Freedom...

Today we had the van while Daddy was at work....how nice to feel free again, if even for a short time. Course the Hawaiian Princess didn't exactly appreciate it--my little screamer. So instead of going to Portsmouth to the Children's Museum, we went to the Living Musuem--and the little one screamed the whole way there (hence why I exited and didn't continue onto Portsmouth--can you imagine a toddler screaming in an enclosed mini-van while under the James River?)

There were several bus loads of kids there--2nd graders (I asked cuz the Racing Princess was about the same size as most of them). So we went to the current traveling exhibit (Animal Secrets) first til the school kids dispersed a bit. The school groups aren't allowed to go to the traveling exhibits--guess they need something to have the kids come back with paying parents :) We didn't mind--we love this exhibit--the girls both have their favorite areas. After the school kids spread out a bit, we went to enjoy the rest of the joint. The girls LOVE the touch tank. The Hawaiian Princess just likes to splash the water (which I don't think the volunteers appreciate). Today we touched a horseshoe crab, a sea star (I guess that is the new politically correct name for a starfish as the volunteer explained to us that they are not actually fish), and the shell of a hermit crab.

We also like to visit the albino catfish (he really stands out!!) which is in the same tank as a bunch of turtles (Mommy's favorite). We didn't go outside today to visit the beavers, otters and birds cuz the Hawaiian Princess was perfecting her hissy fit. Thankfully, she captured the attention of an elderly gentleman volunteer and straightened up her act (smiled, blew kisses, waved). So after maxing out the Hawaiian Princess' patience, we went back to the hotel for a much needed nap (we had to wake her up earlier than she had been getting up to get Daddy to work on time).