Before the trip Luke had said that he wanted to go on the carousel; he's been refusing to go on the big, extravagant merry-go-round at the Please Touch Museum. And I really thought he would ride this smaller version, but the only ride he took was on one of the benches with me. Then we went to the Dairy Queen and had ice cream for lunch! On Saturday we went to the Alligator Farm, one of our favorite attractions, and this time we were able to see the new komodo dragon exhibit, which also includes a 20-foot long articulated python. The Alligator Farm is the only place in the world that has all 23 **species** of alligaotrs, caimans and crocodiles. My favorite is the albino alligator, found in Louisiana. 
Some of the birds are terrific, too. Here are a West African crowned crane and a marabou stork.
The highlight of our trip was our visit to Marineland.
Despite the expense -- $83 for three for a 5-minute program, Ken, Bryn and I enrolled in the touch-and-feed program. We got to pet Alvin, a 43-year-old dolphin, and he waved to us with his flipper. 
It's amazing what the trainers are able to teach the dolphins with hand signals as the animals can't hear our voices, which are too low in frequency. We each gave him fish, and for the grand finale, we sent him off, and he leaped into the air. You have to be five years old to swim with the dolphins, so maybe Bryn can give that a go if we make it to Florida around Christmastime. 
On Monday Nana and I took Bryn mini golfing. Bryn didn't seem too interested in any tips, so more times than not she hit the ball with the tip of the club instead of the side of the club.
She tried a few holes but then became our caddy, leading us to the next hole and showing us where the cup was at each hole.
Our last day in Florida was only 40 degrees, and windy, so even too cold for the playgrounds. We stumbled upon a tired bowling alley, and so that's where we spent our morning. It was much more of a hit than either Ken or I was expecting. The four of us played 3 rounds of 10 frames, Luke included! In fact, Luke was the one who was eager to try on the rented bowling shoes and to give bowling a try first. Bryn watched me and Ken and Luke for three frames before she decided she was interested in participating, too. In the end, I think she had a really good time -- more so than at putt-putt golf.
Every night that we were in Florida, Bryn took a spa shower in Nana and Papap's bathroom; the shower has three or four shower heads that to a kid are like a water park. Luke finally gained enough courage to try the spa shower our last night there, and what fun was had!
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