Sea World -- Best. Place. Ever.

Today we headed for Sea World. WOW! That one word sums up our day. I'm not sure which of us enjoyed it more. All day long Kellan's eyes were huge, his face was full of wonder, and he would gasp with excitement at each new experience. Most of it wasn't captured on camera, as I was busy enjoying it as well, along with the fact that the watery setting (and the spring break crowds) didn't make for easy photos. Which is ok, because we'll be back again and again and again...

Some highlights of the day (this could get long!): The dolphin that stopped right at Kellan to look into his eyes and have a chat. He just stayed there clicking away. The look on Kellan's face was priceless. Feeding the sea lions, though after throwing a fish right into its mouth, Kellan decided that he would rather watch me do the rest because he didn't like the slimy food! The shows. Kellan loved the "Pets Rule" show (dogs and cats do tricks) and the Sesame Street 4D adventure. During the latter, he was squealing and screaming, sitting on the edge of his seat while he got to experience Elmo and all of the Sesame Street gang in 4D (Busch Entertainment Group bought the rights to Sesame Workshop and has put in some fantastic new shows, rides, and experiences at Sea World -- very classy and a real hit with the younger set). The shark encounter. I couldn't get over Kellan's continued gasps of, "OH!" with each shark that swam overhead. The penguins. Kel loved them. Even if he did keep calling them dolphins! Petting the bat rays, always one of my favourites, and Kel loved it too.

At the end of the day, very sunburned, full of frozen lemonades, and already excited about our next trip back, we stopped for Kellan to choose a souvenir (stuffed Shamu of course!) and drove home listening to him happily chatting away, telling "Shampoo" about all of the adventures that they were going to have together. Now, a few photos...

This is Kellan with the flamingos. He loves flamingos. Weird, but true. He even got to feed the flamingos today which was a huge treat.





Photo op at "Shampoo Stadium" before the show. It took him half a day to stop referring to Shamu as "Shampoo". It was so funny.





Turned the camera towards Kel to try and capture the moment. Didn't really work out. But, still, you can see that he's gasping in amazement at yet another whale trick.



Some of the trainers had very close personal relationships with the whales. They even dressed alike.





There were some pretty awesome whale antics on display.




Kel actually asked for a photo with the surfboard. That was a treat for me!




I really debated including this one. I'm pretty sure (judging by other photos from earlier this week) that I don't actually look this awful. Bad angle, sitting in a weird position, and sleeves rolled up because it was so darn hot. Look at my farmer tan!

Wild Animal Park

First off, let me say that I nearly trashed the lot of these. They aren't good. And they aren't worth posting. But, it was a fun day all around, one that I don't want to be forgotten, so I had to put something up here on our "digital scrapbook". This is my backup memory!

We went to the Wild Animal Park today and it was crowded. Spring break. Taking photos of a busy four year old boy isn't easy at the best of times. Add wall to wall people and, well, see below.

The best bits were the baby lions (so cute!), the adorable four week old giraffe, the butterflies, the carousel, the water play area (also known as the "adults get to enjoy a frozen lemonade and relax in the sunshine while you watch your kids wear themselves out area"), and the quiet drive home while Kellan napped. We're attempting Sea World tomorrow (and probably regretting it), but I don't expect to get any photos until we return for a second visit next week after all of the spring break holidays have ended. When we will finally have San Diego to ourselves again!

Balboa Park

Today we spent a fun (and long) eight hours at Balboa Park. We went to the science center, the train museum, rode the miniature railway, and went to the zoo. I'm exhausted. Kellan is still outside playing with the dogs. I have no idea where he gets the energy...

Riding the train:





Riding the skyfari at the zoo (the favourite activity each visit, year after year):



Yes, he is in the fountain. It was a hot day. The other kids were doing it. What can you do?

Beach morning

We spent a fun morning at the beach today. I was too busy digging in the sand and playing in the water to take very many photos, but here are a few cute ones.

Easter hike

After far too much food and chocolate and roasting in the sunshine as we relaxed out by the pool, Kellan and I decided to take a hike up the hill behind the house. There are some new lots going in up there (who wouldn't want to live here?) which means machines. And tractors. And not a soul around on Easter Day, so we had the whole construction site to ourselves. For a four year old boy, heaven.



















Vacation has been perfect thus far. We have skinned knees and sunburns, sore legs and full bellies. The weather is sunny and hot. The setting couldn't be more lovely. Vacation. Just what the doctor ordered. Or, would have, if I'd gone to the doctor to explain my long winter of depression, aggression, and general malaise...