Last Day - Yes, ANOTHER Aquarium!

On Thursday, we got the kids to nap for a little bit, and once everyone was rested, Todd and I took them to Fisherman's Wharf to take in the sights and have a few treats. We started right off with some Cotton Candy!











Yeah, they didn't enjoy that at all! ;)

We wandered around, looked at some boats, enjoyed some street performers, and then we spotted it. The Aquarium of the Bay. And Todd was handed discount coupons. So we had to check it out. Yes, they had an octopus. Why not?



This is the one and only picture that has me in it, but you have to look closely! :P


In this aquarium, you start on the top floor and look around at some things, and then take an elevator down for more. The big hit upstairs was this crab.




Downstairs, you get to ride on a people mover, and go through a couple of tunnels, so there are fish all around, and you don't even have to walk! Genius, I tell you!! :D

The first tank has shallow water animals.


We thought this fish was dead at first, but then realized it's just really, really lazy. Or it's a rockfish... Who knows?


Hi!


Kiddos on the people mover:


Then you can step off and visit the octopus!

He was just a little guy, and didn't move around much.


Ooh, jellyfish!! Mama's happy!


Back onto the people mover, and into deeper water, and SHARKS! Ahhhh!




Happy kids sharing a hug! <3


Scary guys...




And a smiley face! ;)


We did the people mover thing a couple of times, and then took the elevator back upstairs, where we were shown into the hands-on exhibit!

Luken, reaching for, but not quite touching a small shark!


Funky starfish:


Touching the starfish:


Keeley's turn!




It's so cool how many different kinds of starfish there are!


Thoroughly satisfied by another aquarium visit, (and more gift shop fun ;) ), we decided to grab dinner of a San Francisco standard.... soup in a sourdough loaf bowl! There are a ton of little cart vendors around there, but it was getting chilly and fairly windy, so we sought out a place with indoor seating, and ended up at Boudin. Luken had a tomato soup, and Todd and I both had chili. Keeley just ate shredded parmesan cheese and bread. That's a pretty standard meal for her...

While we waited for our food, we worked on putting together the latest aquarium souvenir - a super-cool octopus puzzle!


Dinner was delicious...


Then it was back to the house, as we needed to get the kids to bed and pack our stuff up for the trip home.

Earlier in the week, Don and Carol had stopped at the store, at our request, to pick up some milk for the kids. They so very kindly also picked up a package of It's-Its, which is another local favorite. They aren't available anywhere but in the SF/Northern California area, but they are a nostalgic treat for both Todd and me, as we both grew up enjoying them! So, that was our dessert that evening, and I snapped a few goofy shots, of course!

The package:


After the first bite:


Luken's first taste (and last, as I wasn't sharing beyond that! The kids had already had dessert!)


Keeley's taste. I don't know why she looks so grossed out, as she definitely asked for more!


Well, that's it for the trip pictures! Had enough yet? ;)

The next day we hopped back on the plane and flew home. The kids were great again, which was a big relief! We were all sooooo happy to get home! No matter how wonderful a vacation is (and this one was fabulous) the best part is coming home. Sleeping in your own bed. Having all your own stuff around. Not living out of a suitcase.

The next best thing is jet lag, if it works out in your favor. Both kids have slept quite well since being home, and for the first few days, they even slept in!

Now life is back to normal, and I have been at the gym every day this week, trying to battle against all the food I ate on the trip, haha! Luken has been in swimming lessons this week, so stay tuned for a post and pics about that!

Hope you enjoyed the trip rundown and pictures even a fraction of the amount we enjoyed our trip!