The magical thing that happened when I took my kids to the Aquarium

You know in April and May, when the school year is winding down, and you feel like you’re dying inside every time your kid gets another school project or homework assignment? Those last few weeks of school are pure torture and everyone can’t hardly wait until Summer comes. And then, Summer does come! And it’s glorious and amazing and we all have so much fun together… for about 2 weeks! And then you can hardly wait until school is in again, because all day- every day at home with all these kids is getting tough.

Well, we are on our 3rd week of Summer. We’ve done crafts, projects, had swim parties, gone on bike rides, eaten a million snow cones, and played so much baseball (like SO much baseball). My kids have been at each others’ throats plenty of times, and honestly, we are all getting on each others’ nerves. And I’m tired. I’m SO tired! This mom business ain’t no joke! So yesterday, when it was stormy outside and my kids were driving me nuts, I knew something magical needed to happen to save the day. And something magical DID happen! Someone had the brilliant idea to go to the aquarium!

As part of the Mom It Forward Influencer Network, this post is sponsored by the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, but all thoughts, opinions, and photos are my own.

Now, let me tell you, taking 4 kids to the aquarium is tough work. Everyone had to put on real clothes, brush their hair, brush their teeth, all that jazz. But, the minute we walked into the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, something magical happened- I fell in love with my family all over again. We had the best time as a family and we made memories that will last forever. My littles explored, learned, and played. And in the end, every bit of effort to get us there was SO worth it. This is an experience we will always remember, and honestly, memories are the only things I’m going to have with these kids once they grow up- and these pretty cool pictures too. So if it takes a little effort and overcoming my anxieties as a mom to provide my kids with these experiences and memories that will last a lifetime, then I’m cool with that.

Cause guys, look at the faces in these pictures! The wonder and awe on their faces is so precious to me!

My kids’ favorite part of the whole aquarium were the touch pools- I guess that’s what you call them. There were some with starfish, stingrays, and little sharks- my boys LOVED the sharks, of course!

We also loved this shark tank tube thingy. It was amazing to see the fish (and sharks- eek!) swimming all around and on top of us.

I loved that there were instructors and volunteers all over the aquarium. They even had this fun craft where you could make your own flowered necklaces. Molly loved that part.

We also got to see a fun 4D movie about penguins. It was a fun break from walking and visiting exhibits.

I was surprised that the aquarium wasn’t just all fish. They had birds, lizards, and otters too.

They even have a few Leopards. Those were fun to see.

My little kids really liked this part of the aquarium where there were birds flying all around. I’m not gonna lie- the birds freaked me out a little. Haha!

We also loved this rope bridge we could walk on to see more birds.

All in all, we had the best time together. I know right now my kids don’t understand why I struggle with these things, but someday they’ll look back and remember that even though I seemed like all I did was yelled and made them do chores all Summer, we had a lot of fun too!