Columbus Day Activities

{10/12/09}

Scripps Birch Aquarium

I joined Groupon a while back and some "half-off on adult admission" coupons for the Birch Aquarium popped right up within a few days.  I snagged four and on Columbus Day we seized the opportunity to use two of them to take the boys to see some fishies.  They had a blast racing through the serene tank settings, gaping and exclaiming at all the crazy, exotic fish.  The Chief took the lead and I followed behind . . . way behind.  I was enjoying testing my photography skills in an aquarium setting.  Let's just say in some cases, I was thrilled with the results, in others I was frustrated.  I spent so long at the sea horses that The Chief actually started to glare at me a little.  :D  Never did get a good shot of them.  I'm convinced it's the type of glass their tank is made from.  Here's a bit of a taste of the Scripps Birch Aquarium for your viewing pleasure.






{Buddha's fish . . . you know, it's orange.  :D}



{This guy was CRAZY!  He's called a Wolf Eel.  He looks like pure evil.}



{I love jellyfish.  Wish they didn't sting, though.}




{DORI!}








{Isn't this lady gorgeous?!  What you are actually seeing is the bottom half of her and then the reflection of the bottom half of her on the top.  Crazy, huh?!}



{Buddha couldn't understand my mirth and obsession over this guy.  I just love his teeny, tiny mouth and huge body.  It's so funny!  If fish could walk among us, they'd think we were crazy for trying to achieve one, supposedly-perfect body image.  I just know it.}





{While editing these pictures, Buddha asked me what kind of fish this is.  I decisively responded, "Tiger Fish."  He looked at me with a straight face and said, "Well I think it's a Lion Fish."  So, we looked it up.  And guess what?  He's right.  Doh.  So much for me teaching my kids anything.  :D}





{"My bubbles!"}



{Darn sea horses.  You're so dang cute, but . . . that glass!  Grrr.}




{My all-time favorite sea creatures to photograph are coral and coral dwellers.  They are just so BEAUTIFUL and mystical.}







This is the view from outside at the aquarium.





{They had these little machines that would run continuous water while you built dams and pathways for your little toy boats.  The boys were delighted with this apparatus.  They stayed here for a looooong time playing.}







{I hate sharks.  I am deathly afraid of them.}




{While editing this picture, Buddha randomly requested that I remove the "smile lines" from his face.  I was dumbfounded.  I guffawed then told him that he would probably look like an alien without them.  His response?  "Well I think they make me look like an old man!"  Oh dear.}





Mount Soledad

After the aquarium, we cruised over to Mount Soledad to check out the views from up there on a beautiful, blustery day.  Buddha and Bugga enjoyed playing on the stairs.  The Chief browsed the placards, then went to meditate . . . on a bench.  It's gorgeous up there.  I'm glad a federal judge ruled in favor of the cross staying right where it is.  It is a beautiful and fitting tribute to many a fallen US military hero.
















Halloween Craft

After Mount Soledad we hit up Michael's and purchased some Halloween crafts we could do together as a family.  The boys were STOKED to be able to get their art on with The Chief.  He doesn't get to participate in many of these endeavors.  :D  Here's what we ended up with:





{Buddha's skeleton}





{Bugga's Frankenstein}





{Daddy's Dracula}





{Mommy's witch}






{Check out the creepy, glowing eyes beneath the skeleton's feet!}

We also managed to discuss Christopher Columbus throughout the day, read the Book of Mormon scripture that prophesies of his inspired journey to the Americas (1 Nephi 13:12-13), and memorize the little ditty "In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."  Now I'll catch Buddha whispering it to himself every now and then, probably testing himself to see if he still remembers it all.  :D