This basketball craze that has taken over Sam is even better than I thought! Not only has he now accepted the fact that he is of Chinese descent (like Yao Ming), he wants to know where all of the states in North America are located geographically so that he know where these teams are!

Let's see...

Detroit as in Detroit PISTONS

Miami as in MIAMI HEAT

Chicago as in Chicago BULLS

Phoenix as in Phoenix SUNS

LA as in the LAKERS

New York as in New York KNICKS

and of course, Houston as in HOUSTON Rockets!!

He said to us this morning, "Miami is a hot place". We were surprised that he knew. Apparently he had put 2 and 2 together - Miami Heat is called Miami Heat as a reference to the weather! Good thinking Sam!

I have to learn the names of the players and states of the NBA teams in a hurry too. Thankfully Pat is really into sports and Sam can have long discussions about team play with his dad.

We are buying Sam a map of the Americas and will hang this up on his wall so that he can work out the locations. If only he would take a similar interest in Australia...

I took the kids to the aquarium when we were in Melbourne last week. The Melbourne Aquarium had "touch pools" and the kids were allowed to touch and feel the starfish and other interesting 'coral like' specimen (this goes to show how much I know about marine life)

Sam was particularly interested in the poisonous jelly fish and killer sharks (surprise surprise). Eloise was just interested in the overall view as she is also very much into the new Barbie DVD "Mermaidia".

The thing to remember when one goes on an excursion with kids is not to be too stressed. I was glad that I took the time to explain, point things out and be in awe of the creatures that I see alongside them.  I was in a great frame of mind as we were on holidays!

We finished up buying a couple of items (limited to $9 or under) in the gift shop for souvenirs.

I think that we had a good time.