The San Francisco Aquarium Debacle

I had this great plan. We would take the kids down to San Francisco, leaving in late morning, so tat they might both take an early nap in the car. Then, we would enjoy the newly reopened SF Aquarium- complete with wide-eyed wonderment, insistance on staying longer than planned, and contented slumber in the car on the way home. This is what actually happened:

We depart: no nap in the car for Eliot. Instead, he watches Cars multiple times on his new DVD player (trial run for airplane ride)
Arrive at SF: Eliot does not want to leave car. Eliot wants to watch Cars. Again. Scream, scream, whine
Get to Aquarium and pay an exorbitant amount to get in. Go down elevators to aquarium.
Eliot checks out first aquarium- pretty cool. Eliot checks out second aquarium- ehh. Eliot doesn't want to check out third aquarium. Turns his head and starts shouting "All done. All DONE. ALL DONE!!!" Ivy seconds his opinion in a less eloquent, but equally verbal fashion.
Assume he's just hungry. We have a fantastic lunch, which was a nice surprise since the cafeteria looked a little so-so from the outside. All attempts to re-enter aquarium after lunch are met with tantrum.

Ran around in the park for free for an hour, then back in the car for the drive home.
Time spent in car: 5.5 hours
Time spent in San Francisco: 2 hours

Oh well.

(My mom teaching Eliot to lengthen his stride)