Seaworld, Roller Coasters and Paddle Boats

So I have kept my promise and am posting another blog before too much time has passed, but it has been a busy week. 

As I mentioned in my last post, we went to Seaworld last Saturday.  It was the first time LT and Wyatt have been there.  Seaworld is the best "aquarium" I have ever been to.  Such a cool place.  We did not cover even half of the park on this trip as we just bought season passes for LT's birthday so we want to go back again a few times before we cover the entire place.  This particular Saturday we saw the sea turtles exhibit and 3D movie, that was wonderful.  We also went into one of the aquarium buildings and it was neat to see all of the colors of the fish.  Here are some photos of LT and Wyatt in that exhibit.

Since we had given LT the season passes for his birthday, Tade was pushing the roller costers with him(Seaworld has two).  When we first got there he told LT that he needed to go on right away because the line would be too long later and he would love it.  LT was all about going on until we got right up to the ride and then he said no, he did not want to go.  I was so relieved as due to Tade's back condition he can no longer ride roller coasters and Wyatt is not tall enough. So, by process of elimination, that leaves yours truly to ride with him.  So we kept going after Tade gave him the lecture on "being a man".   About a half hour later we came to the second roller coaster in the park, again Dad tells him he should try it.  So LT says ok I will, my stomach did a flip flop.  In any event, I gave Tade my purse and glasses and followed LT trough the queues.  We get to the front and LT says, let's ride in the front car.  GREAT!  When we got on, I fastened our seatbelts, checked to make sure they were "really" fastened in my best OCD practice possible and we waited to take off.  I could not feel my feet by this time.  Wouldn't you know it, there was a delay in us taking off.  By the time the operators gave the thumbs up I could hardly breath.  

Truth be told I never really liked roller coasters.  My Dad used to take us to Six Flags every summer growing up and thought I just loved to ride The Demon.  Not really, in fact I was terrified throught the whole wait in line and throughout the red and white lighted tunnel shooting out water, every time.  I don't think the scary recordings playing as you waited in line to ride The Demon helped either.  We would get off and he would ask, "Wasn't that great?"  Sure I would say, but inside I was thrilled it was over, but I would do it again the next summer with him never wanting to say no.  Now I find myself in the same position with my own son, not wanting to say no.  I guess I have not always hated to ride roller coasters, but I could sure tolerate them better when I was a teenager.

Now back to this ride with LT at Seaworld....we climbed up the incline to the first drop, this is the part I hate the most on any roller coaster with a drop.  Don't look down, oh the anticipation.  Once we reached the top I thought, here goes nothing.  We went down and around through and back, upside down and with each twist and turn LT screamed with glee.  When we went upside down then I needed to close my eyes, but lucky for me I could not see too well as I had to take off my glasses!  Once we got to the end, LT looked at me and said "That was awesome!!!".  I smiled back and agreed just as I always had to my Dad as a kid.  In my head I thought I made it through another ride!  "Let's go again!" LT said.  "No, Mom needs a break," I replied.  So we headed off to lunch so I could get a beer and by this time I think Dad needed one too!

After lunch we did more exploring.  We encountered one of my favorite things....paddle boats.  Here is an image of the paddle boats at Seaworld.

When I was younger, I used to drag my sisters with me to a forest preserve somewhere in Lake County, Illinois to ride paddle boats they had there.  After awhile they made fun of me because I always wanted to go ride the paddle boats.  Lots of fun, I want LT and Wyatt to ride them the next time we go.  They have no idea what they are missing, right Jenny and Sarah????  It is strange that I like these things as generally I hate water because swimming was never really my thing, we will leave that subject alone for a future post.

Before we headed home for the day, we had to go and play some games, LT and Wyatt love to play games any where we go.  We came upon the old "Pick a Duck" game, but this one was "Pick an Octopus".  As a kid I remember this being my favorite carnival game to play because it was the only game I could win.  Sometimes I relive my childhood through my boys.

So our first visit to Seaworld was a success, but we still have so much more to see.  The kids are looking forward to going back and so am I. Next time I want to see a show! As for Dad, I think he will go back simply to watch me squirm when I have to accompany LT on the roller coasters.

As a final note, I am going to keep my blog name as "Adventures of a Hockey Mommy" for now, truth be told, I don't know how to change the title.  I am sure someone reading this does, so let me know how would you.  LOL!  Anyway, on that note I sign off for now by saying this,

LIVIN' THE LIFE IN THE MAN CAVE!

AG