Thoughts from this mom....: A Fun Day On Long Island!

Today was our extra day off for Memorial Day. After all the snow we had this year, we still got to use up a day because our kids need more time off this time of year. With the parents in town, I took advantage of the extra eyeballs to take the kids to the Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, New York. It's been here on Long Island for 10 years and today was my first trip. (Technically I was there 8 years ago, but, hubbs and I were at the animal rescue center visiting a friend that worked there and then we weren't "allowed" in the aquarium because we might get the animals "sick".)
Any hooo, the day started off great for the single fact alone that my girlfriend gets discount tickets through her union and she just happened to have had 5 laying around her house. The price was right and we were ready to go (PS - any and all money that I had saved was spent on 2 THINGS at the gift shop).
The ride out was smooth enough. A lovely drive on the Long Island Expressway with minimal traffic - upside to a Tuesday trip. Traffic was a little heavy in Riverhead as there is much construction going on right in front of the aquarium. A gas station remodel as well as a hotel being built on either side of the aquarium made for a slow go.
Once we finally found the parking down the street, we took a great strool to the entrance where you can watch seals while waiting to enter. The downside to today - school field trips. Atleast 3 different schools were there. From elementary to crazed middle schoolers. I just kept a ~~tighter grip~~ closer eye on my kids.
The stingrays are right up front when you get in. On the other side of the interior is a great scene with shallow water and a beachy feeling. You walk over a dock, look down and there's sand sharks. That went over big! We saw Japanese Spider Crabs (HOLY CRAP!! They were HUGE and very scary looking) and electric eels. We even found Nemo.
Sharks, octopus, penguins, snow monkeys. SNOW MONKEYS??? Isn't this an AQUARIUM??? oh, and 4 parrots. Fish, lots of fish. The boys loved the sea lion show. It was short, but cute, none the less.
2 1/2 hours of pure joy on my children's face. No complaints other than the usual "I'm THRISTY!!"
It truly was a picture perfect family day.