SUCH a good day

Yesterday. Was. AWESOME.

After waking up and watching the trainers take one of the dolphins from the Academy next door out in the ocean for a swim RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR PATIO (they had the dolphin do tricks for the boys and everything... two mornings in a row!), we had breakfast outside before getting dressed and heading next door to the Curaçao Seaquarium. It's not a very modern or extensive aquarium. If you've ever been to a major aquarium (like the one we visiting in Monaco during our honeymoon/trip to Europe in 2001) you'd likely turn up your nose and be in and out of there in 5-10 minutes. However if you look closer -or if you're a 7, 4, or 1 year old boy!- you'll find lots to delight and fascinate. 

The boys loved watching the flamingoes with their rubber necks, the stingray that looked like it was trying to climb out of its pool to come say 'hi', the enormous delicious looking lobsters, all the colourful reef fish and the sea lion and dolphin shows. 

Liam's thinking, "Umm, yum!" Unfortunately, so is the lobster...

that second picture? yeah, I can totally do that...

They ADORED the "Touch Tank". Several large shallow tanks where they could touch and pick up starfish, sea cucumbers and some sort of large snail thing that lives in those conch shells. There were also some small sea urchins (maybe? something small and round with tiny white spikes). The starfish were the biggest hit.

After the aquarium (which we're allowed to visit for free as guests of the resort), we headed back to our villa to prepare our picnic lunch, change into swimsuits, and collect all the necessary gear for a day at the beach with three kids... in our case that meant the huge Chariot stroller loaded down with a cooler, two big bags of sand toys, a big bag of snorkel gear, blankie and monkey for Andrew's nap time, a change of swimsuit (just in case), sunscreen and hats and towels (x5), along with the everyday purse, glasses, camera, diapers and wipes, etc.

We'd decided to forgo the beach at our resort and take the short walk across the bridge to the opposite beach, which is shared by a few other resorts including Breezes Curaçao. We found a shaded little nook with two lounge chairs and staked our claim. I guess the spot was okay...

I think they're all giving gang signs

It's a long stretch of beach protected by a man-made breaker (ie, piles of huge boulders) that are about 40 feet from the shore. I don't know how long the break has been there, but it's been long enough that it's now covered in coral and home to likely thousands of fish. No scuba gear needed, just a mask and snorkel. Liam loved being able to just float there and see so many different kids of fish, sea urchins (the size of basketballs), crabs and plant life.

this alligator is the reason Simon has a bit of a pink back today... oops.

I even took a turn to swim out a do a bit of snorkelling. With three little kids in tow, Peter and I didn't really know how to work the logistics of doing a scuba course, but it's turned out that we've both loved snorkelling. It has just the right amount of feeling adventurous and new and exciting without worrying about gear and equipment and water pressure and can-I-even-do-this-while-pregnant. That and it's miles cheaper and amazingly relaxing. Love it.

While Peter was out snorkelling with the boys and Andrew was doing this:

THIS was my view:

And back in to shore:

you can see here how close the "reef" is

don't worry, we've since bought some goggle anti-fog stuff. poor guy.

After spending 4 and a half hours (!!) on the beach, we went back to the resort... and headed almost straight for the pools. Because we hadn't had enough wetness.

Actually, it was starting to cool off a bit and the kiddie pool is fed by the (barely-hot-but-just-perfectly-warm) jacuzzi, so is just warm enough to take any of the bite out of breeze coming off the ocean. Plus, if they swim around in the fresh water pool long enough, we don't have to shower them off in our room, right? Right. The kids swam while Peter hid from the sun (he's a bit a lot burned) and I visited with two older couples who have been coming to this resort for years. They were the ones who were witness to Simon's post-nap escape from our room and subsequent solo trek down to the beach in search of "daddy and fun". They think our kids are adorable and don't mind being dripped on by our overly-friendly spawn.

We rounded out the night with some eggplant primavera on rice noodles, enjoyed in our room. Liam and Simon eat on the floor while watching Toy Story 3 (borrowed for free from the front desk), which let Peter and I enjoy a nice (almost quiet) meal (almost alone) on the patio, watching the sun set.

So, yes, a very good day.