Jake's 9th Birthday started early...very early...6:00 AM early.
He's not typically an early riser, but with all the anticipation built up to our big, secret surprise...
I don't think he minded too much!
Breakfast in bed was followed by the opening of his first gift. It was a Dragon Matchbox car that he had picked out and was under strict orders to forget about until his birthday. He didn't forget, but he was sure glad to finally have it in his hands!
The Big Surprise was a day at Discovery Cove,
Sea World's all-inclusive one of a kind priv.ate resort
It started with a delicious breakfast...
Followed by taking residence at our private family cabana...
Our cabana was positioned right in front of the amazing waters that housed sting rays and thousands of tropical fish.
We swam all day over and under these rubbery, yet amazing sting ray.
We touched them and came face to face with them.
It was an experience like no other!
We took a swim break and let Jake open some of his cards and gifts!
Then we took a ride down the warm, very warm, almost too warm...
lazy river!
Followed by a trek through the free-flight aviary where we hand fed exotic birds.
Poor , Daddy got pooped on!
The colors on these birds were just amazing!
This guy is eating his lunch of baby mice!
Pretty gross, really.
More pics of the resort
We had an amazing dolphin swim interaction session where we were able to touch and play and swim with Dixie. At one point she brought a buey to Jake that read
"Happy Birthday, Jake!"
He was pretty surprised.
"How did she know it was my birthday?" He said.
Once we were out of the water Jake also got a t-shirt, a stuff dolphin (who has lovely named Dixie) and a backpack and underwater camera to remember his amazing birthday experience by.
The kids loved having unlimited snacks and drinks at their disposal.
Paigey takes a break from the water (and the sun!)
Daddy checks in with the office...
Jake checks out some of his new birthday books.
More string ray pics taken right outside of our cabana!
The list of fish that are housed in the reef that we were swimming in!!
Jake, just taking it all in!
Another trip back to the Aviary.
View of the beaches and bridges.
Quite possibly our best day EVER!!
The park closed at 5, so we went back to our hotel and changed clothes and headed to Down
Where do you take a 9 year old for his birthday dinner?
NASCAR, of course!
Jake opens his gift from Paigey...
And from Connor...
Just a little excited!!
Funnel Cake for dessert!!
And one last gift before bed...that long awaited...
Star Wars R2D2!!
and double edge light saber!
It was a long, long, fun-filled day celebrating our smart, sweet and very precious boy!!
So very, very amazing! That will be a long-remembered family vacation and birthday for Jake. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I think this place will have to go on our "we want to go there someday" list.
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