Yesterday we made our first trek to Clearwater Marine Aquarium…..notice I said first. Is it sad that we are here for a few weeks and we get a family membership? Yes, it was a rhetorical question. At this point I am pretty sure we could conduct tours and give out information!

Must you also ask how many times T asked if we could get such & such animal? Again, rhetorical question. Many thanks to the lovely Dr. Dan for his fantastic career guidance – after spending some quality time with the good doctor, T decided he wants to be a physical therapist…..but after talking with Dr. Dan (who we do love), T is now thinking animal physical therapy. Yes, there is such a thing – like cotillions. Only cooler and less painful for pre-teen boys to attend. Unless you really tick Dr. Dan off.

Anyway…..Winter and Hope are doing great. Nicholas is still The Man (really, he is – he is the only male dolphin there). The otters still smell – and T still wants one. Guess he didn’t notice the smell. No comment. I still love the turtles. And, yes, I was asked if we could have one. Once again – pretty sure the HOA frowns on things like that but I will be sure to bring it up at the next meeting. Oh – please don’t let me forget the sting rays! How could I?!?!? From the moment we pulled in T was asking when we could “pet” (yes – because they are akin to petting a dog) the sting rays. I am sure the HOA wouldn’t mind those – as long as they are clipped. Hey – maybe we can just hide them in our neighbor’s pool!

So…to sum the day up, the animals are still there – healthy and fun. It is getting more and more crowded – and I know we will be back. By some small miracle we were able to walk out without buying anything – although I am sure we (I) won’t be as lucky the next time we are there.

Annnnnddddd….oh – how could I possibly forget to mention the Yankees Spring Training game against the Braves????? The one where Freddie apparently didn’t like the call on his pitcher – the first pitch in the bottom of the first….where he decided to “chat” with the ump – and then needed a LOOONNNGGGGG timeout in the clubhouse. an eight inning timeout. It was a great game and a great way to see the young kids (ugh) coming up. It was also great to see/hear A-Rod get booed – especially by my own boys. We might be lifelong Yanks fans, but we are not A-Rod fans. Anyway, Yanks won 2-3….only preseason but still nice to have them win with us there!