Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Aquarium Farewell

As you all know by now, we are moving back to San Luis Obispo in just a few days. But there was one last thing we needed to do before leaving Tampa.




This year for her birthday Harper asked to Swim With The Fishes at the Florida aquarium. Actually, it's what she's asked for every year since she was two, but I digress. Because we'll be back in SLO before the big day, I decided to take her for MY birthday this year. So here we are, swimming in the shallow reef tank exhibit.



Harper did so well! It took her a few minutes to get used to not holding her breath under water and to use the regulator, and then it took her a couple more minutes to get used to swimming away from the main platform over an area too deep for her to comfortably dive. But eventually she got the hang of it and was paddling allover the tank in wonder. I was so proud of her!

She was simply awestruck! It was a wonderful send off to the Florida Aquarium (our second home; the place where Harper spoke her first word and where Will stood on his own for the first time), a wonderful 45th birthday adventure for me (why does 45 sound so much older than 44?), and an unforgettable Mommy-Daughter Day all around!

Goodbye, Florida Aquarium! We will miss you!