Sight Seeing

So while R and I would have been perfectly content being on the beach the whole time, we weren't sure about the girls.  We didn't want it to feel like a chore by the end of the week or hear "Do we HAFTA go back to the beach?"  (Although they never complained about going back!)  We also assumed it would rain at some point (it's pretty rainy in Florida) so we figured we'd get out and do some other stuff.  It did in fact rain twice--once at midnight and another day at 5 am!  Perfect timing!  Left nothing but blue skies by the time we were ready to roll!

One morning we took the girls to Perdido Kids Park, a free community park built by volunteers and Marines.  It was HUGE.  There was so much for the girls to do and explore.  They had the most fun playing "bank" at some windows, though they didn't think it was quite as funny as we did when R and I tried to rob them.  (We tend to be a tad bit ornery with them. . . )

We also spent an afternoon at the National Naval Aviation Museum.  FREE admission and it was AMAZING.  We were there for about three hours and still didn't make it out of the main building.  There was SO much to see and read.  I wish photos could truly show how many planes were in the building.  They were everywhere.  

All week at the beach and then at the playground, we kept seeing Blue Angels fly over.  I'm SO mad that I never got a picture--just so you know, those Blue Angels guys are kind of fast.  :)  But it was really cool to see them fly over.  There were several Blue Angel exhibits at the museum--and some real jets for the girls to sit in.  It was such a great museum--a little something for everyone.  When we go back, we definitely have to spend more than an afternoon there.  Maybe it will rain next time.  :)   

Another morning, we headed over to a state park at the tip of the island we were on.  We had packed the girls' kites because the beach has a few less trees than our backyard.  :)

New t-shirts and Blue Angel cap!

We had a little bit of trouble with one of the kites.  Can you tell whose wouldn't go up for more than a few seconds?

Poor Sassy.  Her kite just wasn't designed as well and despite our best efforts, it wasn't gonna happen. (R and I spent a TON of time trying to get that sucker up and nearly took out a rather large, oblivious sunbather more than once with a dramatic, sudden dive-bomb.)  You know, this was the only "fit" all week despite only two naps and crazy late bedtimes.  I'll take it.  We then broke out Daddy's new bocce ball set.  It worked great on the beach and we can't wait to take it camping! 

Our favorite outing was a three hour catamaran tour.  SO fun!  We could take our own snacks and beverages on board.  Yes, even the High Life!  :)  We didn't see any dolphins, but we did spy a hammerhead shark!  And I think he was a Blue Angel on the side--no pictures.  :(

On the way back, we stopped at an island on the bay side to play (the water wasn't nearly as pretty so I was really glad our condo was on the Gulf side!)  We took some kayaks out, and Sassy tried to paddle board.  She did great!  R, on the other hand, was less than impressed.  "I don't get it.  You just stand the whole time?"  I think a kayak with a High Life close is his preferred method of transportation.  :) 

Keke also looked for more sea shells and started hoarding hermit crabs.  She had no qualms about scooping them up; poor little things didn't know a Honey Badger was waiting outside!

It was such a great day.  I love that our kids love the water.  And R, I think they might be coming around to your catamaran plan.  :)   

    

Beach Bums

You know when your kids are infants every "stage" is your favorite?  That first smile.  Oh, THIS is the best age.  Then they roll over.  No, THIS is the best.  Then they crawl.  Oh, THIS is the best.  And then they turn one.  THIS is the best age. . . .   And it just goes on and on until they become stinkin' elementary kids.  Just kidding, Sassy!

Anyway, I'm sure that as time goes on, this may change but our first family "just-the-four-of-us" vacation was THE best.  I think I'm still in a funk that we had to come home plus shocked that everything went so well.  I kept waiting all week for the other shoe to drop and it never did.  :)  We had so much fun.  I don't know that the girls will truly remember their first time at the ocean, but it's a moment this mama will treasure forever.

First steps in!

Most of the week was obviously spent on the beach.  R and I are total beach bums.  We're perfectly content sitting under our umbrella, the waterproof speaker cranking out some Jimmy Buffett or Bob Marley, cold beverages in hand.  We can seriously spend all day like that.  I wasn't sure that the girls would share our vision but we happily spent many a day at the beach until the sun was long gone.

Still playing under the Super Moon!

They LOVED it.  The waves were a little more than I pictured (much bigger than other places on the Gulf we've visited) but they were just right.  In fact, Sassy became a kickboard pro!  It was so fun to watch her check out the waves and then kick like crazy as she caught one.

And once Keke realized that she couldn't just SIT and let the waves pummel her (and fill up her swimsuit bottom with buckets of sand), she loved the waves.  The last time R and I were in Fort Myers there were NO waves and the water felt like warm bath water.  So it was fun to have waves and the water was nice and cool.

Dad!  Carry me to da deep water!

Waves are more fun if Mommy holds you!

On more than one occasion, I caught them like this: holding on to each other while the waves came crashing in:

Warm fuzzies. . .  .  

And I love these next pictures.  It was at dusk (another late day on the beach!) and the girls were laying at the shore, letting the waves get them.  I just started snapping--and managed to get their expressions before, during, and after a wave hit.  Priceless giggles!!! 

They also had a blast in the sand.  Which I knew they would.  These girls should have been boys.  They can find THE dirt anywhere and start digging.  Parks, campsites, our gravel driveway, other people's yards.  It was so nice to have our own car because we could take all of our sand toys and outdoor stuff.  And even better: we just left everything on the condo's private beach every night at the spot we claimed.  No hauling stuff back and forth!  

The last day we were there the waves changed direction (I didn't even know they did that!) and they were more gentle.  For whatever reason, the water was super clear and gorgeous. And perfect for sea shelling. The girls spent hours looking for shells.

One of their treasures!  

As thrilled as we were to live like Jimmy Buffett all week, we did manage to leave the beach a few times.  More to come soon!

Pretty sweet to spend the first day of summer here!