The Ashlan show: Our Tampa trip

We went to Tampa expecting to stay September 9th through the 12th to go to the Florida Aquarium and the Lowry Park Zoo and to use our Jacksonville zoo tickets for a 50% discount at both places. However, Ashlan apparently had other plans on Saturday night and we ended up going home on Sunday morning after only going to the aquarium on Saturday.

She did excellent on Saturday at the aquarium though! We got there at 9:30am , when it opened, and stayed until 2:30 (it closed at 5pm). It was starting to get really crowded with people and strollers (we had one too though) so we decided to call it a day a little early. Ashlan had already fallen asleep in her stroller at the aquarium so we were good for awhile. We saw everything there was to see and a few shows as well, so then we decided to leave.

When we got to our hotel, there was the Hispanic Heritage Festival going on which was right outside of our hotel, so we ended up walking around there for awhile. It was really nice! They had bands performing salsa music and people dancing in the streets! While we were walking around looking at the booths that were set up, Ashlan fell asleep again for a bit.

We then happened upon a Greek taverna called the Acropolis (which was on the main drag of Ybor City, where we stayed) and we just had to go there! Dan had a greek beer and I had a greek wine and we ordered tzatziki while Ashlan slept. That sure brought back great memories of our vacation to Greece! When she woke up, we went back to the Hispanic festival and had some food and then went back to our hotel. Ashlan was ok through her first sleep cycle or two but then she was up from 3:30am to about 6, when we just decided to get up. After that night, we decided to wave the white flag and go home. I was really looking forward to the zoo but we’ll have to go another time. Neither of us were looking forward to another night like that and this way, we got to watch the Steelers game (which we probably would have been ok missing, seeing what a bad job they did kicking off the season).

So, we’ve learned a few things from this trip…first, get Ashlan used to the pack’n’play before we leave for any trip ever again. Second, get Ashlan used to the pack’n’play before we leave for any trip, lol! Third, always have a suite so she can sleep in a different bedroom than us (poor neighbors!). Either way, Saturday day was pretty great except for night time! Ashlan went back into her routine tonight so hopefully this is just a learning experience for all of us!

Our makeshift fence. Haha!

Playing in our hotel room...

She had a pretty good time!

Daddy and Ashlan at the Sting Ray touch tank.

She loved to look at all the fish!

Mommy and Ashlan...she was staring at all the ducks.

The huge cruise ship next to the aquarium.

This was her nap at the aquarium...she was pooped! (I forgot to turn the picture around, sorry.)

Daddy and Ashlan after Ashlan's nap and her lunch of a banana (which some was left over on her chin).

This was the cruise ship and the water park at the aquarium.

Pointing at the fishies...her new thing is pointing now.

Jersey Shore duck...if you don't get it, don't ask (Dan says I apparently watch too much reality tv, lol).

QT with daddy.

Mommy and Ashlan outside the aquarium...after Daddy bought her a stuffed penguin from the gift shop. She loved it! My kind of girl! ;) Those who know me, know why!