Boston, day 3

On day 3 in Boston, with daddy at work, we decided to make our way over to the Boston aquarium for a visit. One of the first exhibits as you enter the aquarium is the shark and ray touch tank. We definitely spent the most time in this area touching 2 different varieties of rays and even a couple of sharks!

Elizabeth was actually the only one who managed to touch a shark as they largely were hanging out under the rocks instead of swimming by the hands of children desperate to touch them.

Elizabeth's favorite exhibit at most aquariums are the jellyfish, and these jellyfish did not disappoint.

The penguins were so cute interacting together.

We especially had fun watching the Rockhopper penguins, which we read about recently in a National Geographic for Little Kids magazine.

Finn was thrilled to see these penguins, which he enjoyed reading about, in real life.

This ray may not look very large floating at the top of the huge ocean tank, but he was probably 4-5 feet across.

Elizabeth and Finn examining the beautiful tropical fish.

I loved this guy, so vibrant with his mane of fins. He's a lionfish.

The Atlantic Harbor Seals were great fun to watch for a while. One of them kept swimming over and barking loudly at us causing Finn to collapse in hysterical laughter.

This is a random photo of a Steinway shop that we've passed several times. I always have to pause and look through the window at the gorgeous pianos just for my mom. This photo is for her.

Following a break for lunch and naps, we decided to make it a low-key afternoon by buying small sketchpads and pencils and heading to the park to find some inspiration.

The first inspiration was nestled by a busy walkway so we had to be content with a few pictures instead of sketching.

Finn insisted that only marker would do for his sketching.

Elizabeth had to settle for a mechanical pencil. (Reminder to self to bring sketching supplies even if I think I won't need them!)

The scenery more than made up for our lack of supplies.

We sketched,

and sketched,

and watched the wildlife for more than an hour.

I think it might have been the best hour we've spent in Boston.