Gators Galore

I love this girl. She willingly held this three year old alligator yet couldn't believe it herself that she was. 

Seth and I held the gator too. I couldn't believe how soft the underside was. Almost like a soft leather. I was also surprised to learn that they grow only a foot per year.

Seth was loving this time. He'd have a pet alligator or twelve if he could. 

We saw a lot of gators on the Midway Airboat Ride. They take you on the St. John's river which is just behind The Great Outdoors.

There were around 30 sitting here on the bank. Captain Duke told us the water is about 30 feet deep here and there's probably twice as many below us with a plentiful food supply.

I thought the three trunks were pretty neat too. You can see the water lines on the trees with how deep it gets.

Sea World!

I love this place! It's what made me want to become a marine biologist. As you know, that never happened. I looked at colleges but lacked guidance and support in making that jump. Where would my life be had it happened? Who knows...

We rode the Manta roller coaster which has you flying through the air on your stomach. Best roller coaster of the trip.

The orca area was under construction so we couldn't see the amazing show. Instead we did The Orca Experience.

They are so magestic and beautiful. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see them this close as the ocean has never been promising.

We also took advantage of a Behind the Scenes Tour where we touched sharks (ity bity ones), pet a penguin, met sea turtles that would be dead if Sea World hadn't of rescued them.

MySpy

While scrolling through Facebook, I came across a video post from Dave Ryan, DJ for KDWB. He wanted to show everyone the cool thing that came in the mail after what seemed like an eternity waiting. 

You stick a bird house onto a window so you can spy inside the bird house to see what's going on. On the inside of window you adhere a reflective film that is supposed to block the bird from a eeing you. Then over that you hang this nice looking piece of cardboard to let the people know they shouldn't look inside.

I told the kids to leave it be for a week or more. Yet each day I come home from work I see the curtain pulled back. Hopefully I didn't hang it too late in the nesting season.

Florida Bites

While in Florida we stopped at Midway Airboats to see alligators. We met Cocoa there. She's a friendly bird who likes boys the best. Or so they thought. She started to climb up Seth's arm and using her beak to climb up. The loving mom I am, I reassured him it was okay. He put Cocoa back up on her cage and she still showed interest in Seth. She reached down and grabbed his shirt to pull him closer. "It's okay Seth, she just wants to climb back onto your shoulder." Ha, or not. She pulled him closer to bite his shoulder. Thankfully, Seth laughed after he initial ouch.

I dough want chili

Adelynn was helping her dad make dinner tonight. She was pretty insistent that she didn't want chili. 

Dad "Adelynn, where did the onion powder go?" 

Adelynn "I dumped it"

Dad "Where?"

Adelynn "In the bath"

Dad "Why did you do that?"

Adelynn "I dough want chili"

Two bowls later, her tummy was full.

In the pig shoot

For the past hour Adelynn has been running up and down the pig shoot. At the point she started it was already too late. Earlier she was running the front loader and it was full of mud. What's the point?

"You need a bath." Off comes her clothes. 

In the Net

Seth decided to play on his school's basketball team. The season started off pretty rough with little court time. At his third tournament I discusses my concerns with his coach. From that point on Seth was out more often which turned into teammates passing him the ball more often. A few of his tournaments included Northfield, Kasson, Cannon Falls, Dodge Center and Medford.

A few times today Seth played the point guard position. It was great seeing him involved in the game. Within the last 10 minutes of the game he caught a rebound and made his first basket of the season. He also claimed possession of the ball from his opponents. A few teammates even patted him on the back to tell him good job.

I'm pretty proud of him!