Sea World San Antonio

We couldn't leave San Antonio without a trip to Sea World - the number 1 attraction for families. It was awesome. Of course the biggest stars are the killer whales, but this year the Shamu show was different:
NO trainers in the water.
This time last year a killer whale at Sea World grabbed its trainer and drowned her in the pool. That's all I could think about when I was watching this show. Josh and I came to Sea World a few years ago, and the trainers were in the water with the whales, swimming on their backs, standing on their fins and noses doing tricks...but this year all the training was done from the outside of the pool.But on a happier note, here is a proud mom and her new baby whale, born just last year, and already very good at her tricks. It was still a fun and impressive show. The whales are just amazing.
And these pictures sum up how the girls felt about the show.
Scarlett: mildly amused
Lydia: mildly frightenedClaire: pissed off at the whale for splashing her (and we were 5 rows up from the splash zone). Those whales have some powerful tails.

I was surprised at how timid the girls were around the animals. I was so excited for them to feed the dolphins, but they were too scared, and just wanted to watch them from the side.We took in a couple other shows - Azul, which featured dolphins, a Beluga whale, and acrobats/divers, and then the Cannery Caper, a comedy sketch that featured sea lions as detectives.Claire kept saying "there's the naughty mouse!"...which was not a mouse, but an otter...which I guess looks like a large mouse.Scarlett actually watched the shows. She really enjoyed being out of her stroller for a change :)

Later when it got hot, we headed over to Sesame Street's BAY of PLAY, which was essentially a large water playground, with some kiddie rides and a Sesame Street Show.Lydia said this was her favorite part of the day:(Zoe, one of Elmo's friends on Sesame Street)

Then, to wrap up the day we took turns on the rides with the girls. First, mommy on the carousel.

Then daddy took the girls on the Rockin Wave ride.

By this time, daddy was sunburned on his neck, so he had to wear his collar up! Lydia was pretty tired after waiting in line in the heat.
But Claire was all smiles :)

They were worn out, so we headed for the gift shop and then home. They each picked out a beluga whale, and they were making their whales do flips all night in the hotel room :) Then they cuddled up with them for bed.

All in all, a great day.