The "ifshh" Trip

Saturday, we took a side trip to the Georgia Aquarium

I bought us tickets for the first time slot

available-9 a.m.
(We were in Atlanta for a bridal shower for Emily.)

I had a hard time trying to keep up with Steve!
Sophia was waving "hi" at the fish as they swam overhead!
I think she watched every fish...
or at least pointed at every fish!

The observation tunnel was amazing.
Although she doesn't have distinct words,
Sophia can express her feelings vocally...
and loudly!

Sharks!
It was creepy how they were circling...
Sophia could have cared less if we were there.
She was running ahead to see the next thing.

Fourth from the left,
Soso and Steve watch the whale shark
cruise by in front of them!
Huge fish.

They had a "petting zoo" of sorts.
In this tank, rays and sharks.
Sophia was loving it.

Not to worry, Steve didn't let her pet a shark...
but she almost swam with the rays!
Here she's getting a good feel.
The aquarium worker at the end of the tank kept saying,
"Two fingers to pet please"
Soso was using an entire hand...or two.

The same size as adult fingers?

I think she wanted to grab one and take it home!

Dumb rays kept coming by...
you think the first one would have learned,
and shared the info!

Here she is trying to reach starfish,
sea urchins, and horseshoe crabs.
The water was too deep.
She's already seen all of these in the wild.

This sea turtle was pretty cool.
It swam right up to the window,
and towards Soso.
He bumped the window and she jumped!

Checking out the lion fish...
very pretty!

Next was the penguins!

Sophia ran up to the glass of the jellyfish,
sat down and watched them!
I think she wanted to touch them.

She was telling Steve about them.

In one of the displays, a diver was cleaning
the inside glass of the tank.

She walked up to the glass...

he looked up and waved at her.

She BACKED up with big eyes quickly.
Sophia was not liking him...at all.
Poor diver guy tried hard waving,

but no luck.
She was clinging to Daddy!

The look on her face was hysterical...
half accusation, half inquisition!

"What are you doing in there! And WHY!"

We left that area, went back saw the feeding of the whale sharks.

That was an amazing sight to see!

But after that it was time to leave,

Sophia was getting tired.

It was "princess day" and the aquarium

was getting very crowded.

(Every girl, for the most part, was wearing

princess gear and garb. I so dropped the ball

on that one!!)

Sophia was having a good time princess watching too.

Walking around we worked up an appetite!
An Atlanta landmark, The Varsity,
is the best greasy hamburger place ever!
We had hot dogs with fries and onion rings.

Sophia was digging the fries!

Great start to the day!