Monday, September 12, 2011

Cincinatti Trip


Last Friday evening, we drove through the night to Cincinatti for a quick day-cation with the Parrinos to celebrate "Papa's" 60th birthday.


There were some great views in Newport, Kentucky, where the Aquarium is located.


Though not as big as Chicago's Shed Aquarium or Chattanooga's Tennessee Aquarium, the Cincinatti Aquarium was just right for us, taking about two hours to complete. They were also quite kid friendly.


A ginormous puffer fish. He was like an overgrown football with fins and an unusual flowing tail. I wanted to take him home with me, under my arm.


Rockam enjoyed the views of several aquarium tunnels from the double stroller. Uncle Jack and Tia Cris were also with us for the weekend. They relieved me of Stroller Duty almost the entire time... cuz they're awesome :)


Stephen got nose-to-nose with a little puffer. I can't decide who is cuter.



Rockam managed to get some time out of the stroller too.


Ever since an aggressive Lorakeet gnawed on the webbing between my thumb and forefinger when I was trying to feed it at the Cleveland Zoo, I haven't been so fond of the colorful and cachophonious birds. But that didn't stop Papa from trying his hand at feeding them from a cup. No, I didn't ask all the strangers in the photo to smile. They all did it on their own.


He tried three times. Each time, the Lorakeet quickly snatched the cup out of his hand.


Until another Lorakeet came along and snatched the cup from him.


After the aquarium, we walked over to a seafood restaurant and had some awesome calamari (along with other food). Stephen LOVES calamari and requests it every time we go to a restaurant. Every restaurant. Sometimes it's tough to explain to a 3-year-old why Waffle House doesn't serve fried squid.


After enjoying Newport's quirky Levee district, we headed back to the hotel where Stephen went swimming with Papa and Uncle Jack. Once appetites were restored, we sang "Happy Birthday," slapped on our Spidee masks and feasted on cheese, fruit, pretzel rods, nuts and an enormous cheese cake. A pretty normal birthday celebration.


Spider women can shoot imaginary webs too.
Oddly enough, I think the one who looks most like a spider (Little Mr. StickyFingers)  isn't wearing a mask.

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