My Sea World Adventure: Traveling as a Family of Six

First trip as a family of 6.

After much talk of actually going on vacation, we took a road trip to Sea World San Antonio. It was great. Really. It was a short  2 night/3 day adventure, only involving one day at the park. I have written a post about tips for traveling to Disney and found myself kicking myself for not remembering a couple of those tips.

Let's start with the drive. Not bad at all. Helped the that 2 of the kids have been potty trained for well over a year. The other 2 in diapers. No real emergency stops. We left mid afternoon, perfect time for little ones to nap in the car. We got to the hotel in time to check-in, unpack and get some dinner. Rudy's BBQ was just down the street. Can you say yumm?! A big, tasty mess. The girls tore up the 1/2 chicken we got. Seriously, I think I got 2 bites. Since we were outside at picnic tables, I didn't have to worry about noise. That place is right off the freeway and loud anyway. Olivia turned heads when she faked drinking my beer. I wanted to die. I turned to get plastic-ware, seriously 2 steps away from the table. I turn to see that she picked up my bottle and had her head all the way back like she was chugging. The cap was still on, not an open bottle. While people at the next table looked on with alarm, then amusement. I responded with horror, then embarrassment. I didn't see the humor until I was well-fed and rested, a few hours later.

Woohoo, big beds!

Little Rina, taking notes.

The hotel. I am running the risk of sounding snobbish here but here it goes. During the first 9 years of our marriage, Sidney and I traveled quite a bit. We were a dual income household with no kids. We stayed at pretty nice hotels. Traveling as a family of six, as a single income household, quite different. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Staybridge Suites, except for the lack of non-slip lines on the tub floor. It fit the travel budget nicely. A hot breakfast was included in our stay. Reminiscent of my dorm days, we stood in line to make our own waffles. There was a variety of cereals, breads, fresh fruit, good coffee. Our suite had a kitchenette, fridge, dishwasher, 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a living area. I just kept wishing that the room would magically grow in size and that the hotel had quieter clientele. There, I said it.

Group hug from Zoe.

Zoe loved Nico!

1! 1 hug! Ah, ah, ah!

They originally had us on the 5th floor. Which would have been great for not hearing other people's kids stomp on the floor all night long. However, I agreed with Sidney's request to move us to the first floor and close to the exit. Made unloading our brood and bags mush less hectic. We didn't know that you had to request maid service on the weekends but they came to our room to empty trashcans right away when we called. We only stayed 2 nights, so that was not a big deal. While we were literally down the street from Sea World, the shuttle was a nice free perk. It wasn't really the $15 we would save in parking. Even though it wasn't too crowded, there is something to be said for being dropped off and picked up right in front of the park. Especially picked up, not having to walk any further than that sidewalk after pushing two occupied double strollers for 5 hours. Yes, totally worth it. I was exhausted. Sixty plus pounds, yea, exhausted.

Cookie's got my sister!!

Livvy and Ernie. Her favorite.

All warmed up now.

Sabrina is in awe. Her favorite!

Hugs from Abby!

Sesame Street gang was the biggest thrill for my girls. I am telling you, it almost rivaled Disney World. Dare I say, better in some ways. Smaller park and more accessibility.  We saw them more than once, more than enough photo ops. Elmo Rocks show was great. There is space in the front for kids to stand by the stage. High fives galore from characters, from the stage. Really, we could not get more of a rock star experience at this age if we tried. This was not in our plan. We just wanted to beat the summer heat and crowds. It was a stroke of luck that we made it the month this Just For Kids festival was taking place.

Yes, she is still 1 yr old.

Zoe during Elmo Rocks show

Meal plan, worth it.  We were only there one day. It costs $30 something for adults and $18 or $19 for kids. You just have to fall in line, pick 1 entree, 1 snack & 1 drink, and show your band. It was the typical nuggets, fish filets, burgers and pizza. There was one restaurant, Sea Star, I think that offered a healthy alternative like wraps and sandwiches. BUT at every restaurant except for Rosie's there was fresh fruit as a side choice. The big clear cup full of strawberries, orange slices or grapes. We would fall in line twice to get more fruit because my girls can't ever get enough. I felt like this somewhat balanced the nuggets. Oh, and you can take the food into all the shows, Shamu, Elmo Rock, wherever. We were there before the summer crowds and on a Sunday, so lines were not long anywhere. This was an easy way to eat and decrease what I had to pack in my bag. Now, if we were going for a few days in a row, I am sure I would have been tired of the same old choices but for the one day the meal plan was money well spent.

What were the tips I forgot? A nightlight and ziploc bags. Those orange slices, strawberries and grapes travel around the park better in ziploc bags than in an open cup. Especially in the hands of toddlers. And the nightlight, slapping forehead. Duh! Whenever we travel while the kids are little we will always stay in a suite set up. Next time!

Franklin is a new regular.

Waiting for Shamu.

All in all, it was great get-away! I highly recommend it. If we were to stay another day, I think we may have taken in the San Antonio Zoo or the Alamo. When the kids are older, Fiesta Texas. But we are just getting our feet wet with our family trips. This was a good training exercise. :)

You're killing me, Smalls!

Getting Daddy's autograph. 

Bouncing break.

2nd attempt at a Bluebonnet pic.

After bath fun, actually sitting still.

Note: Started this yesterday in hopes of getting a March entry in, just under the wire. Didn't make it.

I have said it before and I will say it again, my girls are just too much. The four year olds definitely are more articulate and that makes them gigantic smarty pants! Olivia keeps threatening to tell on Bubbie to me. If Bubbie does something that Olivia thinks I would not like, she says "I'm going to tell." and something along the lines of "She'll see when she gets home". Exact wording escapes me. She even tells on her Daddy, well she did once but it was hilarious. They were upstairs cleaning up the play room and Daddy threw something across the room. This is a "no" in Mommy's rules of order. Throwing is for outside. So, Livvy yells down to me, "Mommy! Sidney is throwing!". I corrected her to call him Daddy, of course. Then, to not tattle. But really, I was cracking up. If only she recognized this authority as much for her than for others. ~sigh~ She is going to be t-r-o-u-b-l-e. But I am not telling you anything you don't already know. In fact, while I sat in this chair typing she lowered the chair by pushing the lever. Then, hear, "Oops, sorry". That and "it wasn't me" are phrases I am getting all to familiar with, accompanied by her cute little smirk. Aye-aye-aye.

This is the girls telling me
"take a picture".

Big sis, lil' bro fun.

Yee haw!! School trail ride day.

Mia, is proving to be more and more like her control-freak momma. If things are not going according to our set rules. She not only corrects the person, usually Livvy. Often, Sabrina. From time to time, Daddy. But when said person does not comply she gets very distraught, tears commence then the heartfelt tattle, that comes out in sobs... "But mommy, Livvy is sitting too close!!!". I am in denial and convinced myself that it is all out of concern for her sister's well- being and eyesight. At the same time, she is growing into such a little girl, she's not my cute toddler anymore. Still cute, you know what I mean. While Livvy is the prankster, Mia is really just my giggler. You could use her as a plant in any audience. She may not be telling the jokes but she enjoys them. Just this past week,I was talking to my sister and said "I don't know, I need to google it". She was next to me, fell on her back, kicked her legs, and laughed uncontrollable. Every now and then, you would hear her say "google?!", then continue her hysterical laughter.

Look at my arabesque. 

Parkway Egg hunt

Monkeys jumping on the bed.
Dance Works.

Miss Sabrina, she will not be left out. She is talking so much and very declarative. Boy, can she belt out those no's. But what I think is even funnier are her yesses. The y sound is not articulated very well yet. So, now it comes out "shh-yes. I find it almost as cute as her exaggerated nodding that she used to do just a couple short months ago. Sabrina while she is catching on to signing and her vocabulary is growing, she is not yet two and still has trouble communicating sometimes. So, she chooses, the slamming things down, or hitting you when she doesn't get her point across. Now, I know I am not supposed to say this but her upside down smile, yes, her frown, is soo darling. I sometimes just sit back and watch her in her hissy and think "she is so darn cute". I do fear that she is following in Livvy's footsteps and has a natural ability to taunt. She singles out Mia when she is not following in her every footstep. Love/hate relationship? Hmmm. Something to think about.

Got that egg!

Mia and Rina holding hands
at Parkway festival.

Rina, pulling Livvy to help her swing.

Nicolas is growing way too fast!! Again, you know this. My big guy is crawling, really crawling. Up on those hands and knees, he is babbling up a storm. The other day he actually said "banana" for me and Mia. Yes,  I know he was only repeating the sounds we were saying. But it was clear as day and made us laugh for a good 5 minutes, while we tried to get him to repeat it. His smile, oh, the joy in his smile. There just are no words. I can't explain how his whole face lights up, I mean his cheeks glow. I know I sound crazy. Sabrina is so his guardian. In the car, she watches him from her car seat and repeats "Hi, baby. Hi baby Las" over and over. When he cries, she pats his back, "sh, sh, sh, it's okay, baby Las". ~sigh~ Love these babies!!!

Action shot.

Sitting up from belly,
on his own.

Buddies,  Rina and Nico.

Laughing, does that a lot.

There's that glowing smile.

 Here are just some random favorite pics of mine over the last month. Thanks for indulging me.

Bugle fun at dance class.

Just can't keep eyes open with a ball
headed straight for her.

Cuddling with mommy.

No, Mommy. I got it.

Bouncing eggs!

Confetti eggs. Yay! 

Baby down!!!

Uncle Eric, there's something on your cheek.

Thanks, Livvy. I like it.

This is how we roll. Walking around the hood.

Our of the mouths of my growing babes!

I have had a million (it seems like anyway) little anecdotes and I post lots on Facebook but forget to go back and write them down somewhere else. So, here is a short sample of the little gems that come out of my girls' mouths or a synopsis of the pictures when they are caught in the act. Can't wait to see what Nicolas has in store for me.

Little man, just shy of 7 months.
Picture by Bubbie

You know you must look tired when you hear your 4 year old say, " Mommy, I found your pants". For the record I was wearing some, but she brought me my pajama pants.

Dory helps out.

Nemo is never far behind.

They are singing to everything, literally anything becomes a song. For example: "Put it back, put it back, put it baaaaa- aaaack". Complete with bow and all, after the big finish. The item that was requested to be put back may or may not have made it. In addition to that, they mix up words from different sources. While playing, some may call dramatic play, I heard "42 wallaby way ... pause ... and liberty and justice for all".

Look at our boat!

Olivia got in trouble *gasp*. Shocker, I know. She was pushing her little sister, hard. We were having our calm down talk after her time alone in her room had been served. We talked about how we treat people we love and who was watching. I mentioned God, and she adds "And Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the angels", Advent activities still fresh on our minds. I answer, "Yes, Olivia."  I am already starting to crack. The conversation goes on, "We want to make them proud. So, how do we show the people we love, that we love them?" I was hoping for "Be nice" or "help". Olivia's answer, "Make them bread." Didn't see that one coming. Yes, I laughed.

Livvy on Photo Booth

We headed to the beach for the first time in ages. It was a total impromptu trip, instigated by my parents. We are getting out of the car and Mia pipes up with this question, "Mommy, am I brown and is Livvy white?". I wasn't sure I heard that correctly, so, I asked her to repeat it. She repeated it. And I laughed, "I guess so." Not good enough. She asked again, this time I said yes. She was satisfied.

CHEESE! Livvy, always camera-ready.

More water!

Play ball!

Just chillin'

During the water fiasco, they proclaimed to be cleaning. But then there were many statements about "being friends together". Not sure how the two fit together but I may never understand 2 four year olds' and a 1 year old's combined logic.

Just after being caught.

Wardrobe change, after the water incident.

While making our beds the other day, I told Livvy to take all of her stuffed animals off her bed to straighten the sheets. She said "No!! Then it's gonna be crazy!" Not sure what's gonna be crazy but I eventually convinced her that was the way to go.

Monkey see ...

Oliva was trying to go to the restroom, only time it is okay to close the door as Sabrina tries to help by handing them toilet paper. The issue there is she isn't great at tearing it off the roll. Mess. Anyway, I hear Olivia screaming while Mia knocks on the door "I'm trying to have some privacy!". Mia knocks again. Olivia "I need privacy!". Mia knocks again, this time saying "Sabrina just wants to see how you're feeling!"

Those are some of the most recent gems. I will try to write down more often, as I am sure that I am missing some doozies. As a parting gift, I give you yes, more pictures!

Look at my heart! Very precise.

Sitting up!

Mr. Potato Head

Favorite new pic by Candace

Yes, she is holding his own bottle!!