You look forward to it for week. Create count downs, make lists of things you need, create more count downs, tell everyone you know exactly when you are leaving, inform you co-workers you will be unavailable, you buy and buy and buy stuff you will "need" and then just like that it is gone.
Poof!
Vacations are always too too short. As soon as you get there, you have to leave and it is back to the daily grind.
This year we went to Indian Rocks Beach with my parents and my sister, Kelsey. It was heaven. I just wish my other sister, Tara, and her husband could have joined us. We did a whole lot of nothing while there. Well that isn't entirely true but we did do a lot of laying in the sand and staring into the ocean.
I was a little worried about how little miss independent would do but she was great. Every day. We had less tantrums in Florida in an entire week than we usually do in one weekend. I am sure a huge part of this was the sun, sand and surf wiped her energy out every day. She was a total beach bum. She dug her toes right in and said on several occasions she wanted to live at the beach.
Unfortunately, she didn't sleep in much. Up at 7:30 almost every morning but surprisingly it wasn't hard for me to get up with her. Normally, I am groggy and just want another hour of sleep but I found myself wide eyes most mornings too. That was nice.
Another plus was she slept well while there. The last time we went to Indian Rocks Beach, Sophie was 4 months and did not sleep. Like at all. It was rough. So I think Jeff and I were both holding our breath to see how this time would go. Well we ended up in the room with the 2 full beds so Sophie got her own bed (except when I would fall asleep with her) and she slept like a dream.
She also was ready for the beach the first thing every morning. She would wait for Papa to come back from his walk and when he started getting ready for the beach, she would ask to go to the beach too. So she went down early with him every morning and we met them down there a little later.
She was also great at dinner each night. Another "hold your breath" moment for Jeff and I. Our last vacation didn't go like that so it was nice to have a toddler who sat in her seat (for the most part) throughout dinner, ate well and generally behaved.
Ok enough bragging on my kid. Let me fill you in on the other stuff we did.
We got down on Saturday morning after driving all night. Jeff was exhausted and after we unloaded the car and got breakfast he took a nap. I went to the beach with Sophie and the rest of the family and promptly passed out on the beach as well. Now if you ask my mom she will tell you I passed out without any regard for my child. She exaggerates, in case you didn't know. She took Sophie to the pool so I knew I was good.
Well in my rush to get Sophie to the beach (she was whiney after sleeping in the car all night long) I only half-assed my SPF. Here is a word of advice for all your pasty people like me- don't use the spray SPF at the beach and DON'T apply it while outside. I also had no concept of time and how long I was asleep and didn't re-apply. I burned. Bad. I looked like a stripped Zebra.
Sunday, Jeff took my dad and Sophie to meet his brother, Joe, who gave them a tour of the Bucs stadium. They loved it, as most football people would. Then Joe came over to the beach and hung out with us for the rest of the day. GREAT to see him.
Monday was a beach day. It was also the day my soul sister, Natalie, and her family were coming to visit. They were driving in and we expected them in the afternoon. I kept waiting and waiting. Where the heck where you, Natalie? My mom and Jeff started teasing me about my imaginary friend but she did make it and we had a great time with her, Hal and Ella. Sophie and Ella are the same age (born only a few days apart) and totally hit it off! They stayed the next day too and we went to dinner with them Monday and Tuesday night.
Wednesday- beach day! We didn't nothing. We even ate in. I don't think any of us even showered. Lazy us!
Thursday, Mom kept Sophie and Dad, Kels, Jeff and I went deep sea fishing. Last year I LOVED this. Mainly because I whipped everyone but Tara's husband, Robbie in fish caught. This year I didn't have as much lucky but I still really enjoyed it. I loved the ride out too. Boats are so relaxing. Here is a shoot of Jeff on our Deep Sea Fishing trip.
 |
| He was sleepy |
The next few days were just lounge days. We played in the sand, in the water, read, drank (well they did, I didn't) and had a great time.
Thursday, we went to dinner with my dad and mom's friend from 25 years ago. They re-connected on Facebook and we all had dinner together. I got to meet their daughter which was cool. Got to love Facebook!
Friday night, we got to meet up with a friend on mine from High School, Patti. Her and her husband came up and we went to dinner together. It was great to see them and I wish we could see them more (read- I wish we could move to Florida!)
We had to leave on Saturday and made the decision not to drive over night. We decided to chance driving during the day while Sophie was awake. Let me tell you- my kid is amazing. She was perfect for 99% of the trip. The last hour was the only hairy hour but we were all just cranky from being in the car and being tired. The portable DVD was a LIFE SAVER!!! She watched movies all day. She snacked and just just better than we could have even asked.
Over all it was a fantastic trip! We got to see so many friends and family, had wonderful weather, ate a ton of amazing food. I wish I could go back!
