Zach's Birthday Adventure

We didn't tell Zach what we were doing, just that we were going on a "Birthday Adventure"!

It was a last minute decision.

I called the Hilton Waikoloa Dolphin Quest yesterday to see if they had room on Wednesday for two kids. They didn't, but they put me on a waiting list.

This morning they called at 7am to tell me they had some cancellations, so they could get my kids into the 2:45pm Encounter.

We went for it.

The amazing grand staircase view at the Hilton Waikoloa.

Under the waterfall.

  

Then we came around the corner and the kids remembered that the dolphins were here. The trainers were feeding them as we walked up.

We saw this crazy eel in with the dolphins.

We are watching some other people going into the water for their dolphin encounter. This is when we told the kids that they were going to get to swim with the dolphins.

Elissa was excited!

Zach, on the other hand, had the opposite reaction.

Isn't that the way with kids?!

He was stuck on riding the canoes we had seen a few minutes before. He was not happy. He did NOT want to swim with dolphins.

What changed his mind?? He got to pick out a toy from the dolphin quest shop when he was done. Nice.

    

Once they got suited up and on their way out to the water, he totally changed his attitude.

We were afraid that Zach might be scared, but he just got right in there.

He loved being with the dolphin!

Elissa, on the other hand, didn't want to hug the dolphin. Here we are yelling down to her to go hug the dolphin!

She told us later that she didn't like the way it felt. It was like a rubber/plastic.  :-)

This was as close as she got until Zach came over.

I don't know if Zach is trying to touch the dolphin's teeth her or what…..

Then they got their masks on and they got to swim with the dolphin.

They are waiting for the dolphin to swim under them.

Splash war with the dolphin.

Then they each  got to feed the dolphin.

Waving good-bye!

Zach came out yelling, "that was cool!"

I'm so glad they both really got into it once they were there. How could you not?!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY ZACHARY!!!

We love you so much!!