Our Day at Sea World

When it comes to theme parks, I'm just a big kid. Getting up at 5:30am wasn't that great, but after the three hour drive from Lori and Jonathan's house, I began to get really excited when we started spotting signs for the Orlando area parks. I had vague memories of Sea World as my family spent Christmas week in Orlando in 1990, but walking through the main gate this time had a whole new feel. This time I was a mommy! Thank you Jonathan and Lori for picking Sea World as our destination because it was right up Philip's alley. He loves animals! The weather was beautiful, the kids did great for skipping nap time, and we have good memories.



Matthew holding two toddlers totally ready to take on Sea World!



Philip tries to pet a sting ray.



Philip and Hannah check out the wild life.



Philip demonstrates what an alligator looks like.



Philip and Matthew look at the penguins. I didn't know penguins are only in the South Pole!


This was so funny. When kids touched these hand shapes on the wall, a movie above would begin playing. I saw Philip touching it and thought how neat that he knew what to do. The funny part came when I noticed that he was saying, "High five" as he was slapping the wall!


The Dolphin Show was my favorite part of the day. It was the story of a girl's dreams as she had dolphins and birds flying outside her window. There were amazing performers who dove from high platforms and swang on trapeze-like swings. The music almost made me cry!


The kids' eyes were glued to the dolphin show. Well, at least for this second when I took the picture.



Yeah, lunch time! We enjoyed hotdogs and chips from the Sandbar Cafe.

After lunch, we headed to our next show: Shamu! This was pretty good. Just watching the trainers swimming with such huge animals, I wondered, "Does Shamu ever have a day when he doesn't want to perform?" Sadly enough, I guess the crowd in San Diego yesterday saw that happen when Shamu dragged his trainer underwater.



We enjoyed one ride, the Jazzy Jellies (balloon ride meets tea cups) in the kiddie area, Shamu's Happy Harbor. Hannah and Philip loved the ride, but were a little frustrated waiting our turn in line.



Next stop, the Wild Arctic! Wow, a sleeping seal!


As the day grew to a close, the park's Christmas lights provided a new atmosphere.

A Brooks' family portrait in front of the Christmas tree.



More Brooks'.



And more Brooks'!


Although it had been a beautiful, sunny, mid-70's day at Sea World, we were fortunate to be at the park for their Holiday Celebration. At 7:45pm, Jonathan found us a perfect waterfront spot to watch the show. Christmas music filled the air as colored lights lit up the fountains.


The excitement escorted us all the way out of the park as imitation snow (mini-soap bubbles) was blowing from the rooftops of the shops. It was everywhere, but this picture doesn't do it justice. Maybe we'll have a chance to see real snow before the winter's over.