Sea World!

Oh yes, you know we had to get a season pass to Sea World!

Alana wanted to go for her Birthday, but we ended up going on the Sunday after. I should probably tell you about her birthday, too. We took her down to the Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk. Where we parked before was full and we had to go find a parking garage. It ended up being pretty far down the walk and the river walkway is so narrow, you can really have a stroller on it, especially not my big double jogger. That meant walking for my lazy kids, which means alot of carrying for mommy and daddy. Oh yeah, carrying my whiny Collin in 100+ degree weather with heels. Fun, NOT! I can't say I like him walking either...that water made me pretty darn nervous and he is going through a phase where he won't hold my hand anymore.

We got to the restaurant (finally) and I had made reservations earlier in the day, but I think we would have been fine without them. It was kind of a weird building, very small inside and cramped feeling. If you are claustrophobic, it is not the place for you. We all got some "special" drinks, alcoholic for Joe and I! They came in cups that had lights on the bottom and you take them home. Kids got blue icee drinks with a frog on the top. You don't want to know how much that cost. Food was mediocre, obviously you aren't there for the food :) Then we made our trek back through the heat to get to the car. It was a warm fuzzy feeling when we got to our parking garage and some kid was being arrested. Our car was hot, but fine.

We went home and had Alana's Hello Kitty cupcake cake that she picked out. Then opened her presents. I have had these presents for her since Black Friday or before! Nice to finally give them to her :) She got a whole set of almost all the Disney princesses and a Tinker Bell tea party set. She was sent some boy prince dolls and a groom from great grandma, too! She says she needs more of the prince's to go with the princesses (to those who may need to get her a gift in the future). She now has Prince Eric for Ariel, Prince Charming for Cinderella and a Groom for wedding bride barbie. Overall she seemed pretty satisfied with her birthday celebrations.

Okay, back to Sea World! We bought our season passes from the kiosk machines and headed in. It was a HOT one. We put on our sunscreen and head to the wholly grail of all rides, (to Alana at least) Shamu roller coaster! A boy at one of the hotels we were staying at told her about this awesome roller coaster, and she was dead set on riding it! I wasn't sure if Collin was going to like it, but he was ready. We all went on it and they had a blast. When it came time to get off, Collin kicked and scream his way down the walkway because he wanted to ride it again. I told him maybe later, but he wasn't buying it. We then tried to ride the carousal, but it wasn't working right. Joe went off with Collin to climb the ropes course and I went with Alana and we did the ropes course together. She was a little hesitant because she thought she would fall through, but got over that pretty quickly. We saw from the top that there were some Sesame Street characters down below and made our way down.

Oh man, she loved them! She gave them hugs and was just smiling and giggling. It was so darn cute! We saw they were having a show soon and tried to find Collin and daddy, but Collin was having too much fun playing in the water. Alana and I went back and took a seat. They invited all the kids to come up and stand at the base of the stage. I didn't think she'd really go without me, but she did after I told her I'd wait right there for her. All the characters came out and she was in awe. She ate it up and was loving every moment of it. Abby Cadaby came and gave her a huge and she was practically glowing with delight! We went and found Collin and daddy and we all played in the water to cool off. By this point, Collin is exhausted and getting a little cranky. We went to get some drinks and try to find a show to watch. We saw a little bit of the boat with jet skiers show from the side and then head to the dolphin and beluga whale show. The show was fantastic with swimmers and birds, dolphins and the whales! Alana loved it and Collin enjoyed parts, but he was hot and over tired.

After that, we walked around to get Collin to sleep in the stroller. It didn't take long! He was out and we went into the penguin exhibit and saw most of the park. We went to some building and they told us they were bringing out a baby alligator that we could pet and hold! So we waited and Alana and Joe held the little alligator. Alana was now pooped out by this time. She fell asleep in the stroller and we made our way back to the car.

They have a waterpark area that we didn't even see or get to! We plan to go there tomorrow for Joe's b-day. We went back on Thursday night after we had dinner and just saw Shamu Rocks show. That was kinda cool to just drop in and catch a show. The kids loved it and I have to say it was quite impressive. I forgot how big Killer whales are! I did notice how the trainers no longer swim with the Killer whales and assume it is because of that accident Sea World had a few years back. That is too bad. I can't wait to go back when someone can watch the kids while Joe and I go on the BIG roller coasters! I'm sure we will have plenty more adventures there this summer.