SEAlebration

Yesterday evening we went to SEAlebration, the annual members only after hours event at the Aquarium. Even though we have been members for a couple years now this was our first time attending SEAlebration. It was raining off and on as we walked to the streetcar stop just a few blocks from our house, then after we realized we didn't have the right change to ride the streetcar, Scott braved the rain once more to get some at a nearby shop. When the streetcar finally arrived it was pouring, we enjoyed our ride and by the time we arrived at the Aquarium the rain had already let up quite a bit but we still had to dodge a few puddles as we walked up the steps.
These members appreciation events are great (they have one at the Zoo too), they pull out all the stops. There were two bands one outside and one in, there were three divers in one of the tanks one of the guys stopped by where we were and waved at Chance while he was feeding the fish inside the tank. They open the doors and let you see behind the scenes how the tanks work and where they prepare food for the animals, We were able to listen as they had a training session for the Otters and we were able to pet Stingrays and a baby Nurse Shark all on top of the regular exhibits they always have at the Aquarium. We all had a lot of fun. It seems as though every time we visit the Aquarium it is a new experience for Chance, with all the words he has now and the way he picks them up so fast at this visit he was actually naming the different fish and learning so many new names like Stingray which he said for the first time and then identified other ones in different tanks as we went through the Aquarium. As we exited we noticed more tables along the walkway so we went over to investigate and found more animals. We were able to pet a Ferret, a Lizard, a Beetle, a millipede and the biggest Cockroach in the world. Chance was very interested and brave, he touched every single one he even wanted to touch the more dangerous ones that weren't allowed to come out of their cages. As we continued walking we saw three bounce houses, it had stopped raining at this point but everything was wet however you don't get the opportunity to bounce in a bounce house everyday and you're only little once (blah,blah,blah) so we let him get in anyway. He bounced for a while int he first one and then he moved on to the bounce slides, he had to work hard to get up the stairs but once he did he had a great time sliding down. After he played for a while and got thoroughly soaked we headed for the streetcar and home.