Sea World: Sunday

Danielle finished her breakfast in the room Sunday morning. 

Isn't she a big girl?

 All three kids got to ride the cart back inside after we loaded the car.

 I wanted a family pic.  This was the best one.  So much for that idea.

 Checking out the rays.  It was a 'no touch hour' so they could only look.

My dad took these pics of the four of us on the Rio Loco.  Bradley and Gracie rode this ride SIX times (for the six year old) on Saturday, but we took no pics that day.  (All the grown-ups rode it at least once on Sat, but we rotated in and out so someone could stay with Danielle.)  We only rode it this one time on Sunday since we didn't want to be soaked for the drive home.

 Feeding the sea lions.

I don't know what Bradley was saying here, but I'm guessing it was something like "Grandpa, why are you sitting up there!  You shouldn't sit there!"  (My kids are bossy and think they know everything.)

 Grammy took Danielle to look at the birds after she freaked out at the sea lions.

When we were about ready to go we asked each kid what they wanted to do before we left.  Gracie wanted to go back and touch the rays.  She and Doug ran over there, since there were only 10 minutes left in the touching allowed hour.

Bradley wanted to ride the Shamu Express again.  I rode it with him while G was petting rays and then they rode it together.  Doug got some great pics.

 That's my girl with her arms up.  :)

 Danielle and I rode the carousel while the big kids were on the Shamu Express.

 When the big kids saw we were riding, they asked to ride one last time.

 On the way out, we saw the Shamu Santa.  Again Gracie was the only one interested in a picture.

It was a great weekend for all of us.  Exhausting, but great.  A big thanks to my parents for tagging along.  It was a lot easier with extra grown-ups.  Not to mention handy to have grandparents across the hall in the hotel that we could send kids over as needed. 

Sea World: Saturday

Bradley chose a weekend at Sea World instead of a birthday party this year.  Thanksgiving break is a great time to go to Sea World.  We found the temperature almost perfect and the lines for rides were all minimal or non-existent.  I highly recommend anyone in Texas go to Sea World in November.

Bradley asked to have his picture taken with the fish.

I think he was having a good time.

On his belly at the dolphin cove.

I love this one of Doug with all three, all of them on their bellies looking at the dolphins.

They had this poor person dressed up like a Christmas tree and on stilts available for pictures.  Gracie was the only one of our kids interested.

 We attempted to get a pic of all three in front of this tree made of poinsettias, but Danielle was absolutely not going for it.

Danielle did a lot of walking on Saturday.  She slept very well in the hotel that night.

Danielle loves birds, so the duck/flamingo area was one of her faves.

 Danielle is a big fan of Sesame Street, so we were excited to see Bert and Ernie...

 Telly and Rosita...

 and Elmo, Big Bird and Abby Cadaby.

 Unfortunately, it was a repeat of Halloween and she freaked. 

Notice how she has quite a grip on my shirt.

Bradley and Gracie waiting in line to ride the Shamu Express.

 This is a good shot of both the bruise Danielle got at our first pit stop on the way to San Antonio (she tripped over a guy's foot in the Whataburger in Colombus and hit her head) and the disaster that was her eating chocolate ice cream (check out all the chocolate on her shirt).

 The best shot of G & B on the Shamu Express.  They're in the second seat.  I love that Gracie's hands are up!

We stopped and paid a quarter to feed the fish.  Bradley and Gracie both threw fish food in the water.  (My parents were with us, and a huge help for things like holding B up to reach.)

I just love this pic of D.

And this one of Doug with both girls.

Candy Cane Forest was pretty at night.

The kids always love riding the cart at hotels. 

Gracie did a good job of holding onto Danielle.

Birthday pics

The night started with dinner at Olive Garden, Bradley's choice.  My parents and Doug's parents met us for dinner.  He opened the gifts from them at the restaurant.  After that, all but my dad (who had a tennis match) came back to our house for cake and presents.  This year Bradley chose to have a cookie cake.

Opening his favorite gift (a mini football).  Can you tell he was excited?

And opening a scooter, which he still isn't sure about, but will hopefully enjoy when he gets over being too scared to try it.

He said it was his best birthday ever.  :)

SIX!

Happy Sixth Birthday to my little man!  It's been a great six years.