The potty payoff (finally)

Remember that one time when I didn't blog all summer? Needless to say there is a small amount of catching up about to take place...

A trip to the aquarium was Lt's reward for finally deciding to use the potty (three potty charts later). On his own (200 M&Ms later). On a regular basis (60 pairs of underwear later). Without the man breathing down his neck (one fancy watch, unlimited iPad use, a million dollars, and the entire inventory of Toys'R'Us later). What a stubborn child he is.

It was my first trip to this aquarium, and honestly I wasn't that impressed. I think once you've been to an aquarium on the coast, it's hard to be impressed with anything else. I guess it was all right. For Utah. Whatever. The kids, on the other hand, loved it, loved it, loved it.

Here we are looking at MORE trout. Or bass. Or something else they fished out of Utah Lake.

Here's Nono (aka the Boss) peeking into the river otters' habitat. What? The otters were asleep the whole time? Why yes, yes they were.

 

A cool, stripey eel (admittedly there were some pretty cool animals in the Ocean Explorer exhibit)

The penguins were cute - and fast! According to the boys (as interpreted from this picture), the penguins were distracted, forced to be there, and super strong.

Now it is Lt's turn to peek in and see the big brown furry mass of sleeping otters. Couldn't be happier!

You can't stay there forever, buddy.

Please wash your hands. Please wash your hands. Please wash your hands. (Did I say that out loud? 30 times??)

This caiman was the source of a 20-minute argument, er disagreement, between the boys and a brother/sister duo at the aquarium. The boys insisted that this was a caiman (D even pointed out the lovely sign that read "caiman") while the duo insisted that it was an alligator. In the end, nobody changed his/her position.

 

I spy two sharks!

I spy two more sharks!! (Probably spent more time in the gift shop than the actual aquarium...)