New Orleans with Mimi
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Brent is still gone...however, we were not spending the holiday alone.  My mom (Mimi) came down for a visit the week of Thanksgiving.  She flew in and out of New Orleans, so we stayed a night in the French Quarter on her way in and then spent the rest of her visit here in Baton Rouge.

Mimi arrived in the early afternoon, so after checking in, we were able to spend the rest of our day walking along the Mississippi and through the streets of Vieux Carré.  The hotel was in a good location, just off Canal Street and only a few blocks from the riverfront.  While roaming, we enjoyed a dinner and music at the Gumbo Cafe in the French Market.  The weather was very pleasant, so it was very nice to sit outside and take in the sights.


Watching the boats

We headed back to the hotel early.  Mimi had a long day and I wanted Kyla well rested for the next day.  A visit to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas was on our itinerary for Sunday. 


Snuggled up with Mimi at the hotel

At the river with Mimi


 


 

I was impressed with the aquarium!  They sustained a lot of damage and loss when the levees broke, but it's totally back up and running.  It was much bigger than I expected.  Kyla was into it, running from exhibit to exhibit. 

 
Peeking in at the Amazon exhibit


Checking out the reef


Getting zapped by a jellyfish


Playing at Adventure Island


Looking in the seahorse belly

 Kyla loved the seahorse exhibit, mostly because it had an interactive area.  She could push buttons and peek through holes and do a "seek & find" to search out camouflaged seahorses.  We hit this area a couple times. 


Playing the seahorse click...over and over and over again


Seadragon
They feed the penguins twice a day, and we were able to catch the morning feeding.  I have a video of her watching it, which I might post later.  The penguins were VERY active during this time and a lot of fun to watch. 


The penguins


Looking down at the stingrays

They also feed the stingrays twice a day.  During this time, they allow the public to help feed but only sell a limited amount of food.  I bolted up and bought a token for Kyla as soon as we got there because I wanted her to participate.

It didn't work out quite the way I planned.  I had her in line for the feeding, and she had a little meltdown.  After chilling for a bit, she re-entered the line.  This time with Mimi, who ended up doing the actual feeding.  There was a certain way to hold the fish for them to grab, but Kyla just wanted to throw it in.  She did assist Mimi, though.  She also reached in and touched one....which splashed her.  She was tickled with that!


Showing Kyla how to hold the fish


Squealing after her splash!
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