Our "Playdate" with the Matsuda Family at the Academy of Sciences

At our last playdate with Naoki, we mentioned that we are members at the California Academy of Sciences and invited them to join us whenever they wanted on a trip with the boys. Due to some scheduling conflicts, we were finally able to make the joint trip last weekend!

Peyton did his usual stop at the T-Rex, but I was amazed that he limited it to just a few minutes when Naoki said he wanted to see the sharks. We made our way to the ostrich exhibit.

They were 53 days old and significantly bigger than the last time we were there!

We made our way down to the aquarium. Naoki loved the Philippine Coral Reef.

The wonderful Matsuda family!

We got lucky and got to see a diver cleaning the tank.

Naoki and Satoko watched the diver intently.

Even Koki was intrigued!

Koki really liked the diver and the tank.

Isn't he just adorable?!?!

But, I don't blame him - it's an amazing view!

Peyton and James made their way to meet us and Peyton greeted Naoki with a kiss (of course).

Then it was back to his newest fascination at the Academy - the pythons!

I'm so glad they're all sealed up.... :-)

Back to the Philippine Coral Reef.

I could sit here all day - it's amazing!

Peyton and Naoki decided that they wanted to see the penguins in the African Hall, so we made our way back upstairs.

In the six months that we have been going to the Academy, this is the first time we realized that the landscape behind the zebra and oryx diorama is a digital screen that loops an elephant stroll through the African savannah.

Peyton and Naoki climbed up on some "rocks" to watch the elephants.

Naoki making a funny face.

Koki decided to join in the fun.

Hi Koki!

We took a lunch break, then took a quick peek on the roof (it was cold and very windy that day), and then explored the second floor - the naturalist and education floor. Peyton was very interested in examining mini plastic skull replicas of homo sapiens, homo erectus, australopithecus, and a chimpanzee. He was so focused. He sat still for about 15 minutes just playing with them. Opening their jaws and studying the differences. Peyton is extremely active; he doesn't sit still for very long, so this was incredible.

Peyton's latest point of interest has recently been volcanoes. We were excited that the education center was playing an episode of PBS' Nova on Mount St. Helen's. He was so happy!

Being that we had Peyton and Naoki together, it was just a matter of time before a game of chase started. And they did not disappoint us! Even Koki joined in the fun.

 It was getting late, so we made our way back down to the aquarium for a different view of the Philippine Coral Reef in the deeper, darker room. The room is lit with a blue light, and I love this picture of Naoki.

But of course, the main focus of the room is the large round window into the depths of the reef.

Buddies enjoying the view. (One of my favorite pictures).

Before we left, we made one last stop to show Naoki and his family the water show.

It was a long day, we were there for about 6 hours (we had previously spent no more than 4 hours there), but we saw so much and had so much fun! We look forward to coming back with the Matsudas!