Day 3 – Sea World

We were up by 8am, but everyone else was having a hard time getting out of bed. I was rolling around being lazy and then I hear Jorge hurling in the bathroom. I quickly became nauseous.

Mary, the kids and I decided to walk to Whataburger right next door instead of waiting around. We had a quick breakfast then went back to the hotel to finish packing up the diaper bag and made sure we had everything we needed for our sure-to-be long day.

When everyone had already had breakfast we followed Tommy, our leader, to Sea World again. I was so hot the day before I decided to wear a tank top, regardless of how huge I thought my arms looked. Besides, it would do some good to get rid of my horrible “Farmer’s Tan.” All the other ladies at the park seemed to be comfortable with their bodies, why couldn’t I?

We were supposed to start off with the rides, but of course, Eenan and the kids wanted to go to the Lost Lagoon, where you get wet. Their first stop was the tubing place. I was really nervous about them going in there, especially since they were bobbing all over the place even with life jackets on. I wanted to get in there with them to help them out and take Alaethia around a few times, but I stupidly didn’t take a change of clothes and didn’t feel like walking around feeling damp like the day before. Sammy, Brandon, and Jose went in so I left the boys with them. They always stick together, so I felt confident that nobody would stray.

Meanwhile Elda and I went into one of the shops to either find an over-dress, shorts, or a bathing suit. Everything was super expensive but I bought myself some board shorts even though they were a size bigger. When I’ve gotten changed and I’ve got Alaethia in my arms I see Sammy and Jose, soaked, walking towards us. I ask them, “Is Brandon still with the boys?” Sammy replies, “Yes. But Jaylen’s looking for you.” I stop dead in my tracks and think What do you mean Jaylen’s looking for me!? As my heart starts racing and I go into a panic because I imagine him lost and helpless in this huge park, a lifeguard with a clipboard is turning around a corner and is asking someone, “…what was she wearing?” I crane my neck to see who’s behind him and its Jaylen sobbing. I scream, “JAYLEN!” and grab him. I ask the lifeguard, “How long’s he been with you?! Has he been lost long?” and he smiles nicely and says, “No, ma’am. He just came up to me a few seconds ago.” I gave him the usual lecture of, “You NEVER, EVER wander off alone!!!” and walk him over to where Mary is waiting with Jorge and Tommy (neither of them got in the water) because Jaylen’s too shook up to go back.

When Alaethia and I went to meet Yadira, Yazmin, Angela and Matthew at the tubes I ask if they’ve seen Eenan and Brandon floating around. They tell me no, not the whole time that they’ve been there. My heart sinks. Not again!

Tommy had been filming Matthew in the tubes with Yadira and he said Mary was with the boys. Thank God. I managed to have a pretty relaxing time floating around with Alaethia. She enjoyed it a lot. We went around about 3 times and then got out to go to the kiddie pool. I tried getting Alaethia to go on the tiny slide or under the splashing mushroom but she was terrified, clinging onto me for dear life. So we just sat in the foot of water for a bit until she became brave enough to splash a little.

We changed and met everyone at the table and chairs we’d claimed “ours”. I was in pain. Stupid shorts I’d bought had some plastic stitching and scratched up my legs. I didn’t notice till I slid my jean capris back on and rubbed my thigh. It hurts just thinking about it.

Alaethia fell asleep for a good long while. I couldn’t change her tank top, but I removed her little water undies and diaper and just left her in a clean diaper. She was nice and fresh.

If I remember correctly our next stop was the Journey to Atlantis ride. It was Jose, Jaylen, Yazmin, Angela, Yadira and me. I’m not a big fan of roller coasters; I hate that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach…that pressure. But, Yadira had, as always, convinced me to go on it. As soon as we got in line I was chickening out. And then I realized I had my Centro in my pocket. I called Mary and poor thing came all the way to get my phone. Once we got on the ride (and my heart felt like it would pop out of my nostrils) it wasn’t too bad. I mean, yeah, it was all I expected it to be (scary) but it wasn’t THAT BAD. We slowly went up, had a little spin that turned us backwards and down we went, took another spin and then BOOM! Straight down we went into the water. That was the part I liked the least. Jaylen was probably braver than I was; he wanted another go! So Jose left and the rest of us got back on.

It was me, Jaylen and Yazmin this time around in our row, which was the 3rd one or so. The first time Jaylen was between Jose and Yadira in the very front row! So we’re on our way up we’re excited and then we just suddenly stop. There’s another boat in right in front of us on the part that turns you backwards and up ahead was another boat backwards right before the part that spins you forward again. We were up there for 10 minutes, at least. Turns out a little girl in the very first boat had thrown up and they needed to clean it up. I got SO SUNBURNED while we were up there. When they got the girl and her mom down and everything went back to normal Jaylen wanted another turn! We said, after that, yeah right!

We met everyone at the bottom and sat around a little. Then we decided to go to lunch. We went to Ray’s Bar-b-q. They had the best brisket and creamed corn! When we went back we went to the Haunted Lighthouse show again, because we’d missed Pirates 4-D. It’s sort of the same thing; a show in 3-d where they splash you with water, air and so forth. I figured Alaethia would be terrified again, so I sat near the exit and when she started screaming I went outside with her since I’d watched it the day before and Mary didn’t get to. It was so hot out we went into one of the shops and just basked in the cool air conditioning. We walked around and when we passed some walrus plushes she cooed, “Doggy!” so I promised her that when everyone came out of the show (and I got my money from my camera bag which stayed with Mary) I’d get her one.

We sat atop a stone wall while she drank her cup of milk in my lap. Everyone came out and we headed to the gift shop. She wanted a small walrus, but then I showed her the pup that Jaylen got and she wanted that one instead. She hugged it so tightly, it was too cute.

We missed the Rockin’ Ski Party and Waggin’ Tales shows so we headed to Sea Lions Tonight again. This time I took video of it, but it wasn’t as funny as the day before since it wasn’t the same guy acting.

The boys complained for a good while that they wanted these darn spray bottle fans. I kept telling them the past two days to save their money, because we’d be going to Fiesta Texas on Thursday but we decided not to go after all. So I spent $15 for each bottle…grr.

All the shows were over by then so we all went to a bench and sat down. Then Elda remembered the Rio Loco ride. I told Mary, “Go ahead, go! You haven’t ridden anything.” She smiled and said, “No thanks. Go ahead. I’ll watch Alaethia.”

So Eenan, Jaylen, Elda, Jose, Sammy, Brandon and me went to the ride. It was pretty quick getting to the beginning of the line since it was almost closing. The first way around I realize I have my darn cell phone again. Never learn. I had nowhere to hide it; I was getting soaked fast! So I stuck it in my undies LOL. It stayed pretty dry!

The boys wanted to go around again so this time Elda and I asked the ride attendant to hold our phones. He already had 4 other ones in his pocket LOL. We went around two more times and it was awesome. When we’d pass by this certain point Jorge would wet us with this water gun thing and Mary would show Alaethia where we were and she’d wave. The boys had so much fun on it, especially when it was their turn to get soaked under the waterfall.

We had to get creative in the truck so as not to wet the seats too much.

I’d sent my cousin Jessica a message that we were in town and she left me her number. I called her back and we talked for a good while. It was so nice to hear from her! We wanted to meet up but she’d be at Fiesta Texas he next day and we’d be at the caverns. She’s coming down this month so we decided to meet when she was in the Valley.

I got Jaylen bathed and Mary got Eenan and Aly bathed while I spoke to Jessica. I ate dinner (can’t remember what) and then I took a shower. I had a harder time sleeping that night; everything was waking me up. Even Alaethia stirred for a cup of milk and as I was getting up to get it, Mary had already come back with it and Alaethia had fallen back to sleep.