So back in March Abbey asked me to take several days off in April so we can take advantage of spring break. She wanted to go to Niagara Falls but I wanted to go some place warmer. We didn't talk nor plan much for many weeks and suddenly when I got home on that Wednesday before my vacation starts I got a nice surprise.
I opened the door around 5pm and she tells me she want to go to Sea World and if I can ask my boss to take one more day since she want to go to Florida for four days. I was a little surprised and immediately thought that we needed to pack if we were to go on that night since nothing was planned, packed, nor any place booked to sleep. She also told me that the missionaries were coming over with an investigator as well. I was like WHAT THE... This is while she's cooking dinner for the guests. I was like if they are coming for dinner, there's no way we will make it to Sea World on time since it's a 14 hour drive there. So I was a little overwhelmed and not knowing what to do since dinner's all cooked and missionaries are coming over.
So I decided OK if we are going tonight, we needed to change plans just a bit. I told her to pack the food and call the missionaries that this time they will be doing take out from our house. We still need to pack everything from clothes, to food for the long drive, to sunblock, to their sleeping blankets..and most importantly book a place to sleep, then double/triple checked everything if we want to make this trip happen and leave on a decent time. So just like that the missionaries showed up half an hour later to get their take out and off we went packing!First things first plan where we were going to stay, what we want to see, when to see them, how we can get any discounts and/or deals for Sea World, hotel, food, other entertainment. I called the hotel in Florida where we actually got a booking about discount tickets while Abbey ripped apart our house to get out all the summer clothes enough for 6-8 days, double stroller, all kinds of whatever food we have in the house, and a small med kit. By 9pm, we were finally packed and out of the house with hotel booked and discount tickets to Sea World!
Gladly the kids were extremely cooperative and pretty much went to sleep the first 15 minutes on the road. Abbey and I took turns driving only to make stops for gas and bathroom though Abbey did most of the night time driving. (Frankly I was quite nervous to be napping while Abbey's driving since it's her first time driving long distance and at night time flying about 80-90 mph while all kinds of trailer trucks all over the road-later she tells me at times she was going over 90 mph!!)It only took us 11 hours and we made it to the Florida borderline where the kids were about to wake up. We made a pit stop and everyone got off to stretch and take the photo op that we are in Florida!!
We were way early to check in the hotel close to Sea World in Orlando. So we decided to go to the beach! On the GPS it shows that we are really close to Daytona beach so we drove there at about 10am in the morning. When we arrived there was barely anyone there but it was wonderful because we were able to drive our van right on the beach sand!! It was awesome having all the sea salt blast in our faces while driving along the water. We got out, lotion-ed up and first thing the kids did was grab sand and start throwing sand balls at me!! What a way to start the morning! They were chasing me all over the beach and of course the first victim was the camera. It was too late to swing away from the onslaught of sand flying at me from every angle.
Inevitably it got in the lens and I had to clean it up. Don't worry this is actually a good thing. For a long time our abused little point and shoot camera have buttons buttons/features that have stopped working; but after this beach trip, they start working back to normal again which is quite interesting. I guess the super fine salt and/or more abuse got all the circuitry working again.
After 2-3 hours at the beach, we were ready for lunch and the hotel. We stopped by Cracker and Barrel for a nice hearty breakfast and on our way to Orlando. The kids got a nice nap for the one hour drive to our hotel on International street. This street is like the Vegas of Orlando, everything wants to get the visitors attention. I don't think there's any residential space at all. Anyways we checked in the hotel and I rested a little while Abbey continues to set our schedule for the time we're in Orlando.
Since we don't want to waste time going to the theme parks at 4pm, we decided to go Disney's boardwalk for dinner and walk around until night time. It was a great park! There was plenty of entertainment and things to see and walk around. We even rented one of those quad wheel bicycles to bike around the boardwalk. We ate pizza there and as night approaches we sat outside on beach chairs and watch Tarzan right on the boardwalk. One great thing about driving on our trip is that we can go anywhere we like and not have to worry about waiting for transportation and go everywhere we like anytime such as the case that I got to know the local grocery stores and Walmart quite well since I run out every night to get odds and ends.
The next is when all our excitement starts. We got up early in the morning got breakfast and on the way we went to Sea World with our discount tickets!! The whole family was super excited. We got there and it was packed! we waited in a very long line for over an hour and a half just to get in but gladly the weather was perfect in the low 80s and very little humidity with a slight breeze. We we got in there was so many things to see and so many places to go. Since we bought a two day pass, we decided to visit one half of the park for today. First things first, I had to wait in line to get the validation for second time visit while Abbey took the kids to book our dinner reservation for the Shark Aquarium Restaurant. There was just so many things at the park we were kind of wandering around until thought of the Shamu Show. We knew there were going to be lots of people waiting in line for it so Abbey got in line while I took the kids to see things around the area. Finally after more than 30 minutes of waiting, we were able to find good front seats to see their first Shamu show! The boys loved it though FF was a bit confused and not sure what the animals are, but nevertheless she enjoyed the show. One part of the show was to have Shamu and other killer whales splash water at the audience, well Abbey and I aren't prepared to get wet. But the boys were disappointed that they didn't get wet.
The weather was really great in the 80's with low humidity. So we enjoyed some slushy after the Shamu show and walk around the park to do other things. We went to see the Sea Lions show, which was a great show but for some odd reason FF can't figure what type of animals they were and was so horrified of them that she scream at the top of her lungs the whole time we were there so I had to take her all the to the top of the stadium and even there she kept screaming. We saw the Dolphin show and it was excellent. Pretty much on the first day we went on one half of the park and watched a lot of shows. And we ended the night with dinner at the Shark Aquarium. As we were waiting, I wasn't sure what seating arrangements they inside and so I went up to talk to the people to inquire, and they really didn't have much arrange, its a first available type of ordeal. So I asked nicely if we can get seats next to the sharks and they person said, "Sure" which as awesome because the whole night we had dinner right next to the tank and the kids were eating and enjoying the sharks and all kinds of other large fish swimming next to us. Food was a bit expensive but fresh but the kids all had a souvenir cup at the end (though we didn't order one for FF, the waitress gave her one anyone). When we came back to the hotel, the kids were exhausted and slept well.
The next day we decided not to kill ourselves back to back so we went to the local area Kids museum so they can explore and have fun indoors the whole day. They actually had a lot of great hands on science for kids to find out and see how our world and bodies work. We spent a whole day there until they were closed. Then we went to Universal Studios City park to walk around and to find dinner. It was a very lively place with lots of events, music, and a great atmosphere to just walk around the lake and enjoy the cool breeze.
The third day we were prepared this time to go back to Sea World and finish the rest of the park. This time we went to feed the dolphins and the stingrays which the boys loved. Afterwards they want to go back to more shows and want to get wet too! I actually had prepared my cameras for a little splash but FF was too scared of the shows so I stood in the nosebleed area to watch the shows. We also pay money to played some of the games to win prizes..etc. FF went to one that regardless you still win a prize. CC and SS went to one that you toss the ball and if it lands on a hole that has a color ring you get a prize. So I felt generous and bought them each 20 balls thinking that if they don't win, let's go its all fun and games. Well, it happens to be that Brennan landed on a ring and won a little penguin and Clayton didn't. So of course Brennan was rubbing his prize in Clayton's face making his start crying really loud saying he didn't win. I didn't know what to do since I told them that if they win, they win but if they don't win, that is it. But Clayton refuse to stop crying at the top of his lungs. Just as I was about to leave, the game person came up to Clayton and gave him a little penguin anyways. So all three kids end up winners with their own prizes.
Then I almost had a heart attack. We went to see the polar bears and then had lunch with our gigantic turkey legs nearby. Afterwards we went to a huge jungle gym type play area for the kids. We walked about 20 minutes from where we had lunch to the gym area and then suddenly I felt something weird. I touched my chest area and I screamed to Abbey!! Aaaah Where is my backpack!!! I looked around the double stroller we had with us and didn't see it and all around where we just were and nothing. My heart stopped and then started pounding faster and faster and faster! Where is my backpack! Oh no I must have left it at the lunch area! which is very far away and about 20 minutes ago. I told Abbey to watch the kids as I ran as fast as I can rushing to go back to where we had lunch thinking the whole time that no one had taken it. In no time I was there and was soo relieved that my backpack was still on the ground where I left it. I was incredibly relieve when I opened the back pack and my big expensive camera was still inside. For the rest of the night I clung onto that like they were one of my kids (though Abbey calls it my 3rd wife).
We stayed in the park until it was closed to see as much as we can and as many shows as we can. We end up watching the Dolphins show, then Shamu show and the Sea Lion show again and the kids go soaked along with Abbey in these shows. Along the way, the boys befriended a girl and spritz water with all the whole time. We finally left the park when it was closing and the kids wanted a souvenir so they wanted to crush the pennies into the imprints. At the time we left the park, everyone had one a souvenir penny and a stuffed animal to go back to the hotel.
The last day we were in Orlando we took things easy. We woke up and checked out early and everyone wanted to go to the beach again. So we got some breakfast and start heading to Daytona Beach. We go there around 11am and settled right underneath the boardwalk and stayed at the beach for several hours playing with sand, water, and Brennan was quite interested in collecting the tiny live seashells. We left the beach around 3ish, got lunch and and headed back home around 5pm.
This time I was prepared to do the long drive by eating less and conserving my energy as opposed to last time that we went right after work and I was not really mentally prepared. I even went to Walmart buy energy drinks to help me through the night time driving. The kids were quite behaving in the van the whole time driving home. By eating less and doing less and drinking that energy drink (which gave me a warm sensation around the head) I drove the whole 11 hrs and 45 mins through the night without stopping and arrive at our doorstep at 5am. I guess the drink really worked since I didn't feel drowsiness at all, though I asked Abbey not to wake me up until much later while I am hiding in the basement to catch up on some sleep.
All in all for our spur of the moment and literal last minute planning we did good on this trip to Floria Sea World. Initially when we were at the hotel the first night, the boys wanted to go home and sleep in their beds. Its been 10 days since we've been back and not a single day goes by without the boys mentioning when they can go back. It was funny that one time Abbey was out shopping and Clayton asked, mama after we finish shopping here can we go to Sea World? And every night they clench onto their penguin to sleep. So it was a great trip and the whole family had a great time.
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I opened the door around 5pm and she tells me she want to go to Sea World and if I can ask my boss to take one more day since she want to go to Florida for four days. I was a little surprised and immediately thought that we needed to pack if we were to go on that night since nothing was planned, packed, nor any place booked to sleep. She also told me that the missionaries were coming over with an investigator as well. I was like WHAT THE... This is while she's cooking dinner for the guests. I was like if they are coming for dinner, there's no way we will make it to Sea World on time since it's a 14 hour drive there. So I was a little overwhelmed and not knowing what to do since dinner's all cooked and missionaries are coming over.
So I decided OK if we are going tonight, we needed to change plans just a bit. I told her to pack the food and call the missionaries that this time they will be doing take out from our house. We still need to pack everything from clothes, to food for the long drive, to sunblock, to their sleeping blankets..and most importantly book a place to sleep, then double/triple checked everything if we want to make this trip happen and leave on a decent time. So just like that the missionaries showed up half an hour later to get their take out and off we went packing!First things first plan where we were going to stay, what we want to see, when to see them, how we can get any discounts and/or deals for Sea World, hotel, food, other entertainment. I called the hotel in Florida where we actually got a booking about discount tickets while Abbey ripped apart our house to get out all the summer clothes enough for 6-8 days, double stroller, all kinds of whatever food we have in the house, and a small med kit. By 9pm, we were finally packed and out of the house with hotel booked and discount tickets to Sea World!
Gladly the kids were extremely cooperative and pretty much went to sleep the first 15 minutes on the road. Abbey and I took turns driving only to make stops for gas and bathroom though Abbey did most of the night time driving. (Frankly I was quite nervous to be napping while Abbey's driving since it's her first time driving long distance and at night time flying about 80-90 mph while all kinds of trailer trucks all over the road-later she tells me at times she was going over 90 mph!!)It only took us 11 hours and we made it to the Florida borderline where the kids were about to wake up. We made a pit stop and everyone got off to stretch and take the photo op that we are in Florida!!
We were way early to check in the hotel close to Sea World in Orlando. So we decided to go to the beach! On the GPS it shows that we are really close to Daytona beach so we drove there at about 10am in the morning. When we arrived there was barely anyone there but it was wonderful because we were able to drive our van right on the beach sand!! It was awesome having all the sea salt blast in our faces while driving along the water. We got out, lotion-ed up and first thing the kids did was grab sand and start throwing sand balls at me!! What a way to start the morning! They were chasing me all over the beach and of course the first victim was the camera. It was too late to swing away from the onslaught of sand flying at me from every angle.
Inevitably it got in the lens and I had to clean it up. Don't worry this is actually a good thing. For a long time our abused little point and shoot camera have buttons buttons/features that have stopped working; but after this beach trip, they start working back to normal again which is quite interesting. I guess the super fine salt and/or more abuse got all the circuitry working again.
After 2-3 hours at the beach, we were ready for lunch and the hotel. We stopped by Cracker and Barrel for a nice hearty breakfast and on our way to Orlando. The kids got a nice nap for the one hour drive to our hotel on International street. This street is like the Vegas of Orlando, everything wants to get the visitors attention. I don't think there's any residential space at all. Anyways we checked in the hotel and I rested a little while Abbey continues to set our schedule for the time we're in Orlando.
Since we don't want to waste time going to the theme parks at 4pm, we decided to go Disney's boardwalk for dinner and walk around until night time. It was a great park! There was plenty of entertainment and things to see and walk around. We even rented one of those quad wheel bicycles to bike around the boardwalk. We ate pizza there and as night approaches we sat outside on beach chairs and watch Tarzan right on the boardwalk. One great thing about driving on our trip is that we can go anywhere we like and not have to worry about waiting for transportation and go everywhere we like anytime such as the case that I got to know the local grocery stores and Walmart quite well since I run out every night to get odds and ends.
The next is when all our excitement starts. We got up early in the morning got breakfast and on the way we went to Sea World with our discount tickets!! The whole family was super excited. We got there and it was packed! we waited in a very long line for over an hour and a half just to get in but gladly the weather was perfect in the low 80s and very little humidity with a slight breeze. We we got in there was so many things to see and so many places to go. Since we bought a two day pass, we decided to visit one half of the park for today. First things first, I had to wait in line to get the validation for second time visit while Abbey took the kids to book our dinner reservation for the Shark Aquarium Restaurant. There was just so many things at the park we were kind of wandering around until thought of the Shamu Show. We knew there were going to be lots of people waiting in line for it so Abbey got in line while I took the kids to see things around the area. Finally after more than 30 minutes of waiting, we were able to find good front seats to see their first Shamu show! The boys loved it though FF was a bit confused and not sure what the animals are, but nevertheless she enjoyed the show. One part of the show was to have Shamu and other killer whales splash water at the audience, well Abbey and I aren't prepared to get wet. But the boys were disappointed that they didn't get wet.
The weather was really great in the 80's with low humidity. So we enjoyed some slushy after the Shamu show and walk around the park to do other things. We went to see the Sea Lions show, which was a great show but for some odd reason FF can't figure what type of animals they were and was so horrified of them that she scream at the top of her lungs the whole time we were there so I had to take her all the to the top of the stadium and even there she kept screaming. We saw the Dolphin show and it was excellent. Pretty much on the first day we went on one half of the park and watched a lot of shows. And we ended the night with dinner at the Shark Aquarium. As we were waiting, I wasn't sure what seating arrangements they inside and so I went up to talk to the people to inquire, and they really didn't have much arrange, its a first available type of ordeal. So I asked nicely if we can get seats next to the sharks and they person said, "Sure" which as awesome because the whole night we had dinner right next to the tank and the kids were eating and enjoying the sharks and all kinds of other large fish swimming next to us. Food was a bit expensive but fresh but the kids all had a souvenir cup at the end (though we didn't order one for FF, the waitress gave her one anyone). When we came back to the hotel, the kids were exhausted and slept well.
The next day we decided not to kill ourselves back to back so we went to the local area Kids museum so they can explore and have fun indoors the whole day. They actually had a lot of great hands on science for kids to find out and see how our world and bodies work. We spent a whole day there until they were closed. Then we went to Universal Studios City park to walk around and to find dinner. It was a very lively place with lots of events, music, and a great atmosphere to just walk around the lake and enjoy the cool breeze.
The third day we were prepared this time to go back to Sea World and finish the rest of the park. This time we went to feed the dolphins and the stingrays which the boys loved. Afterwards they want to go back to more shows and want to get wet too! I actually had prepared my cameras for a little splash but FF was too scared of the shows so I stood in the nosebleed area to watch the shows. We also pay money to played some of the games to win prizes..etc. FF went to one that regardless you still win a prize. CC and SS went to one that you toss the ball and if it lands on a hole that has a color ring you get a prize. So I felt generous and bought them each 20 balls thinking that if they don't win, let's go its all fun and games. Well, it happens to be that Brennan landed on a ring and won a little penguin and Clayton didn't. So of course Brennan was rubbing his prize in Clayton's face making his start crying really loud saying he didn't win. I didn't know what to do since I told them that if they win, they win but if they don't win, that is it. But Clayton refuse to stop crying at the top of his lungs. Just as I was about to leave, the game person came up to Clayton and gave him a little penguin anyways. So all three kids end up winners with their own prizes.
Then I almost had a heart attack. We went to see the polar bears and then had lunch with our gigantic turkey legs nearby. Afterwards we went to a huge jungle gym type play area for the kids. We walked about 20 minutes from where we had lunch to the gym area and then suddenly I felt something weird. I touched my chest area and I screamed to Abbey!! Aaaah Where is my backpack!!! I looked around the double stroller we had with us and didn't see it and all around where we just were and nothing. My heart stopped and then started pounding faster and faster and faster! Where is my backpack! Oh no I must have left it at the lunch area! which is very far away and about 20 minutes ago. I told Abbey to watch the kids as I ran as fast as I can rushing to go back to where we had lunch thinking the whole time that no one had taken it. In no time I was there and was soo relieved that my backpack was still on the ground where I left it. I was incredibly relieve when I opened the back pack and my big expensive camera was still inside. For the rest of the night I clung onto that like they were one of my kids (though Abbey calls it my 3rd wife).
We stayed in the park until it was closed to see as much as we can and as many shows as we can. We end up watching the Dolphins show, then Shamu show and the Sea Lion show again and the kids go soaked along with Abbey in these shows. Along the way, the boys befriended a girl and spritz water with all the whole time. We finally left the park when it was closing and the kids wanted a souvenir so they wanted to crush the pennies into the imprints. At the time we left the park, everyone had one a souvenir penny and a stuffed animal to go back to the hotel.
The last day we were in Orlando we took things easy. We woke up and checked out early and everyone wanted to go to the beach again. So we got some breakfast and start heading to Daytona Beach. We go there around 11am and settled right underneath the boardwalk and stayed at the beach for several hours playing with sand, water, and Brennan was quite interested in collecting the tiny live seashells. We left the beach around 3ish, got lunch and and headed back home around 5pm.
This time I was prepared to do the long drive by eating less and conserving my energy as opposed to last time that we went right after work and I was not really mentally prepared. I even went to Walmart buy energy drinks to help me through the night time driving. The kids were quite behaving in the van the whole time driving home. By eating less and doing less and drinking that energy drink (which gave me a warm sensation around the head) I drove the whole 11 hrs and 45 mins through the night without stopping and arrive at our doorstep at 5am. I guess the drink really worked since I didn't feel drowsiness at all, though I asked Abbey not to wake me up until much later while I am hiding in the basement to catch up on some sleep.
All in all for our spur of the moment and literal last minute planning we did good on this trip to Floria Sea World. Initially when we were at the hotel the first night, the boys wanted to go home and sleep in their beds. Its been 10 days since we've been back and not a single day goes by without the boys mentioning when they can go back. It was funny that one time Abbey was out shopping and Clayton asked, mama after we finish shopping here can we go to Sea World? And every night they clench onto their penguin to sleep. So it was a great trip and the whole family had a great time.
