A Dolphin Birthday Surprise

As a surprise for Kendall (and her gift from Papa and Gigi) we look Kendall the day after her birthday, to the Mississippi Coast to the Center for Marine Education and Research center. None of us had ever been there, but Papa heard about it from a friend. And the trip certainly did not disappoint!

In addition to the general admission which includes a two hour tour,  Kendall received a special pass to have one on one time with a dolphin and its trainer.  Kendall got to go dockside and pet and feed the dolphin.  She was excited and a little nervous.  But she did it!!  And she loved it!!

Here's CJ...

And here's Kendall waiting on her private dolphin encounter...

Kendall and Gigi spent about twenty minutes with CJ and his trainer.

Kendall got to feed him,

and get him to do tricks.

This picture captures the pure joy and surprise on her face as CJ splashed them all.

In addition to the dolphin tour, we got to see other animals.  This parrot, Poppy, can do some pretty cool tricks herself...

We also visited the touch pool where we were given the opportunity (thought not all of us took advantage of it) to touch sting rays, crabs and starfish.

Daddy was quick to pet the sting ray.  Kendall finally worked up the nerve toward the end.  Brielle never did.  And Mommy did only because Kendall finally did.

Kendall also touched a horse shoe crab.  Mommy did too, but very quickly when she learned it's more closely related to the scorpion than the crab.

But Mommy did bravely pet the baby alligator.

Daddy and Papa and Gigi did.  Kendall didn't.  Brielle didn't.

And lastly we got to meet their sea lion who had some tricks of his own as well.

It was a fun day and a good reason to get out of town for the day.  And Kendall even got to see the beach, a complaint of hers all summer since we couldn't make the trip this year.