Sea World offers an Annual Homeschool Day where homeschool families can enjoy the animal exhibits and educational programs during the off season. Thats a long sentence to clarify that the roller coasters & dip-n-dot stands were closed when we visited the park on Thursday.
The minute I heard about the Sea World Homeschool day I was sold on the idea of a day trip to pet dolphins. At the last minute Brad was unable to come with us so we asked Aunt Rach if Hunter would like to ditch preschool for a day and join us. His answer : I love Kate.
It was a busy day. We had only a few hours to see all the open exhibits before lunch. At lunch time the exhibits closed and the afternoon was set aside for the educational "shows". We walked a ton! I am so proud of these kids with their short legs.
We wanted more dolphin time and ran all the way back to the front of the park to see them instead of going to the flamingos at the last minute. we were able to spend 10 minutes of good time with the dolphins with out the pushy crowds.
Swinging by the souvenir shop for an Orca shaped ice cream bar...kind of like DQ dilly bar....we headed back to the far side of the park for lunch and the shows.
By this time we are hot and sweaty and aunt Carrie has little to no photos proving we were at Sea World. Let me repeat: we are hot and sweaty....and cranky. When I asked for a quick photo the kids were not inclined to oblige. So I said, "Can you go over there and look cranky?" this is what I got....
Stinking cute.
The day was a success.
Kate and Hunter both loved the shows and were just amazed by the beluga whale. One of my favorite parts of the day happened at the beginning of the Beluga Whale show. The Announcer came out and asked "who here is home-schooled?" and everyone raises their hand...
The look on Kate's face as she looked around was priceless. Her eyes were wide and she exclaimed about how many kids were home-schooled like her. It was like I was watching her brain make the connections right in front of my eyes.
At the same moment I was very aware of my nephew who is in preschool and not raising his hand. He looked at Kate and then me - right at that moment the announcer asked, "How many of you are here with your family?" It was perfect timing. I said, " Thats you Hunter! Your here with me and I am your family" He giggled brightly and jumped up and down waving his hand in the air.
The announce then told the kids to thank their families for bringing them to Sea World and making the choice to homeschool - He also said, "Isn't it awesome that you have this special opportunity!?! While all the other kids are in a school classroom today, you are out in the world. The world is your classroom to learn in and today Sea World is your classroom."
Kate really keyed in on this and repeated it in her stories about her favorite part of the day. It was such a sweet moment for me to see her so excited to be home-schooled and Hunter to be so giggly about how we were family.
Kate has decided that she still wants to be a veterinarian - and ocean veterinarian.
Enjoy the photos from the day.
hunter waited a long time for people to move so he could see these poisonous frogs. kate and hunter found a little nook that no body else found - here they watched the new seal pups play + fight.
This is Kate incredibly excited for the Seal who is learning to do tricks. The Seal missed the first two signals but got it on the third and Kate started clapping wildly for her.
Oliver the baby beluga is only 4 years old - just like Hunter.
