Inner Harbor, Baltimore Part 2

The main reason we went to Baltimore is to visit the National Aquarium.  I have always wanted to go, and we found a half price night after 5PM!  Hooray!

 

 It's amazing to go through the aquarium, as you can see the fish from above, below, on the sides, and just get all the perspectives.  Just the first room was incredible.  But I will admit, I was a bit distracted.

 They don't allow strollers.  Nope.  No strollers.  They will offer a carrier for you, and I knew it wouldn't fit Tommy, and I wanted him to help me with the bigger kids.  But, I wasn't prepared.  I would have packed differently.  And not had to carry so much.  Or even just have packed my own carrier.  Grr.  I was *this* close to putting it at the bottom of the stroller.  I knew I should have listened to my angel.  She got very heavy!

 I loved seeing Patrick and Emma touch the horseshoe crabs, sting rays, and even jelly fish!

 It says, "Please don't flash the octopus."  :)

 In order to see everything, most of the rooms are quite dark.  With my arms full, it was so tough to watch all the little guys and make sure they weren't running off!  Even with the light up shoes, it was stressful.

 We loved the dolphin show, and the all but Mommy sat in the splash zone.  And were disappointed that they didn't get wet. 

We had a wonderful time, and I am so glad we got to have a fun family outing.  We don't do big vacations as often, so a day like this is wonderful!

Inner Harbor, Baltimore Part 1

We were so happy to have Tommy take off on William's birthday so our family could have a bit of a "staycation" in our summer months.  We started our day with Mass and breakfast, then traveled to Baltimore, Maryland.  It was a beautiful day spent walking around the harbor, and just enjoying the sites, sounds and smells.

 

 We stopped at a Children's Museum called Port Discovery, which, in hindsight, we could have done without.  But, the kids seemed to love it, and they had a huge Lego display to enjoy, and mysteries to solve.

 It wasn't super stroller friendly, and I should have taken a smaller one, but Lucy still enjoyed herself, just being with everyone.  It's a really nice stroller, and since it is a double jogging stroller, all the kids (even the big ones) tried to get in it at one time or another.

I loved the dress up area.  It all was exactly like the Lego toys.

The Birthday boy enjoyed himself.  In the center of the 3 floors was a HUGE playground.  The kids immediately wanted to go on there as soon as we entered.  This Nervous Nelly had a heart attack every time they would get on and off at different levels!  There was one elevator, and it made it so difficult to be sure I could see them all.  My sweet husband was very patient, but I think I earned a few more gray hairs that day!

 Mommy and Daddy are usually behind the camera, so I love that the "selfie" ensures that we are seen in the photos.  Together, even!

I love all the ships, boats, submarines, and hear the old cannons being shot.

 This is the Taney, the last ship that survived Pearl Harbor.

 William wanted to wear the special pin.  Yet when everyone wished him a Happy Birthday, he didn't know what to do.  LOL

 The World Trade Center in Baltimore had pieces from the WTC in New York. 

 It said we will remember the ones from Maryland that died there.

 The day was absolutely perfect!  It helps to be by the water, and have a breeze to keep you cool.