Sleepover at the Tennessee Aquarium

I decided to do something fun with the older kids and take them to a sleepover at the Tennessee Aquarium on July 3rd and 4th.  The kids had to be at least 6 to attend.  I was a little worried that Aaron would feel bad being left home with Dad, but it turned out he was pretty sick and wouldn't have been able to come anyway.

We were supposed to see a big fireworks show, but (like the rest of the summer) it had been raining for days and the fireworks show was cancelled.  To make up for the missing fireworks, we were able to go see the newest IMAX movie--The Great White Shark.  I was a little worried about the movie, but it was fascinating and the kids all loved it.

After the IMAX movie we had pizza for dinner and then headed back to the Aquarium for the behind the scenes tour.  The Aquarium was closed by then and it was fun to see not only the "off limits" areas, but also to have the rest of the exhibits without anyone else--there were 40 people total, 20 in each group and the groups saw things in opposite order so we only had 20 people around us at any given time. 

First we saw the top of the ocean tank.  We loved the two sea turtles--Oscar and Scooby.

Standing at the top of the tank

We spent a long time at the touching tank for the sting rays and sharks.

After that we went to the butterfly area.

Caroline was able to take some great pictures.

We had a great time playing with the penguins. I didn't realize that the penguins (and all animals for that matter) can see through the glass and watch you.  The kids started rattling keys in front of the penguins and they would follow the keys all over the tank.  It was really fun to watch.

After penguins we stopped by the food prep areas and saw all of the restaurant quality food they use to feed the fish and other animals.  Everything from grapes (otters) and lettuce (turtles) to shrimp and fish.  Then our group leader showed us what she had prepared for our evening snack....a frozen rat-cicle.  This is Alex's face when she showed him the ratsicle and even mentioned that you just hold it by its tail and didn't even need a stick!  He was relieved when she told him it was just a joke.  The rats are also used as food, but luckily not for us!

After touring most of both buildings of the aquarium we went back to where we had left our things and they had some snakes that you could touch....my boys did not even want to get close to the snakes, but Caroline was excited to see them up close!

By this time it was about 11pm and the boys were exhausted!  We carried our things over to the ocean building and we slept in the area where there are open viewing areas of the tanks--it was really fun and while the boys went right to sleep, Caroline spent a long time sitting at the tanks watching the fish, turtles, and sharks. 

The next morning we had a small breakfast (who only buys enough mini bagels for only 1 bagel per person??) and toured the rest of the areas of the aquarium.

The kids all wanted a turn taking a picture!

We loved getting to see the Otters!  Most of the time when we come to the aquarium the otters are sleeping (they are most active early in the morning and late in the evening).  They were raring to go this morning and we were able to feed them grapes as well.  These otters are actually brothers!

We finished up and drove home....stopping for some breakfast on the way home!