Our three year old may have a career ahead of her as an animal trainer.
We are spending a few days in Monterey, visiting its famous Aquarium and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The children were given two stuffed otter toys as a gift from the hotel, and Maureen happened to bring hers with us to the Aquarium. Imagine her delight when she discovered that a playful otter in the tank was eager for a game with her! A crowd gathered round as Maureen directed his motions as if he was a virtual otter being guided by a mouse.
Several children from the crowd stepped forward attempting the same game, trying everything from wallets to water bottles to attract the otter, but he would only follow Maureen's stuffed toy!
That is so cute! And now that I have sound on my computer again it is great to hear y'all too :-)
Posted by: patience | August 20, 2007 at 04:06 PM
That is amazing!
Posted by: Love2learn Mom | August 20, 2007 at 04:21 PM
My kids and I just watched it three times. Adorable!
Posted by: Melissa Wiley | August 20, 2007 at 05:41 PM
How delightful, Alice! Did you find Carmel charming? Having read your blog for awhile, I picture you in Carmel with all of the wonderful gardens and cottages by the sea. And one of the most charming tea rooms -- the Tuck Box. (Growing up in the City, Carmel was our vacation town and I spent the first few days of married life there!)
Posted by: Martha Long | August 20, 2007 at 05:46 PM
That's SO much fun! My kids gathered around me to watch!
Posted by: Beck | August 20, 2007 at 06:48 PM
Emme and I loved this! How neat! How much fun they were having :)
Blessings,
Sherry
Posted by: sherry | August 20, 2007 at 07:11 PM
Oh Alice! That just warms my heart as I can see my own sweet daughters in yours. I do hope the girls (and boy) can meet one day. I have loved every minute of your wonderful summer. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Maria Ashwell | August 20, 2007 at 07:16 PM
What fun!
I love little Eileen's shrieking there at the end.
Posted by: MelanieB | August 20, 2007 at 07:39 PM
"That is amazing, isn't it mother?" -Gianna
It most certainly IS! What fun.
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | August 20, 2007 at 07:59 PM
The Barrett kids loved this! What fun! The otter was quite a little showman wasn't he? He must have been capitvated by the pretty girl and her toy.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | August 20, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Oh, that was cute! And look at all those grabby hands trying to get hold of that toy!
Posted by: Jennie C. | August 20, 2007 at 08:05 PM
Oh! I have such fond, fond memories of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The giant seaweed was spectacular and the fish! You always see killer whales, hammerhead sharks but the other species?!! Took my breathe away and probably scared my son. :) The video made me smile. We have a sea lion at the nearby zoo that plays with us too only with C's red baseball hat. He likes the swirls best. *grinz*
Posted by: Genevieve | August 20, 2007 at 08:14 PM
Oh how fun!
Posted by: Christine M | August 20, 2007 at 08:29 PM
How cute! I bet she was just tickled.
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | August 20, 2007 at 08:31 PM
How neat, Alice! Lots of fun.
Posted by: Suzanne Temple | August 20, 2007 at 09:54 PM
It is hard to work out whose having more fun...the children or the otter!!
Posted by: aussieannie | August 20, 2007 at 10:01 PM
We thoroughly enjoyed watching this! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Christine | August 20, 2007 at 11:07 PM
I love that aquarium! Very cute story!
Posted by: Mariposa | August 21, 2007 at 02:32 AM
That is so amazing! I can see why it drew a crowd.
Posted by: MaryM | August 21, 2007 at 03:48 AM
This was way too cute! Tomorrow I am going to have to show this to the kids - they'll die. Little Eileen wants that stuffed otter so bad.
Posted by: Lynn | August 21, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Too cute, Alice!
I especially loved hearing Eileen's gleeful shrieks at the end, and watching Big Sister giving her a playful, CALMING pat on the head. :)
Sweet, sweet, sweet.
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | August 22, 2007 at 03:40 PM
That was sooo neat, Alice! I've got to show this to my boys.
Posted by: Jane Ramsey | August 23, 2007 at 06:42 AM