One field trip, two Exederin and three million hugs

Last week, I went on a field trip with Emma (3rd grade) to the Dallas World Aquarium.  It was way more impressive than I remember it -- probably because the last time we went (several years ago), we had recently been to the Baltimore World Aquarium, which is world class.  Since I had no recent comparisons this time around, I thought it was great.  Plus, they may have added some things since my last visit -- my memory being what it is, I would have no idea.

But the aquarium is not really the point here.  Emma wanted me to come.  She loved that I was there, she loved showing me off to her friends, she preferred hanging out with me over hanging out with her friends.

I know from personal and somewhat bittersweet experience that this will not last.

Therefore, I willed myself to enjoy every crazy and loud and headache-inducing minute of it.  It worked -- it was awesome.

Emma is fond of walking up to me in the kitchen or family room and and giving me the world's greatest hugs.  It's truly heavenly.  As she was hugging me this morning, this is the conversation we had:

Me:  Emma, I love love love your hugs.  Do you promise to hug me for the rest of your life?

Emma:  Yep

Me:  Always and forever?

Emma:  Yep.

Me:  Cross your heart, hope to die, stick a million needles in your eye?

Emma:  Yep.

Me:  Even when you're 16?

Emma:  Yep.

Me:  Even when you're 14?

Emma:  Well, probably not then.

Besides being talented and smart and beautiful, Emma's powers of observation are well-honed.

Here are a few pics of our day (completely worth the 2 Exederins and shockingly costly Aquarium ticket).