Shamu...the Chick-Fil-A cow?

A few weeks ago we went to San Antonio for our summer vacation. We stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country, went to Sea World, and had dinner on the Riverwalk. When we were packing Alexander kept trying to add more toys. Seems he thought we were moving again and didn't want to leave anything behind. I guess 3 houses in 4 months is confusing.

The Hyatt was great, very family friendly. Kids under 4 ate free, the pools and lazy river were all only 3 feet deep, there was a playground in a sandbox, tricycles and bikes with training wheels, a kiddie beach with sand toys, and plenty of organized activities for the potty trained. (Maybe next year?) The best part for me...lots of young kids, babies, and pregnant moms.  Not a swimsuit model in sight!

Sea World was a lot of fun. We went the week before school let out, so there was barely a crowd. The kids fed the dolphins and sea lions, they splashed in the kiddie water park, and they begged to take home a few penguins. Everything was going well, until we went to the Shamu show. We got seats up close, but just outside the splash zone (so not into getting drowned by fish water...yes I know they are mammals, but you know what I mean...) It was hot, but at least shaded and we had cold drinks. Perfect, right? Until Shamu jumped out of the water and it was "the chick-fil-a cow story" all over again. Christian screamed bloody murder, buried his face in Murray chest and begged to go home. Murray had to take him out of the stadium and calm him down. Alexander, on the other hand, was so captivated he barely registered Christian's nervous breakdown. He never took his eyes off the show. Once Christian came back and understood that Shamu was staying in the water and wouldn't "get him" he watched, but with a tense face.

Now that Christian is safe in his own home he says he loves Shamu and wants to go back. He even sleeps with a stuffed one every night. Distance makes the heart grow fonder?

What made a bigger impression than Shamu were the women in black and white scuba suits that swam with the whales. Alexander was taken with them right away.  When my kids don't know some one's name they call them by the color of their clothes, so if a person is wearing green they are "the green lady." When the women in their black and white scuba suits were out of sight Alexander would ask loudly "where did that black lady go?" Nice. After 3-4 questions like that the name "Shamu lady" was born. We play "Shamu lady" a lot. We throw pillows on the floor and "ride" them, Bob the Builder sits on a stuffed Shamu's back and he's "Shamu lady" (poor Bob), and my favorite...when I wear my black bathing suit the kids hang on to me and I'm Shamu.  

I feel so good about myself in that bathing suit.
~J