Josh's Visit - Days 1 and 2 (Dallas World Aquarium)

 I am on the road.  Joshua would like to come and spend a few days with Gammy and Grandpa and I'm happy to have him.  I'm driving halfway to Abilene to meet up with Jen.  Music is playing and I'm cruising along when I notice these HUGE planes crossing my path.  I'm not sure just which planes they are or which base they're from, but it's cool.  I get Josh retrieved and home we go.  He goes into the guest room and we never see him again today.  

26th -  Peeking through the door, it's 9:30 and we still haven't seen him.  He has moved occasionally, so I KNOW he's alive.  Fourteen hours after he disappeared --- he has risen.  Too funny.  Some explanation that he is on vacation and I'm not going to wake him for anything helps and he discovers that this time here will be whatever he wishes it to be.  I think we're on the same page now.

At this point, Grandpa is on a conference call and the  noise coming from the street is crazy loud.  A peek shows that it will continue for awhile.  He's REALLY happy.

I decide to get out of the house and feed the boy.  First stop is Cafe Brazil.

Then, one of the items on his list is the Dallas World Aquarium.  I haven't been in YEARS so am game to go along.  It's a fabulous facility and the fun begins before you even get through the doors.  For those who may expect tanks and tanks of fish --- think again.  The variety in here is incredible. How about a tree kangaroo?

Fair warning --- this will be a HEAVILY picture laden post.  Josh thinks it is so funny that this lovely creature turned his back on my camera and would not turn back around.

Much time is spent watching these birds --- check out those feet.

Hello Giant Anteater - 

The building is many stories high and has large open areas that span the entire space.  Isn't this beautiful?

Flora here is beautiful as well as the fauna.

Oooooh - I DO love tamarins.  The ears on this one look a little scary --- look at those feet.

Crocodiles below us - 

This bird has an awesome mohawk and a white-faced saki hangs around as well.

We have made our way lower down in the aquarium and are closer to the croc now.

A sloth!!!

Just hanging out - 

More tamarins --- wouldn't this be fun to have?

Gotta show some turtle/tortoise love.

A few reptiles also live here - 

Turtles and rays --- perfect fun.

Hello there -- 

More sloths - 

Ahhhh - waterfalls and a gorgeous scene.

Josh takes off like crazy and I can't even see why yet.  Ohhhh, it's a manatee.

It's the first time he actually says, "Take my picture."  So, I do and then a few more just because.

I like this one better.

And this one - 

Yep, we've moved into the actual aquarium area ---- so beautiful.

Do you see the shrimp?

He glows!!!

Peek-a-boo

Penguins - 

THIS is crab.  WOW.

Starfish beauties.

Bright fuchsia.  

Turns out that Nemo actually DOES live in an anemone.

We almost missed this guy - he was in the upper corner of the tank.

Sooooo BIG

Overhead - 

Into another area - 

Bats feasting on watermelon

Even flamingoes - this place is a haven for such variety.

The sawfish from above and with that --- we're out.  It was soooo much fun.

Next on the list is the Cidercade and we might as well tick another box while we are in the area.  

Oooooh, I beat my high score from the other day.

Unlike Hyrum, Josh moves around the room.

By the time we are done, Grandpa is off work and we click off another one of Josh's list.  Pho for dinner.  (just so ya know - Cafe Brazil was HUGE so we made it all day)

And, we're done for today.  Once we are home -- he's gone again and in the room.  Grandpa and I watch a movie and wonder if I did him in.  See ya tomorrow.