It's Summer and to me here in Florida that says, "I must live in a water park!"  I love Florida and yes, I love the heat.  But, come on...when you have the chance to go, you just have to!  And when you find out you can go for free, you run to it.  I am so, so glad we did. 


    This past Thursday we (me, daughter & son, hubby had to work) were invited to Sea World's Aquatica Water Park to check out their new thrill water slide "Omaka Rocka".  Which I have to talk about first: it was (as my daughter says) "GRAWSOME!" (Great & Awesome)

    Before riding it, it was described to us that we would experience flying feelings usually experienced only by surfers & skateboarders.  Having done both, we were extremely interested.  It did not disappoint!  If you like thrills, this is worth any wait you may have.  We didn't have a long wait at all.  You spin, twirl, forwards, backwards, anything you can imagine, happens on your way down!  A most definite must!!!  Pictures cannot even begin to show how cool it is!

 





     Right from the beginning we knew we would be having us some fun!  You don't have a l-o-n-g walk to the entrance and it's so tropically beautiful!  For me that is a huge plus ~ I live in Florida remember?

   


    




     We went to the sign-in table and were given some very cool gifts.


 
  





     One looked like a chunky pen, but it was sunscreen at one end & lip balm at the other.  Easy to carry with you!  







     Another nifty gift was the 2GB flash drive.  My 18 yr. old son was totally flipping on that.  Okay...me too.  I can always use more computer stuff!  The flash drive has pics already on them, which I am so happy about because my park pictures didn't turn out as well.  I was sweating it too.  We really were impressed with the whole park and wanted to share that properly.  Now I can!  =)  But the one gift that every single person who has ever gone to a theme park in the summer would want...the spritz bottle.  More importantly, the ones we were given requires no batteries, which means no motors to burn up.  You fill it with water and you pump it up!  They work great - we take them everywhere now.

     After checking out our gifts, it was time to eat.  And we were so hungry.  I'm sure we've all been to events that provided food and you wish they didn't!  This isn't one of those times.  This food was soooo good.
 
      We ate at Banana Beach Cook-Out.  Check out the site for all the delicious goodies available.  They are the only park offering an unlimited all-you-care-to-eat cookout!  Food, fruits, sides, desserts & drinks -all day. You must try their chicken drumsticks - I am not a big finger-food person (call it OCD or whatever, I don't like things getting under my nail is all...=), but I devoured those things!!!  The best sauce I've ever had.



     My BBQ loving son agrees!  He took full advantage of the "all-you-care-to-eat" philosophy. 
Fave #1 was:  Loggerhead Lanes
     How cool is this?  All water parks have "lazy rivers" to take a break in, but this is one like no other.  This relaxing raft ride feels like you're inside a tropical fish tank.  A huge, gorgeous fish tank!  It takes you by Dolphin Plunge, where the Commerson's Dolphins play.  I want one of these put around my house.  It could happen...

Fave #2:  Taumata Racer

     I am so bummed to not have a pic for this one!  Please click on the link above to check it out.  We had so much fun racing each other.  Granted my daughter was a little scared of it...you go really fast & actually get some air time.  Which we of course love, she is learning too.  ;)

     Being a part of Sea World, you just know you are going to have a great chance of seeing some animals.  We definitely did!
 
Definite musts are:  Dolphin Plunge, Roa's Rapids, Tassie's Twisters, Cutback Cove  &  Big Surf Shores, Whanau Way, Walhalla Wave & HooRoo Run.
     One thing we didn't get to experience is something we are going to have to work on...the private cabanas.  Doesn't that sound wonderful?  Everything you need to relax...



     There is an awesome kid area.  My daughter will be my guest blogger to tell you all about her time there.  I enjoyed it, but it is more affirming from an expert. 















     We learned a lot that day.  The most important thing for me was to hear about the deals they offer.  Right now they are offering an after 2 pass.  For $2 more than the regular admission price, you can come back for the rest of the year free!  Manta at night is something we are dying to see.  SeaWorld AfterDark from May 29 - August 15, 2010.  We are looking into the annual passes for Sea World & Aquatica.

     We want to thank all of those involved with the Aquatica Splash-Up & the rest of the employees.  They were all so nice and friendly.  All the workers, every single one we came in contact with.  Not just the hosts.  That says a lot about the people running it.  This is a definite all thumbs-up!

Sea World's main site:  Sea World
Aquatica's main site:  Aquatica

     Tomorrow we are going to Sea World's Aquatica for a Tweetup - or a "Splash Up"...for FREE!  You can't get any better than that!  Their new thrill slide - that's what I said...thrill SLIDE - the "Omaka Rocka" is what they're highlighting.  They will also have giveaways and some good food!  I think...no, I know, a big bonus we are excited about is the animals that will be at the event!!!  We love all animals, but marine animals are our faves!

     Annnnndddd....we get to check out the rest of the park!  I know we'll have to go back another day, there is no way we'll be able to do it all...



































This is the link I will be using tomorrow and rating this puppy!  You can also watch the vid!  WooHoo!!!  
http://www.aquaticabyseaworld.com/Rides.aspx?name=Omaka+Rocka

     This week officially started my daughter's summer school.  We home educate, so I have been doing her lesson plans and this is the first time I am NOT doing my son's!  When are all these "last" times & "first" times going to be done? Last time doing his grades, first time doing lesson plans without doing his...UGH!  I can honestly tell you that I was not prepared for this roller coaster of emotions.  I should have been, but...I avoided thinking about it at all, you know?  Why worry about something that wasn't happening yet?


     So...I've been reflecting on our journey and I can honestly say that I am getting better.  It's true!  I am very thankful for this past year of me being mom - no school business (we own a private school for home educators), or any of the other things that come up, my husband really let me be there for them.  He had taken care of everything so I could focus on the kids (Awesome man, let me tell ya!),

     I am so thankful to have had this time too.  My son, has graduated this year & I was able to be there with him 100%!  Time has flown...I remember starting our home education journey when he was 3 - over 15 yrs. ago!

     Completing his lesson plans for his last year was so hard.  I get that lump in my throat thinking about it...I kept thinking, "This is the last time I'm writing his math...last time I'm writing his science...", etc.  Putting his school stuff away for the year was the same!  Last time...  

     It really helped me when he was helping me pack it all away...seeing his face when he looked at it - he smiled - oh my goodness, he melted my heart.  I saw all his achievements in that look!  I am still a bit sad about not being his teacher anymore, but I am so excited to see what he is becoming!  Just like when he took his first steps as a baby, he has now taken his first steps into adulthood, and I am honored to have been a part of it all!


     Not saying that I won't be anymore ~ he can't get rid of me that easy!  =)