Our Vacation: Part 4

When we were just in the planning stages of our trip, my mom said she wanted to do the dolphin watch tour.  I really didn't have a feeling about it either way, I just decided to play it by ear.  When we got there and checked into them, the price didn't bother me at all.  What I was concerned about was the length of the trip- it was 2 1/2 hours!  I wasn't sure how the kids would do for that long, and honestly what would you do if they threw a fit or hated it or worse- got sick?  It's not like you could turn back.  I talked myself out of going.  Then, the kids kind of got excited hearing us talk about it, so we decided to book it and give it a try.  Actually, the twins and I went with my Mom and step-dad.  Dustin volunteered to keep Henry at the house and let him get his regular nap.  He is not a fan of boats, and 2 1/2 hours was definitely too long for Henry.  We went on Friday during our trip, but we booked it on Wednesday.  The boats are fairly small, so they book up fast (in case you're considering going on it.)  Here's a few pictures from the dolphin watch. 

Honestly, the dolphins were really, really close to our boat and I could have gotten so many good pictures.  However, the boat was moving and the dolphins were moving and I could not for the life of me get a good picture.  I finally got fed up and put the camera up!  It was frustrating.  You can see above there were a couple dolphins together.  Apparently, they are very social creatures and like to play together!  It was really cute to watch. 

 

I almost caught this guy!  I got this either before or after it jumped up.  Urrghh, it was very frustrating! 

 

To make things more fun for the kids, the marine biologist on the boat got all the kids to come forward and "help" her with a few things.  The kids got to help measure the temperature of the water, the speed of the wind, the temperature of the air, and some other stuff I've forgotten.  Everyone got to help, even my little guys!  Oh, and when they were getting started she asked who had really neat handwriting and both my kids' hands shot up!  They couldn't even write at that point!  (Now they each know the first letter of their names-yep, I'm a proud Momma!)  We all got tickled at them. 

 

Another interesting thing was that the dolphins pretty much stay in shallow water.  We actually were in about 3 1/2 feet of water!  I didn't realize that about them. 

 

The tour was nice, although the kids were a bit restless towards the end.  I don't know if I'd do it again for a while, maybe when they are a bit older.  I don't regret doing it, it's just not something I would do each time I went to the beach.  I would maybe alternate with other activities you wouldn't necessarily do each year either.  ? 

 

There were a few things we did that I don't have pictures of, sadly.  I did forget my camera on occasion.  I really wish I had it at the amusement park we visited because Carson had so much fun there.  It was priceless to see him so happy and having such a good time.  He is normally such a reserved kid.  My mom and I also drove go-carts, which probably would have warranted a Kodak moment.  :-) 

 

We also went to the pier, which is fairly new and really nice!  We all enjoyed that a lot. 

 

One day, we took the twins to tie-dye t-shirts during Henry's naptime.  That was a lot of fun!  My sister Abbey had recommended the place and we decided to check it out.  The twins had a ball making their own shirts.  Carson did his in all tractor colors- green for John Deere, blue for New Holland, red for Case, yellow for John Deere, and orange for Kubota.  Emilynn made hers girly with pink, purple, and teal.  You did them yourself and then left them for them to wash and dry.   We went back in 24 hours to pick them up and the kids were SO proud of their shirts!  They still LOVE to wear them and wear them all the time.  We will definitely make that a beach tradition!  I'm so thankful Abbey told me about it, because honestly I probably would have never stopped at the place!  It was very tiny and just a little hole in the wall kind of place. 

 

All in all, we had a great vacation!  I would go back tomorrow if I could!!!