Sea World

 February School Vacation week had us head to Florida for a jam packed week.  After flying in the night before at midnight to avoid unpredictable weather cancelations, we headed to Sea World.  This was a great place spend a relaxing day strolling around without surprisingly long waiting lines given our late morning arrival after sleeping in.

 Journey to Atlantis was everyone's favorite save for Micah.  I was a bit surprised by the intensity of this flume ride.  Micah and I sat in the front and ended up soaking wet.  We dried off effortlessly given the delightful 80 degree day.  But the ride soured Micah on flume rides which we learned later in the week.

 Antarctica, Empire of the Penguins received many ohs and ahs from the girls. I think I heard Victoria say "their so cute" over and over again.  Our time there was short as we all felt as if we were actually in Antarctica and desperately wanted to go back to Florida weather.

 Carousels are one of Victoria's favorite rides no matter where we go.  Whether big or small, she loves them all.

 My favorite part of Sea World was their shows.  Giggles were abundant at Sea Lion High.  Before the show, the mime kept everyone entertained while awaiting the show to begin.  To our delight, the mime was even in the show.  The show centered on Seamore and Clyde getting their diplomas with a bit of mayhem from a fellow class mate. 

 Lunch time for Seamore and Clyde.

 A key player was the otter who stole the answer key for the final exam.

 The ultimate show was One Ocean showcasing the Orcas.  I still get shivers when I look at these pictures.  They are simply majestic.  I'm grateful that the Orcas are still part of SeaWorld so my children have a chance to see them.  This is the closest any of us will come to them.  No more Orcas will be added to Sea World so it is only a matter of time before this will be a memory.

 Because we arrived only minutes before the show, the only seats available were those in the splash section or high up.  We elected to sit in the splash section.  To showcase the strength of these animals, the trainers asked them to jump and splash us.  As soon as they began, the boys (Micah & John) went running for cover.  Ironically Victoria didn't blink and eye and sat there bouncing up and down excited to have the Orcas bring on the water.  Once Izzy saw Victoria wasn't moving, she was more inclined to stay put and even moved up two rows.

 When the show was over, one of the trainer brought his toddler son down to see the Orcas.  The Orcas keep swimming in the area close to them.  The kids hovered in that area to watch them a bit closer.

 For lunch we ate at the Sharks Underwater Grill.  On our way there we encountered the barracudas.  Always fun given our last names.

What a way to start off our school vacation week.  Shamu even came home with us.  Oh the looks we received everywhere we went including the flight home.