We were fortunate enough to get to spend another week down in Florida at Matt's parents' place last week. It was the first time that it was only our immediate family there and while it felt a little odd (the kids said they like it better when "everyone" is there), it was nice to have a warm, relaxing week with just the five of us.
On one of our first days there, we went back to the Naples Zoo. Or, as Matt told the kids, we paid money to go look at animal poop - a line that I've heard almost every day since then. (It is pretty funny. And kind of true.)
There was a little drama with the kids having to alternate using the stroller, but the place isn't that big, so I'm going to chalk that up to their being over-tired from sharing a room and not going to sleep when they should have.
We watched the alligator feeding, the tiger "talk" and went on the boat cruise to see the islands the monkeys live on. Miles was definitely more excited about the boat than any of the animals.
Once again, the kids got lots of compliments on their shades.
I had only used the Ergo a handful of times before Paige, but I've become a firm believer. It's so much easier to carry her in that than to get around with a stroller.
We also made a stop at Royal Scoop. The kids were excited to sit on the cow again.
And Paige had her first taste of ice cream.
There's a lizard on the sign in this picture (by the "S"). Brooke requested several random pictures of wildlife that we saw while we were there so that she could "sketch" them later.
Walking to the pool.
Much like when were were there in December, we let Paige hang out in the stroller until she got tired of it.
Then she got in the water with us and splashed up a storm.
"Relaxing" after swimming. We spent quite a bit of time at the pool this trip. There were a few other families there that we saw on a couple of occasions, so of course Brooke became besties with Maggie, Lily and Gavin. Brooke got pretty good at diving for things in the more shallow water and Miles enjoyed jumping in by himself (with his floatie on).
We got a show one day after lunch. They just marched around in that circle, singing and dancing. They reminded me of that Kristen Wiig and Fred Arneson sketch on SNL where they make up songs but pretend they both know the song and are singing in unison. I found it hilarious.
We finally made them stop, so naturally it was time to take a bow.
We had several nice dinners out. The club is always a highlight.
Brooke asked at one of our dinners why everyone who ate there had white hair. At one restaurant, we had a table right by the door and no fewer than five groups of people stopped to chat up the kids. We felt like celebrities.
Bocce ball at Fish Crazy.
Brooke helped Matt grill when we ate in. From what I hear, they had some pretty deep conversations down there.
The kids had fun looking for animals in the pond. There was an alligator there for several days.
"Who needs to sleep through the night?!? We're on vacation!"
Miles the photobomber.
If he ever makes an album (because why wouldn't he?), this should be the cover art.
NOT a fan of the surf on her toes.
"Hey, guys! Say cheese!" These kids.
Brooke had fun swimming at the beach, too. She kind of learned how to catch a wave back in to the shore.
He was excited by the tracks that the sheriff's four-wheeler left.
We also spent some time at playgrounds. This was at the zoo.
And in Bonita Bay.
Stink face.
It was her first time sitting in the grass, but in her defense, this grass isn't the softest.
She was happier watching from a lap.
Playing at the park before watching the sunset.
This is her "sketching." And the pink thing next to her is a plastic phone that she carried everywhere because she didn't want to miss any "texts or phone calls." She gets that from her dad. You can ask anyone who knows me that I don't even know where my phone is half the time.
Her sketch. There was a sunset, a bird and a spider.
Our last excursion was to a Red Sox spring training game. Miles was really excited to go, but almost as soon as we got there, he'd ask, "Did they win? We go home now?" anytime there was applause.
We got some ice cream and made our way down to the lawn, where the kids were given balls by the bullpen guys.
They were SO excited. It was really fun to see.
It was a great vacation and once again, we're so thankful to have a place that we can make memories like these, and family that's so generous to share it.
It was a great trip. Bring on spring!
