We got word that the Dallas Zoo has finally re-opened the aquarium at Fair Park, so since we are zoo members and could get in free, we decided to check it out. It was fantastic! The size of the aquarium is still very small, and they are still waiting for animals to be placed in tanks, but what they did have was very worth the trip. When you come through the entrance, there is a large touch tank full of horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, calico crabs, and sea snails. It will also be the home to sea stars and anemones soon. The kids really enjoyed being able to handle the sea creatures. William was a little afraid of the horseshoe crabs, but liked touching everything else. Alex and Miller enjoyed watching the waterfalls and the big silver fish in the tank across the room. Brie, Nate, & Natalie were mesmerized with it all. They are very hands-on kids.

After the touch tank, we walked through the area that held fish from Texas lakes and other lakes/rivers around the world. Most liked creatures were the piranha, the huge alligator snapping turtle, and the electric eel, that is not really an eel but a knife fish.

From lakes and rivers we went to Sting Ray Bay. This is a new outdoor area that has been added to the aquarium where you can touch and feed several different rays. As we walked down the ramp to the first tank, the aquarium worker tells all of us that the treats are free today. William, always taking people for their word, tells me, "Mom, I am really hungry. Can I have one of the treats since the guy said they are free?" I had to laugh. When I told him, "Sure, if you want some fish," he got pretty embarrassed. Crazy boy! The kids had a great time petting the rays and dropping their fish treats to them. What a great experience. William was NOT okay with holding the headless fish between his fingers down the side of the tank, so he went to the shallow end and chucked it in the water to see if the rays could find where it went.