Surprise Road Trip- Sea World

Warning: On this day I was able to use my camera ALL day.
There WILL BE an overload of pictures in this post. 

You have been warned. 

Proceed at your own risk. 

Hollister's hearing aides broke recently and had to be sent in for repair. I received a call that they were ready for pick up. That meant a trip to San Antonio. One where it would be a 5-10 MINUTE pick up. It takes an hour and 45 minutes to get to the ear doctor. I decided to take advantage of this drive to surprise the boys. 

We headed out early, they thought we were headed to the ear doctor, which we were, but they didn't know that wasn't the only thing we were doing. 

After 10 minutes in the office, we were out. They did ask what we were going to do now. I just said, "we'll see". Hamilton was good with that, he played on his tablet. 

Hollister was a little more inquisitive, but gave up when I just ignored him and navigated through San Antonio traffic. 

Sea World was only 25 minutes from the ear doctor. When I started seeing signs I hoped Hollister wouldn't notice. He didn't see the first several. Hamilton had fallen asleep, so I was safe with him. 

With one exit away, Hollister saw the sign, "Sea World, next right"

He asked me if thats where we were going and I just smiled. 

He was beyond surprised. 

Getting there was really easy and we arrived just a few minutes after it opened, so there was no waiting involved. I planned well this time; tickets, parking and food passes. We were set for the whole day if we wanted. And we pretty much did. The park closed at 9pm and we literally walked out of the gates at 9pm. 

We began our day on a fast roller coaster. I learned throughout the day that my little Hamilton who appears to be fearless everywhere else is afraid of heights and very clingy in certain situations. But, he was a trooper and hung in there with us all day.
I got him on the FAST roller coaster, but only one time. 

We began the shows with a cute pet show in an indoor stadium. Very important in this HOT Texas heat. I was pleasantly surprised that they enjoyed it as much as they did. 

After lunch we watched the sea lion and otter show. SUPER cute and fun. We also loved getting "splashed " by them. Another thing I learned about my kids, they want to sit up close and personal for these shows! 

Next we had to bribe Hamilton to ride the Journey to Atlantis boat ride. 

This is where it was very evident he was afraid of heights. 

He rode it one time and that was it. 

So, later in the day, Hollister rode it by himself while we waited and just got wet from the aftermath! 

They both enjoyed doing that a lot. 

The rapid boat ride was more his speed. 

Pretty wet and still able to have a cold drink afterward,. 

The next show was the dolphin show. 

MY FAVORITE!!! 

I have always loved dolphins. 

The show had dolphins, but they incorporated acrobatics into it as well. 

It was very entertaining. 

Always in the splash zone!  

The boys also had a blast in the Sesame Street play area. Yes, Sesame Street.

Hamilton was adamant about no big roller coasters. 

These were more his speed.

Plus it had a splash park and it was perfect for cooling off. 

Joe cool here thought he was too old to get on a horse, so he rode in the car. 

Spinning fish ride. 

I don't do spinning things, so they did this one on their own. 

Hamilton had to go on this next ride. 

Hollister and I tried to talk him out of it, but he was adament. 

He doesn't look happy, but he is.

The problem was that each car had to be loaded and emptied one at a time.

Then the ride could start. 

Waiting, waiting.

Hollister is NOT a good waiter, for anything... 

love love love cooling off in the water. 

I did join in as well. 

Can you see the pure joy in their faces? 

This is the shamu roller coaster.

It is small and perfect for kiddos. 

They rode it a gazillion times. 

I love it because years ago I rode it with Hollister. 

Check us out from August 2008!!! 

The last show we saw was Shamu. It was Hollister's favorite. 

We definitely got wet during this show. 

It wasn't crowded, so the trainers moved us where we would get soaked. 

And WE DID! Those huge animals can move some water. 

The boys loved it! 

Sea World has another section called Discovery Zone where interaction with animals is possible.

We didn't get to that part until much later. 

Not much interaction, but still saw some great stuff.

Just in time as we were leaving.

I told Hamilton, "don't let him eat your cookies" 

and Shamu put his hands up like that! (HA!) 

And sassy pants here with all his cookies! 

We had to eat one more time before we left on our food passes.

We took it to go and this one was in charge of carrying the 

whale tail cookies! 

The day was of course fantastic and so worth the surprise for them!