Life in the ATL

As part of a week long birthday celebration, we took Gracie and her friend, Hunter, to Atlanta this past weekend.  We went to the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, and Atlanta Zoo.  We also went to Ikea, but it wasn't an official birthday stop.  ;) 

The World of Coke was quite interesting.  We watched a short film about what goes into Coca-Cola in 4D.  We were sprayed with water repeatedly, poked in the back, jerked around, and the blown in the face with what felt like a supersonic hair dryer.  The kids LOVED it!  We also got to taste different types of Coke products from around the globe.  They have one that tastes like cough syrup...it is just awful!  I am curious how those people stand it.  At the end, Gracie and Hunter spent some of their hard-saved cash in the gift shop before venturing to the aquarium.

The Georgia Aquarium was nice.  I expected a lot better from all the hype though.  There were some very good things about the place.  John, Gracie, and Hunter were fascinated by the Whale Shark.  It was quite LARGE!!  The penguins weren't very interested in entertaining people on Saturday, but the Belgua Whales made up for it.  They kept swimming right in front of the glass.  They are amazing.  

After the aquarium, we took the kids to the Varsity to eat dinner.  We were all quite hungry after such a long day of gawking and drinking sugar-loaded sodas.  Hunter has never been to the Varsity, so it was a new experience for him.  We love the place, and we go everytime we are in Atlanta.  They have some of the best hot dogs!  Yummm!

Sunday, we went to the Atlanta Zoo.  We got there as soon as they opened, so we wouldn't melt away in the heat.  It was still miserably hot and humid!  I remember why I don't like Georgia now!!  Most of the animals were out (even in the heat), and the kids took a million pictures of them.  They were really interested in the gorillas.  Gracie asked about a million questions about Willie B.  He was the gorilla Atl. Zoo had long ago.  He died a few years back, and Gracie never got to see him.  I remember going to the zoo many times when I was growing up, and we were always interested in Willie B.  It actually made the news when he died.  He was quite old though.  (The new pic is of Gracie and Willie B.) 

So, after what seemed like the longest weekend ever...we are back home and running as usual.  Gracie had guitar lessons and soccer camp today, so she will be exhausted later.  She starts school Monday, and I am not quite sure that has sunk in yet.  She will also be 9 on Friday.  That is what she is looking forward to the most!!!