Mystic

This morning Madeline was excited. Not only did she get to spend time with uncle, but she also got to go to Mystic Aquarium! She smiled ...

... and smiled some more.

Madeline doesn't seem to have nearly the same aversion to Connecticut that she has to Massachusetts (though, oddly, she did open her eyes just as we crossed the border, before falling back asleep). The drive to Mystic nevertheless took its toll; not long after we arrived, we parked ourselves near a sea lion enclosure so Madeline could eat and have her diaper changed. The staff said they expected Kodiak, a 1700-pound behemoth, to emerge, but sadly he never did.

We visited the belugas and saw parts of two feedings; between feedings, one particularly social beluga came to visit us.

And we attended a sea lion show. Madeline was asleep at the beginning, but she woke up and watched the very interesting creatures show off their abilities and personalities.

We paused to pose for a picture, but Madeline was not entirely cooperative this time.

The indoor part of the aquarium is full of interesting things, too. Summer managed to catch Madeline looking at a juvenile loggerhead turtle and the turtle looking back at her!

We were there long enough that Madeline needed another diaper change, which we accomplished on a bench in a not-too-popular corner. Afterward, uncle played sky baby with Madeline.

On the way out we paused for one more look at the belugas. Madeline's plum-tuckered expression, though, said she was ready to go.

So we went. She slept just about all the way home.