Cape Town Aquarium Sleep Over – Saving Water Like a Penguin.
Written by Nez, Posted in Uncategorized, Comments: leave another one
Me and Muli have been looking forward to the Two Oceans Aquarium sleep over since it was announced by the end of Feb. Perfect theme, saving water like a penguin as Cape Town is faced with water crisis. A good initiative to educate both kids and adults in a playful environment.
Muli was anticipating loads of fun because she has done their yearly sleepovers before. All the time she had fun and makes friends that she claim are her BFF’s, only to never see them again. Ha!. As for me I have my adult reasons that made me to look forward to the sleep one.
- I was looking forward to one on one time with Muli. I have realised that Muli behaves diffently when she is alone with me. She gets the chance to be a the little girl. To sit on my lap. To throw tentums. I also get to relate to her as a bigger girl and I talk bigger girl staff. Like last night before we drift off to sleep I told her about my childhood. She was very interested and the topic was making sense to her. I would have not talked about such if Zee was with us, she is too young. Right now, add mommy guilt (leaving Zee at home).
- Taking responsibility for my joy and personal development. Having short breakaways make me happy, motivated and challenges me. On happiness, watching Muli interacting so well with strangers makes my heart smile. On Challenge, I have no friends who are interested to go with me. Cullo is interested but Zee is not two years old yet, so she is not allowed. Cullo has to be home with her. So to go alone and is abit of challenge. On motivation, you will never be the same after you spent a night sleeping under the watchful eyes of spotted ragged-tooth sharks. Sounds strange but you need to experience it for yourself to make sense of what I am saying.
- Last but not least, I like the feeling of endorphins released associated with having an adventure. For me the feeling is very similar to the one I get when the endorphin are released after a good cardio exercise. I saw some guys sleeping on bare inflated matresses. You think I should have been out of space when I wasamongs the few guys who used white pillows and sheets. I sleep much peaceful in white sheets. You are welcome to judge me but mine must be white dear.
Last week Thursday was thee day. We arrived a bit late because I drove from work to home. Do some last minutes prep and off to Aquarium. When we arrived, most people where done setting up their beds and were eating super, picnic style.
I saw a perfect spot in front of a shark tank, predator exhibit. I wondered why people left the spot. If I did not know better I could have how could have been suspicious and look for another place. I looked at the direction the ventilation air flow terminsls where blowing. The cold air can be a nightmare at night and you could feel cold and wake up with blocked nose or dry throat etc.
Cullo and Zee where with us to help us set up our beds. They left quickly after setting up.The night started with a water saving presentation.
The highlight of the night was interaction with the penguins. We had a chance to touch the cuddly penguins. Kids were extremely excited.
Then the puppet show. The kids enjoyed the puppet show.Afterwards an art for kids. Adults were also having fun. Me included.
Then the hot chocolate and the movie. I would like to tell you about how lovely was the movie. But I dozed off through the whole movie. Muli was so disappointed and very embaraced to be sitting next to a sleepy mommy. She kept on saying Mommy wake up, MOOOOOOM, but she quickly realised that she needs to cut me some slack. I was coming from work, and my day was very busy (I don’t think 6years olds worry or care much about what you are up to when you are not with them. All they want is your 100% attention whenever you are with them(.
Taking short naps might have helped because I felt a bit refreshed after the movie. We went to cuddle up in bed and we talked about my childhood for a long time. She was excited about her sleeping bag and rolling on the mat in it.
I like watching sharks till I fall sleep. But this time I was warn out, I did not watch them to sleep. Our bedding were warm and comfortable. We slept through the night. I woke up at about 5am and had a chance to watch the sharks. Muli woke up an hour later and we went to brush our teeth and pack up. We later went for breakfast.
Breakfast was good but Muli could not enjoy as she is recovering from sores in her mouth plus she is on antibiotics. Her appetite is messed up. But she was beaming when she saw Cullo and she talked endlessly about her magical night.
Take care,
Nez