Rainforest Shmainforest

This past Sunday, we drove M and LQ down to Galveston so that they could hop on a cruise. They booked a last minute deal, so after eating lunch with them and dropping them off at the cruise terminal, we decided to stick around town until we heard that they had, for sure, gotten on okay. While we waited to hear from them, we went to the Rainforest Cafe. You see, we have a little history with the restaurant.

Last summer, M, LQ, G, L and I went to Galveston to see the beach. L absolutely LOVED the water. We spent the entire day trying to keep her from drowning. After being at the beach and swimming from around noon until 6 o'clock straight, we decided it was time to go eat. L refused to take a nap the entire time we were on the beach, but the second we hit the car, she was out. We found the Rainforest Cafe and it was amazing. It has everything: a little ride, carnival games, animitronic animals, aquariums and the whole restaurant is built inside of a big volcano that actually "erupts". We just knew L would love it. We got inside the restaurant and it was packed. We put our name on the reservation list and asked if we could have a table near the gorillas, even if it meant waiting a little extra. After all, L was out cold and there was plenty for us adults to see.

When they called our name, we went to our gorilla table and ordered. I decided to go ahead and start waking L up since she takes after me (in the very grouchy, don't touch me, give me 20 minutes to wake up, sort of way) and that way she would be awake when the food arrived. After a few minutes of trying, the gorillas tried to help. Now keep in mind, these are life size gorillas that have realistic movements and sounds, sitting right next to our table. Needless to say, there help was unappreciated. L was terrified. I kid you not, she shook through the whole meal while clinging to my neck and continued to shake for a solid 2 hours. I really thought I was going to have to find a "on-call" weekend therapist for my 18 month old. I do believe if L had been awake upon entering to see it all things would have gone differently, but who knows.

L at the Rainforest Cafe last year

So we decided to try and help her "manage her fears" and face the rainforest again. This time awake. We looked around the gift shop and rode the rainforest ride. It's a water ride through the rainforest. It is very slow and calm, but very dark and the rainforest can be quite frightening. She did great, but I think the picture speaks for itself. Afterwards, she told us, "that was fun and a little scary".

L on the Rainforest ride this year

After we had our fill of the rainforest, we walked over to the beach. We had no intentions of actually getting in the water, but Leah is like a little fish. The worst part was that G and I were fully dressed with long pants. Every time she would go a little deeper, we would look at each other like, "I'm not going in like this". Luckily, we didn't have to.

Our little mermaid

L and her shell

Such a cutie

By the time we walked back to the Rainforest Cafe, there was a Polynesian band set up outside. We stood in the back and listened for a few minutes. They were giving hula lessons and one of the band members asked L to come down. She never even looked back to see if it was okay with us. She absolutely loves being on stage. Every Sunday I have to fight with her at church because she wants to be on stage with the praise team. She was so happy to finally have her chance in the spotlight.

My hula girl

We had a great time and are going back this Sunday when M and LQ return from their cruise. This time we promised L she could take her swimsuit, weather permitting.