One Sweet World: Chatta"hooga" Fun...

Last weekend we decided to have a little getaway with the kids to Chattanooga to visit the Tennessee Aquarium, The Incline Railway, and the Choo-Choo. Lately, traveling with our little ones has been a challenge, but isn't that the way it is with preschoolers and toddlers? We left Friday at lunch in the hopes that a nice snooze would quickly follow full little tummies. Well... Addie got the memo as usual and was asleep about 50 mins into the ride. As for Drew.... he fell asleep as we were entering the city limits of Chattanooga 2 hours and 15 minutes after our departure. We try everything to entertain him, food... books...DVDS... and nothing makes the ride better for this little boy. To look on the bright side of things at least he did not throw up in the car... but I know that is to come in the future.

Kyle decided we needed to stay at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel. The old Train Depot has been transformed into a wonderful and fun hotel that is perfect for families. Addie and Drew had a great time playing in the gardens and fountains.

Addie knows when we are in a different city on a trip because we cave to her wishes.

Drew giving us the "What you taking about?" look.

After an ice cream treat for Addie and four trips back to the room/car trying to find Drew's precious sippy cup... which was found in the trash can placed their by guess who.... we went on a trolley ride. Addie still thinks it was a train ride.
The trolley was used in the 1920s until the 1960s.

Our very nice conductor who helped us with all of our loot.

Addie in front of the "Train" car.

Catching a ride on the Choo-Choo.

Back to the kiddie rides before getting a bite to eat.

Another Chattanooga must for kids...

Not a mile I would like to hike ANY time soon.

After the Incline, we took the crew back to the hotel to take in a swim before hitting the hay. Our plan... to make Addie and Drew so tired, they would have to sleep. Well, another lesson has been learned. The pool was so cold, I could hardly stand in it. Drew did not like the cold one bit and was in and out, thus Kyle was chasing him around the pool. Little fish Addie was happy swimming in the Arctic waters. Kyle and Drew went in for a bath while Addie and I played around in the pool a little bit longer. Once Addie's lips were blue, I decided it was time to go get warmed up with a nice hot bath. By 10:00, Addie was sleeping beside me and Kyle was still wrestling our night owl Drew. By 11:00 all is well in the room and we are settled in for a long night's sleep right? WRONG!
Around 12am Kyle woke up from a dream saying "Sorry Drew!" over and over. He had a dream that Drew had fallen off the bed. Luckily, I was the only one that woke up.
Then around 2:30 am, Addie woke up wanting water and complaining that she was thirsty. This was my little blessing to get away from Addie. Before I could really get of of her pillow, she was throwing up in the bed. My guess for the vomit is drinking the pool water which has been an issue this summer. So here we are in the hotel with vomit in the bed (lucky for me at the bottom and on a blanket that can be taken off), Addie's sleeping bag and pillow that she must travel with at all times, and all over Addie. A quick bath (with Addie half asleep) and a pioneer style washing of blanket and pillow later we are back to bed until 7 am.
I told you traveling with our youngsters has been adventuresome lately.

After a great breakfast and a little exploration of the hotel lobby,
we were ready for the aquarium.

The pretty dome of the hotel lobby.

Addie and Drew playing in the telephone booth at the hotel.

The aquarium was great and Addie absolutely loved it! She just soaks up everything right now and can rattle off so many ocean and river animals.

Kyle touching the sting rays... Addie did not like to touch just look.

I loved the butterfly garden and Drew was fascinated with the mist that was spraying to keep the area moist and humid. As for Addie, it was a little to tranquil for her, so we quickly left.