But Sara was a total trooper and came with us as we headed back to Monterey to visit the aquarium. We had heard so many good things about this aquarium, and I was really looking forward to it.
When we got in the aquarium, I was instantly overwhelmed. There were so many people! It's a big aquarium, and I was trying to keep track of 7 kids, and there were so many people everywhere we went! So we found a theater and listened to a shark presentation, while Scott studied the map so we would know where to go after that.
After the shark presentation, we braved the aquarium.
It really was a cool place, but the crowds made it hard to enjoy it.
The touch pools were a huge hit with the kids.
Kate loved this enclosed area that had a bunch of birdies (and fish). While we were in there, Owen and Nate got into a fight over using the periscope.
All the kids loved this tunnel where the water flushed over the top of them in a wave.
As the day wore on, we all started to get tired. At the end of the aquarium, we discoved a cute little area called "Splash Zone", designed specifically for little kids. Kate loved jumping on the water trampoline.
The boys loved this water table, where they could make waves and float boats.
The boys could have played here for hours, but Kate was really tired and needed to leave. When we told the boys that it was time to go, Owen broke down into a tantrum. He didn't want to leave. Scott had to carry Owen out of the aquarium kicking and screaming. Scott couldn't get out of there fast enough! We left the aquarium and just started walking. Savannah spotted a cute little alley way, and asked if we could go down it. It was the best find! It led to a patio overlooking the ocean, and was totally empty of people. We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch on the patio and let everyone de-stress.
We loved watching the waves crash on the rocks below.
Owen calmed down almost instantly, and before lunch was over, he melted Scott's frustration away with a "I'm super sorry", and convinced Scott to take him back in the aquarium to buy a souvenir. Scott took Nate, Owen and Savannah back with him to shop in the aquarium gift shop, and I stayed with the other kids at our picnic spot. Sara was feeling pretty miserable, so she stretched out on a bench in the sun.
It was long past nap time for Kate, and soon she decided she just couldn't take things anymore, and melted into tears.
But, some funny faces selfies cheered her right up.
Soon Scott returned with presents (white seal stuffed animals and a puzzle), and we headed back to our van.
On the way to the van, we stopped at a store to shop for souvenirs, and Kate finally fell asleep.
We had just enough time to drive back to our house and make it out for an hour of playing on our beach before sunset. (Sara was finally feeling better, and came down to play with us.)
Savannah and our house in the background.
A game of tic-tac-toe in the sand.
Josh and Sara were crazy and braved the cold ocean.
The only place Kate wanted to be was on Scott's shoulders.
Scott put her down to see if she would play in the sand, and she was not happy.
But when he wouldn't pick her back up, she decided to give it a try, and headed over to dig with Owen in the sand.
Soon, Nate came over to say he needed to go to the bathroom, so Scott took him back up to the house. Kate wasn't happy about being left behind!
Soon she dug her toes into the sand, and decided that maybe it wasn't so bad.
Savannah took her hand and helped her get her feet wet. She did not like it one bit!
The rest of us continued to play till the sun was dipping below the water.
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