Sea World: Shamu, Sharks, and Starfish

You can't go to San Diego without going to Sea World. Especially when you're 2! I think as much as I was looking forward to the race, I was looking forward to taking Emily to Sea World more. I just knew my little animal lover would be over the moon. And she was. While us grown ups were weary from the race the day before, Emily was rearing to go.

Emily loves her Uncle Chris and Aunt Holly. They were so awesome to take an extra day off work to stay & play with us. And yes, this picture is blurry, but that's kind how we felt at this point.
First thing we went to see Shamu. The sheer joy and awe on her face was priceless!

Love that my toddler was almost nose to nose with Shamu. So cool!

The whole gang waiting for the Shamu: One World show to start.

We had amazing seats! Front and center.

And front & center means WET! Major props to Grandma Dee for snapping this shot and hiding the camera in her purse before the tidal wave hit.

Emily liked Shamu... until he got her soaking wet! She did NOT like that part. So Uncle Chris protected her.

Did I mention she was a big fan of Uncle Chris? He was amazing too, carrying her on his shoulders most of the day... after running 26.2 miles the day before. What a great Uncle!

After Shamu we checked out the tide pools and the Starfish. My kid is afraid of nothing! She nearly jumped in.

Next, the aquarium.

Love this pic! Like I said, watching the awe on her face was priceless!

See a pattern here? Yep, more Uncle Chris.

We may have all gone for Emily's sake, but the big kids had fun too!

After lunch we went to the Dolphin show. We learned our lesson though after Shamu and sat way back, OUT of the soak zone.

In preparation for our trip Emily and I spent a lot of time on the Sea World website checking out the exhibits via short videos. The one I was looking most forward to was the Shark Encounter. They had this people-mover type belt that went through a tunnel under the sharks. It only took 90 seconds to get from one side to the other so that people didn't stop and hold up the line. I have to admit, I would have been that person. I could have rode that stupid belt all day. It was so cool!

By the early afternoon Chris and Holly had to head back home to get ready for work the next day. But the rest of us stayed behind. I mean, there were still rides to ride!

Yep, that's my "Try not to throw-up" face. Mommy doesn't do tea-cups.

This ride was only slightly less nausea inducing.

Ah, the things we do for our children. For the record we even waited an extra turn so that Emily could ride in "the pink one!"

Thankfully Aunt Alyssa came to my rescue and rode the 3rd and final ride with her.

Before we left the big kids had to ride one more ride. My Dad might have acted like he didn't want to be there, it was too expensive, too hot, yada yada. But looks who's smiling!

And laughing!

And we couldn't leave Sea World without a few souvenirs. Pink sweatshirt from Mommy and Shamu puppet courtesy of Grandma Dee & Grandpa. One happy girl.

And this little girl went ZZZzzzzzzzz... All the way home!