Sea World San Diego

On the Harveys last full day in San Diego, we visited Sea World San Diego, sprawled along Mission Bay. There are three other Sea Worlds in the country, but Sea World San Diego is where it all began, by four graduates of my college alma mater. The first place I ever collected a real paycheck was at Sea World. I was a restaurant cashier. Growing up, my parents brought us on several Sundays. Things have sure changed! Now, season pass holders are finger printed and use machines for admittance. I am holding my finger to a machine just like the one to the right of me.
Our first stop was the dolphin show. Supposedly, a family from Las Vegas was picked to participate in the show from the audience. Unexpectedly, the mother fell into the huge 26 foot deep pool. We all gasped, and all fell for their trick. The mother is a new dolphin trainer at the park and continued the show. That was a bit of a let down. In my heart I wanted her to swim to the edge and for us all to clap because she bravely survived the trip and fall.

We saw Shamu's Believe, which is a choreographed and musically synchronized show with the orcas, or killer whales. "Shamu" is the stage name for the orcas, but Sea World San Diego actually has several orcas that perform under the stage name Shamu.
At Shark Encounter we walked through a 57 foot acrylic marine tube. Four types of lively sharks swam overhead. The kids loved it! Son2 sat on Hubby's shoulders and was awed by a close up view of the sharks. And it was so cool, both of the two year olds knew exactly what those things swimming with rows and rows of teeth were called, and that they could be dangerous. People often ask me if I think kids are too young to visit different attractions. My general answer is no!

The kids kept asking for the Sesame Street Bay of Play. We passed it on the way into the park, so we made our way back to the two acre play area.
The first ride the kids boarded was Oscar's Rocking Eel. I tried to board the ride until a ride attendant asked if I was pregnant. In my sweatshirt I suppose I could have passed for just FAT. But I lifted up my sweatshirt and showed off my bump to her and all of the other riders. Don't ask what got into me. But she apologized and told me I could not ride. I was actually shocked. The kids and the dads got a kick out of being whirled around back and forth, faster and faster.Next we rode Elmo's Flying Fish. And by "we" I do mean me, too. That is me making my shame, shame, shame sign. Now in a little defense of myself, the attendant did not say I could not ride. And the other way I weighed my decision was that at Legoland I am allowed to ride the helicopters and two airplane rides. And technically I am allowed to fly in a real airplane until I am 36 weeks. But obviously I know I am breaking the Sea World rules.I also jumped on Abby's Sea Star Spin in a teacup. Hubs gave it one whirl and I just did not think I could take any more spinning of the wheel since the teacups swirled on their own already. We took Son2 with us, since he does not mind spinning. Son1 hung out in a teacup with the Harveys who promised not to whirl and twirl their teacups.
About this time the Harveys wanted to see more of Sea World, and my boys wanted to see more of the Bay of Play. They headed for the polar bears, beluga whales, and penguins....

...while our kids explored more of the Bay of Play.
We met up again to see the manatees. I was so excited for Son1 who had learned so much about manatees last year. I promised him a trip to Florida one day to see the manatees, but I completely forgot that Sea World San Diego hosts rescued and rehabilitated manatees from Florida! The kids loved to see the manatees swim, and this is another animal the two year olds were familiar with before ever visiting. That was so sweet to see them recognize these graceful mammals!
We wandered to other outdoor exhibits, but one that we had pretty much to ourselves was the California Tide Pool. The kids touched sea stars and sea urchins in a shallow, yet extensive tide pool.But the most memorable exhibit was Forbidden Reef where we leaned deep into the exhibit to pet California bat rays and stare at moray eels. The men bought fish for the women and children. I love this picture of Son2 and me. You can't see our faces, but it makes me remember and feel his little body against mine, trusting that I would keep him dry and safe from the bat rays. Well, I did keep him safe, but I could not keep him dry!!!Those bat rays completely soaked us with their wide body spans. I changed both of my kids because they were soaked from head to toe. They really wanted our fish!!!

Lucky for us, there were nice hand washing stations at Forbidden Reef. But as I was propping Son2 up to wash his hands, two different dads came and ran their hands under the sink I was holding for my own child before I could even get his little hands under the water. Now they both said excuse me when they ran their hands under the water....but mama bear came out in me!! Not that I could not extend them some grace, BUT I finally told one father, "I am sorry but you are the third father that has pushed past me, and I have a two year old that needs his hands washed AND I am pregnant, SO I am sorry but you are just going to have to wait!!" That poor man. He was a little taken aback. But I wondered how chivalry works in their homes. Blah!

The day was SO FULL! Hubs and I loved the day at Sea World with the Harveys! Our last full day was bittersweet. And for the third time ever, Son1 cried the next day when company left. And the other two times that he cried happened to be for the very same guests. Sigh...until next year, Harveys. You were wonderful guests, as always.