Me: Leo’s staycation day 1

 Good morning!

Jamie is off with the grandparents for a few days and we’ll join him soon, but Leo and I have been testing out our staycation idea of just fully enjoying everything the Cincinnati area has to offer as a vacation without the travel and it’s been an absolute blast!!!

Day one: Newport on the Levee

This is right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati and we usually walk here from friendship park across the purple people bridge though that was under construction for the present so we decided to drive rather than brave the slightly longer (about 2 miles each way rather than 1) in the 90+ heat with little legs walk. 

Our first stop was the aquarium!

This was the first time going without Jamie for Leo and he really enjoyed getting to pace the trip and stop literally everywhere. He was still asking for his brother but he clearly was having fun with the one on one time. 

We stopped in every option for sticking your head into a observation area for fish that you had to climb into.😆 somebody had energy! 

And no trip is ever complete without a selfie (he took) in front of the white alligator! A really cool maladaptation for some alligators. There are two at the aquarium as they don’t do as well in the wild because of their lack of camouflage.

We stayed here for an hour and Leo was in L O V E just running around this indoor gym.

Stingray bay interactive where you get to pet the rays was the winner. He was so invested and patient and we stayed for over half an hour. The rays kept coming right up to him and the experience of him learning about them and how to be gentle and not scared of them was priceless!!!

He was also very insistent that we HAD to do the shark bridge which I love. It gives you a great view of the sharks, rays, and loggerheads swimming underneath! 💛💛💛

After the aquarium we made it through the gift shop exit with a promise that he could pick out a candy at the sweet shop next door and he was so cute finding his rainbow lollipop! 

We then went to get grilled cheese for an early dinner and Daddy joined us walking across the bridge from where he was working downtown!

All in all, a pretty magical day!!!

💛 Jess