays!

Visiting the outdoor parakeet feeding area

Starting off on our private carriage ride!