Sea World

We've spent virtually every weekend looking at houses since we've been in LA. To be honest, it has become a bit emotionally draining and annoying. With an offer in on a house (and being told the sellers were "out of town" and unable to respond until Monday), we decided to take a break from the grind and do something different.

We've been trying to get down to San Diego for a trip to Sea World as we got a wonderful surprise from GrandMary for Christmas in the form of season passes (they have a special where if you buy one day, you can come back all year for free!). We've hesitated in the past because we haven't been able to muster up the energy on a Thursday night to prepare for a "weekend away", etc. So this weekend we decided not to plan and just see how we felt! :) So Friday night we decided that we'd drive down there on Saturday when it was time for Kacie to nap (so she could sleep for most/all of the trip), spend 4-5hours and check it out, etc., and then drive back when the park closed (7:30pm). Well, the day really couldn't have worked out better. We did just that...got there in time for a 2:30 Shamu show and by 6:30 it was getting cold and we were all getting tired so we made our way to the car, got in our PJs (ok, Kacie did) and made our trek home.

We had such a fun time and are excited to go back...and it's always nice to know you can make an adventure out of virtually nothing. :) Kacie enjoyed watching the shows - she was very focused and well-behaved and seemingly entertained. She did not want to do any "hands-on" type things like put her hand in the tide pools or feel the bat eels...but she did stand at the aquariums and look at the big fish (and turtles and sharks, etc.) and seemed to like them a lot. She is very much an "observer" and as I've said before, a very cautious child.

Here are some pictures from the day.
Kacie sleeping on the way down:

Wow, Mom, look at the hundreds of strollers!! Heading to Shamu show:

Watching intently (and clapping!):


Hi Shamu!

Heading out of Shamu Stadium...this was the first time Kacie actually ASKED to hold hands...and then decided she'd rather walk alone.

In one of the aquariums:

Wooooow, so many flamingos!!

Look!

One of Mommy's favorites, the penguins:

Kacie found and liked the stuffed penguins (but she did not get one!)

Walking away from the Bat Eels...not a fan.

At the dolphin show:

Checking out the sea lions and otters:

There's one who just climbed up to the top

Winding down:

Baba Joannie gave us some stuffed animals that used to belong to Haley and Ashley and one of them is a "Shamu". This has become Kacie's newest friend. Last night she wanted to sleep with him and this morning when she woke up, she was feeding him/her water from her sippy cup. (I could see on the video monitor!!) Really quite cute.