The Magic Time Machine - A Dining Experience

So after our first night at SeaWorld, we returned to the hotel for a nap...all of us napped. Got up around 4:30 and made a quick call to the restaurant, making a reservation. I just didn't want to take any chances on having to wait for a table...even so early. We got there around 5:30 and were greeted by Mario (as in Mario Brother's video game). He gave the girls balloons (pink of course) and signed them with big happy faces. Then a go-go dancer took us to our table...in a old time walk-in refrigerator/freezer. HA!

The girls loved the bench seat with windows and curtains. They spent most of our dinner bouncing around and looking out at passersby. They hardly ate a thing...they were having way too much fun. And of course, everyone who walked by had to stop to talk to the cute girls in the cooler. We had Austin Powers for a waiter, with Cleopatra as our assistant waiter. Sadly, as you might have guessed, these characters were completely lost on the girls. Next time we go...we will request a princess...I just wasn't thinking.

During our dinner of chicken fingers for the kids and Prime Rib for the adults, the girls got to see other characters including: the most fantastic Capt. Jack Sparrow, Dorothy (Abby's fave), Tinkerbell, Snow White, Ariel and more. We got to retrieve our salad from the bar made from an old car. And our bill was brought to us in a smoking volcano made of styrofoam cups and chocolate syrup. Even Abigail's drink was bubbly and fun. Oh, and I almost forgot...in usual form for the Magic Time Machine...when I ordered my drink, a coke and water, I apparently said it too quickly...and the result that was served to me was a Coke in one glass sitting IN a larger glass of water. Apparently, he "thought" I said coke in water. :) I should have known better.... But it's ok, the girls thought it was so funny, we all passed around the water for sips (Katherine is pictured above doing just that).

All in all, it was a great end to a great day! Next installment, Witte Museum.

We all had a great time! It's just a shame there's not one in Houston.

Around Noon on our first day at SeaWorld we went to the Believe show featuring Shamu. I've seen it before, but that didn't make it any less amazing.

As you can see, Katherine wasn't impressed (I think she was tired and hungry). But Abigail, Scott and I loved the show. We had such fun watching those amazing creatures do such fun tricks. The whales waved, jumped and splashed the front rows.

Abigail was probably a little sad to be outside the "splash zone" (and yes the seats are labeled as such). I, on the otherhand, was happy to remain dry. No need to have wet shoes the rest of the day. At least the stadium was covered, so we got some relief from the sun. And it was a great time to have a quick snack.

After a quick diaper change, we headed back out to find something new and fun...and found just the thing : The Shamu Express. The Shamu Express is the only roller coaster that allows children 42 inches and taller...which means, it was the only one Abigail could ride. So Abigail and I hopped in line while Katherine and Scott waited patiently. Luckily we only had to wait about 2 turns, and you couldn't wipe the smile off Abigail's face. She absolutely loved the roller coaster. And just like a chip off the ole' block, she raised her arms up over her head...not holding on...as the coaster took off!!! We had to ride once more...this time in the front! We held our arms up, screamed and had the best time! One of my favorite memories of the trip...and sadly I have no picture. :(

But by the time we exited the ride, Katherine had had enough. So we headed to the car. Scott, the sucker, was talked into buying a token for each child. :) A quick stop thru the giftshop netted each girl a small stuffed animal. Abigail chose a white Beluga whale in a purse whom she later named Abby. HA! Katherine chose a dolphin who I refer to as Flipper (but Katherine just calls him dolphin).

We were then off to the car for our trunk picnic. It was our answer to not paying so much money for the bad food in the park, but as it turns out, the kids thought it was the coolest thing. They are still talking about it...typical right...just like playing with the packaging on a new toy.

Anyway, we dined on pb&j sandwhiches, chips, grapes, and juiceboxes while the car cooled off. By the time we were ready to go, the car was pretty cool (my best tip to families going this summer). And we headed back to the hotel.

After naptime, we had a fun-filled dinner at The Magic Time Machine.

San Antonio Trip, Part 1

We left Houston on Wednesday after lunch and arrived at the Comfort Suites around 4:00 pm. By the time we took a short tour to find the pool and ice machine, unpacked and got settled, it was time for dinner. We spied an interesting mexican food restaurant at the corner of our street, so we took a quick hike down the street to eat. We had some yummy fajita nachos, cheese enchiladas and chicken flautas and returned to our home-away-from-home for popcorn and pizza. The girls chose Beauty and the Beast. The first photo is of our movie night. :)

In the morning we all overslept thanks to the blackout curtains and Katherine's difficulty sleeping. I think she just would wake up every hour or so with her natural sleep cycle and have to reorient herself each time with where she was. Thankfully she didn't want to play, but it was too frequent for me to put many hours together. But we dressed quickly and grabbed breakfast at the hotel. They had make your own waffles just like in college...mmm. And then it was off to SeaWorld!!!

As it turned out our hotel really was only about 5 minutes away from the park...and on a Thursday before school let out in the area, we were nearly alone. It was fantastic! We headed straight for the horses! HA! The Anheiser Busch clydesdales live there, so we had to check them out. Katherine was so excited, but not so sure about them. Maybe it was their size or just a crabby mood, but she hardly released my leg as we walked thru. Abigail, the fearless, had no qualms and was first in line to pet them.

Then we headed for the dolphins. It's so amazing to be able to get so close to them. The girls loved hanging over the edge to get the best view. With the girl's overflowing excitement, we nearly sprinted to the shark and coral reef exhibit...and then we sprinted thru it. I kept trying to get photographs of the girls and of the animals, but it was a struggle to get them to stay still even for a 2 second picture. They ran thru screaming, "Mom, look a ray! Look, a jelly fish! Look mom, NEMO!" Their mouths and feet ran in equal measure...and it was quite entertaining, despite being frustrating for the photographer attempting to document the day. :)

Tomorrow...the Shamu show BELIEVE and Abigail's first roller coaster....and more. Stay tuned!

We are back from our trip to San Antonio, TX!

Gone from Wednesday the 3rd to Sunday the 7th, I can tell you I've never been so happy to see my own bed. I am still fighting the runny nose and cough we all ended up with, but everyone else seems to be on the mend.

Here are just a few fun pictures from the long weekend...more to come with lots of stories to share.