Splash!

 

 

We got up super early, 5am, like we did every morning, and went to breakfast up the road in Pacific Beach.  Then, we took a stroll on the pier and beach and headed off to see Shamu so Lilly could get splashed.

 

Whole fam, Crystal Pier. Surfers in the water

Amelia, taking a bite out of crime

Lil reading the paper

Crystal Pier

Lilly and Amelia checked, through the slats, to see if we were on water or sand.

Lilly flapping her wings like a pelican.

Petting a dolphin

it was so fun to watch Amelia.  It took everything to keep her from going all the way in the water.  She splashed around and called out to the dolphins "come here buddy"

Lilly had a special bond with Shamu

Lilly loved the bearded dragon.  We saw him getting acclimated in the lawn and had to go back later to pet him.

petting the starfish and horseshoe crabs

Finally getting to pet the bearded dragon

Beluga whales in the artic

Lunch break.  After a morning of walking on the beach and Sea World, we went to lunch.  The girls fell asleep, like they did every day, as soon as we left the parking lot.  So, Steve and I would go somewhere for lunch and eat in the front seat while they napped.  Then, we would feed them when we went back to the park (or other afternoon activity).  We loved in-n-out, even I ate a burger!

more time petting the dolphins.  The girls said they felt like plastic...they did

Anxiously waiting to get splashed by Shamu.  We, foolish parents, went along with their idea and sat front row in the splash zone.

Show is starting, grils are playing in the fountain.

C'mon Shamu, splash us!

Flop

Splash

Then, Shamu sat right in front of the girls and let them have it.  He flapped his tail back and forth ~10 times.

The result was 2 very wet, very upset girls and one very stinky dad.

Amelia took off her shirt during the show.

Petting the starfish in the tide pool

Lilly still sulking.

Sea Turtles

Lilly knew that the starfish had to stay under the water to breathe.

gulls walking above us

We fed fish to the seal lions, being careful and avoiding sneak attacks from the gulls.

Lilly was very emotional when we had to leave, crying with big tears asking "what's Shamu going to do tonight?"

Cleaning off the fish gut stink.  The house had a jet tub and we made a ton of bubbles.

Relaxing in front of the fire pit before bed.  Amelia was very careful of the 'hot fi-ya'.