Seaworld Orlando Florida Review

A holiday is a holiday, a break from the norm, to do as you don't normally do , a trip to an attraction doesn't have to be a one time affair it can be repeated. A repeat trip evokes , an evoke cation for the want of a better word. It's been 4 years since as a family we were in the USA last and 5 years since we were last in Orlando.

Last time as a family of 3 we came to Seaworld with an energetic 8 year this time we came with a teen with the expectation of thrill seeking and adrenalin overloading, a tall order to fulfil in this social media , whizzing and twirling modern age. Each age of a child brings it own reward , and this time it was patience and increased wonderment.

Going to Seaworld encourages everyone to be an everyday hero which when you go in turtle trek you will understand! After seeing turtles you are immersed into a 3D cinematic experience in a 360 degree cinema and it's very exciting and intense.

Apart from the obvious sea creatures that are at Seaworld it is also a theme park though less intense than the others and the queues are very much shorter. As a family I don't think we spent more than 10 minutes queuing for any of the rides.

The high octane ride Manta is a sure fire G Force trip for all those that go on the ride , and despite there being lockers where you can put your lose items. People still insist on carrying their beloved designer sunglasses etc onto the ride. So much so that Seaworld have put up strategically placed nets to catch any stray objects so innocent visitors don't get hit.

Journey to Atlantis was essential for my husband and son as the temperatures were hitting a sweltering 95 F , why wasn't I on the ride .. well someone had to take the action picture didnt they now ?!.

At SeaWorld Orlando’s new Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, families are transported into an icy world like they’ve never seen before where they can explore the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on a first-of-its-kind family ride. You have the option of choosing either a mild ride or a more thrilling seeking option on this ride. Don't worry though the thrill seeking option only spins and waddles like a penguin. Then, guests step off and explore a massive penguin colony of nearly 250 feathered friends – gentoo, rockhopper, Adélie and king penguins — in an expanse that envelops them in cool extremes, both above and below the penguins’ icy world. It’s a must-see, one-of-a-kind experience only at SeaWorld Orlando.

Seaworld is also known for its spectacular shows in our time we have seen them all 'Blue Horizons' is out of this world, the original Shamu has long gone replaced by a fleet of killer whales. The show is still called ' Shamu' we were all entralled from start to finish, there's is always a call to honour the service personal of the world they are told to stand up and identify themselves to which they receive rumptious applause.

Walking a dog say no one bats an eye lid but when is a whole host of flamingoes been taken for a walk  by their keepers with a Touchan keeping an eye then an ordinary walk becomes extraordinary!.

 There are opportunities to feed both Dolphins and rays something which both adults and children enjoy , I was a little wary of the ray food I do have to say.

Tops tips for visiting Seaworld :

If you are going for one day plan what you see , you can do it all in a day but it's quite exhausting if you don't duck and dive out the heat.

Take refillable water bottles.

Wear a hat.

Take a stroller or hire one if you have very young children.

If you want soft drinks you can buy a refillable cup for $8.99 and there after refills are $1.6 prices are always subject to change.

Disclosure I was given family tickets to Seaworld all thoughts words and opinion are my own.

#easyteam Peach Ploughman's Salad

Ice burg lettuce can be transformed from being a 'Water Mitty' (ie weak) of ingredients, you can transform this sometimes sodden member of the salad family into an exciting and salivating dish. It doesn't require any cooking its a cold dish , I have seen lettuce cooked but I'm not sure if that works ?

Having been in the good ole USA for the past two weeks I have had countless dining experiences, I have more steaks and seafood than you can shake a Cinnamon stick at. Its exciting and invigorating at first but then the American portions gets to you and the insistence that you have a dessert after each meal can leave you hankering for the simple life.

When I ordered a Chicken pesto salad in Florida I was expecting exactly than but alas no , it was a gorgeous pesto chicken but I think the salad was being held captive in the chefs kitchen.

So when I got back to the UK I was on a mission to get back to controlled eating but I wished to extend my taste buds.

So I bought some peaches peeled a peach.. or is it skinned. any way I took the flesh of the thing and then preceded to use a potato peeler to create strips of peach into a dish. I then sprinkled a small amount of Himalayan pink salt on the peach strips, I used two peaches for this.

I left the salted peaches in the fridge for around an hour or so . I shredded the lettuce, and then added the salted peach to it and lightly tossed it. I then added other sale items such as cucumber, snacking tomatoes and cheese, chicken ham and leek pie, and the obligatory dollop of pickle turning the salad into a Ploughman's lunch of sorts.

I am one of three lucky people to be selected as a brand amassador for Zanussi #Easyteam. I am looking forward to the opportunities it will bring and the experiences that I will learn.

I am on a constant drive to improve my cooking and trying new recipes. Cooking doesn't have to be a fearful experience.

Sheep Cat

Dear Rollie cat,

I don't remember owning a sheep, hours of solid grooming and I have enough fur to weave a jumper. And yes I've looked on Amazon and there's a book on weaving with cat fur. I won't be buying it despite there be a credit crunch about !

There's something wrong in life if I spend £20 on cat hair products... Never did I think I would spent more on your hair/fur than mine!

I am sorry I didn't buy the Paul Mitchell branded detangling spray. But I'm sure you'll be tickerty boo with the pretty kitty de tangling spray instead.

Yours lovingly 

Your owner 

PS The cuts have stop bleeding now.

PPS Are cats meant to bark ?

Silent Sunday 8

Starting School : Preparing Your Child For School

Starting School ,Preparing your child for school.

Whether its is because children start school to early , some have just turned 4 when they start school or whether parents or nursery are not preparing children for school. Many are coming to school nowadays without basic skills.

•   They can not dress themselves.

•   They can not cut up their own food.

•   They don't know when to ask for help by putting up their hand.

•   They have no manners.

You need to prepare your child for school in conjunction with your nursery  or any one else involved in your child's care.

•   Visit the nursery or school with your child to give them an opportunity to see what the class does.

•   Explain what will happen during the school day ,: play at school children will love being the teacher!.

•   Read books about starting school.

Reinforce the activities that your child interests and the things they will enjoy " there's be lots of duplo to play with- you love building" or "There's a teddy you can take on holiday!."

Talk about the fun activities you already do at home that will be replicated in school such as painting,drawing,craft activities story time etc.

Before there first day.... well before their first day that is. You might want to check a few things with the school.

•   What's the typical school day.

•   Toilet trained our child where possible- though not a problem if your child has learning delays etc as school will have an intimate care plan in place.

And these tips are the ones that will make your life, your child life much easier at school as it is often the little things that upset them such as not being able to put on their own coat.

•   Try and mimic the timings of the school day where possible "Oh Look it's 12 o' clock the children at school are having their lunch now."

•   Practice doing up buttons and fastening shoes.... Velcro is ideal but as they get older laces are ideal especially as by the time they get to senior school : Velcros trainers  really are not cool.

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•   Practise social skills, such as taking turns, following directions and making choices

•   Visit friends with children or invite other children to play

•   Teach simple  jobs that may be useful at school, such as packing away toys. The teacher doesn't want to break their neck on a stray sheep now do they?

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•   Help your child to recognise his name - most children can't read or write yet, but they may be able to recognise the first letter of their name or even the whole thing

Remember, all these activities should be fun - it's important not to pressurise your child. If you're making your child in the least bit anxious, stop talking about it quite so much.