Field Trip to Shedd Aquarium

Sylvia's grade took a field trip to Chicago today to make a quick run through Shedd Aquarium, and I was privileged to go along as a chaperon.  It really was a quick trip; we left at 7:30 a.m. and were back by 5:00 p.m.  So, not a long time at the aquarium, but it sure made us want to go back and spend at least a day there with our family.

I was responsible for Sylvia and a boy from her class, Tyler.
Here they are x-raying a polyp.

A couple divers were in one of the first tanks we came by,
and this lady was using a brush to scrub a big rock.

The garden eels were one of the most intriguing things we saw...They burrow down in the sand and stick their bodies up into the water and wave around to catch their food as it floats by.

Sylvia, Tyler, and I were trying to look at as many things as we could, and their teacher Mrs. Ayers was hanging back with us until we were told to move along faster.  There was just so much to look at, we didn't even get through all the different parts of the aquarium!

warty toad fish

That's one big fish!

Tyler and Sylvia loved watching the rays swim right under their feet!

Clownfish in their sea anemone home--just like Nemo!

Super GREEN frogs!

We were fascinated by the seahorses.  They had their tails wrapped around the plant, and the kids thought maybe they were sleeping and that was their way of hanging on so they didn't float away.

This is a seahorse too!  It looks like a plant until you see it swimming

The hands-on play area was a big hit with the kids, of course!

We were so tired and hungry by the time we sat down
to rest and watch the Fantasea show at 1:00!

our whole group--3 first grade classes, teachers, and chaperones

Proof that I was there on the field trip.  So glad to spend the day with my girl!

The beluga whales were so amazing!

The penguins waddled right up to the audience!

Dolphins!!

Sylvia and I felt a little like we were at Disney World while watching the new Fantasea show.  It was fantastic!  She said to me afterward, "That was a great way to spend my birthday!  It was a good present!"

All the 1st graders outside Shedd Aquarium

What a great field trip!  The kids were all very good and enjoyed everything they saw at the aquarium.  Thank you teachers for such a great trip!!!