Found the Jellies!

If you've been ready the blog you know that Jack has become interested in ocean animals, especially jellyfish.  Over our April break we decided that we would take Jack to the New England Aquarium in Boston to find him some jellyfish.

We spent the night in Portsmouth, NH and walked around the picturesque town, and had some lunch before heading back to our hotel. There Jack really enjoyed the pool and hot tub.

Tuesday morning, we were up bright and early and caught a bus into Boston.  We arrived a little after nine, and discovered that the jellyfish exhibit which is also in the same area as the ray and shark touch tank, did not open until 9:30.  So we checked out the harbor seals and penguins while we waited.

However, Jack was really anxious to see the jellyfish, so we stood in line to wait to go inside the exhibit.

Think someone is excited?

  

The jelly exhibit is downstairs and you have to pass the touch tank.  We thought that Jack might like to do that first, he lasted about 2 minutes before he asked to go down and see the jellyfish.  Here is his reaction when he heads downstairs.

 

It was so quiet and relaxing down there.  I would of loved to find a bench and just curl up with a book.

We we had our fill of jellyfish we headed up to the touch tank where you could touch Cownose Rays and Bamboo Sharks.

When I asked Jack what he thought the rays felt like he replied that they felt like one of his stuffed animals.  They were really soft.

A few minutes later I received a text that my cousin (whom I haven't seen in over 2 years) had arrived with her kiddos to the aquarium.  It was SO good to see them and Jack loved playing tour guide to her kids in this area.

They were just as enamored with jellyfish as we were

 He loved sharing his knowledge about jellyfish to his cousins!

We did venture off this area to see the rest of the aquarium.  We visited the penguins again where we stumble upon two penguins um, getting their funky dance on, and of course Jack notices and yells out-"Look mommy, those two are on top of each other!  What are they doing?"  I think I mumbled something about them just playing and tried to avert his attention else where...

Also in the aquarium, is a gigantic cylinder shape tank found in the center of the aquarium with  a variety of sea life.  The kids followed this giant sea turtle up as we walked around the tank.

 After the aquarium we took advantage of the beautiful day and went to Faneuila Hall to watch some street performers. 

 

 Unfortunately we didn't get to stay long as Jack was exhausted from our long day.  But it was so great to see my cousins and spend the day with them.  Hope to see them all again soon!

We head back to catch our bus back to Portsmouth and Jack crashed about 10 minutes into our ride.  We had to carry him back to our car and he woke up long enough to have some dinner at a rest stop in Maine. Although it was long and exhausting trip we hope to return again soon.

Jack's final thoughts: