A Dud Day

Thursday was our last day in Houston.  Since my researching was pretty minimal and my desire to research further was even less, we ended up at Hermann Park. . .next to the zoo and children's museum!  When I read 'playground for all abilities,' I thought it sounded magical and fantastic.  Turns out, it was pretty much just a regular old playground.  So, after battling Houston traffic and approximately 17 million cars and school buses for what amounted to about 20 parking spaces, I was a little disappointed.  And, because this was the way Thursday was going to go, Cora promptly skinned her knee and bled all over the playground!  Imagine my chagrin at having to tell the other mothers to have their kids watch out for my child's blood all over the slide.  For some reason, we had the playground to ourselves shortly thereafter! Hmm, weird!  Nothing like chasing after a bleeding toddler who is oblivious to the pain only to realize that you don't have any semblance of anything like a first aid kit.  I ended up bodily restraining a thrashing toddler who was still trying to figure out why I grabbed her off of the playground while I held a wet wipe to her profusely bleeding knee.  Good times!  I did manage to get a few pictures of the fun.

Up and down the slide.  Repeat ad infinitum.

Driving in Houston traffic.

In the tunnel.

After we'd exhausted the possibilities of the toddler park, I wanted to take Cora to ride the train.  I was sure she would love it.  She was so excited when she saw it coming.  We were making choo choo sounds and pointing and waving.  It was all smiles and unicorns until we actually got on the train.  She got so upset!  She was crying and screaming "Nokay! Nokay!"  (For those new to Cora vernacular, she made up the word 'nokay.'  It is the opposite of 'okay.'  Clever, no?!)  Suddenly I was having flashbacks to the zoo.  So, I shoved a paci in her mouth and held it there until she calmed down.  (Yes, I did force her to ride the train!  I'm mean like that!!)  She actually seemed to enjoy it after a while.  But, that doesn't mean she wasn't ready to get off when it was over.  So, Hermann Park gets no thumbs up.  Now, Houston people, here's my question:  Is the Downtown Aquarium worth the money?  I thought about going there, but it didn't seem like it would be that interesting for Cora, and I didn't want to spend that much money and chance her screaming 'nokay!' at all the sweet little fishies.  What do you think?