Beach Vacation

To the two or three of you loyal followers of our blog, I apologize for the lack of postings the last few weeks. We've been cramming in as much summer fun as our schedules permit and this has left a serious lack of time for downtime, and therefore blogging.

Last week we returned from a week in sunny southwest Florida.  The night before we left for vacation, we surprised the girls with a colored blue bubble bath (to mimic the ocean) and it filled with bath style ocean creatures. The girls giggled and played with the fake ocean, and even created their own waves, before getting out eager to go to sleep for our next day of travel. Upon exiting the baths, the girls were greeted with matching custom made mermaid dolls and matching seashell nightgowns and a little sign that said, "Happy Beach Vacation."

Now, the gifts and surprises might seem a bit over the top, and likely they were. These girls want for NOTHING but an idea had struck (all of my own, not even Pinterest inspired) and I was determined to follow through. The excitement was contagious and completely worth the little amount of planning needed to pull it all off.
 

Beautiful sisters wearing their new matching pajamas, clutching their mermaids

Fast forward the travel day and we were finally at the beach!! Oh, my soul comes alive near the water. Perhaps it's because of my childhood wish to be a marine biologist (before my first actual biology class), the nostalgia of living on Australia's Central Coast, whatever the reason...the ocean and shore is truly one of my most happy places on Earth!

Clearly, I was not the only one in my family who felt this way. Maya oohed and ahhed and couldn't wait to get out of my arms and into the sand and water, where she spent hours digging up sea shells and pouring sand every which way.

T.J. and Elliana hit the surf, and didn't rejoin us for close to two hours. They bobbed and floated on the gentle waves and I could hear the shrieks of happiness from my sandy spot.

We filled our week long trip with multiple trips to the beach, and of course the resort pool where Elliana gained so much confidence in swimming. Prior to the trip she preferred to wear a floatie and was afraid to try new things. A few hours alone with Daddy and she was swimming with her face underwater, no floatie and no fear!! We are so very proud!! 

We took a break from the sunshine fun with a quick trip to the outlet mall where we stopped at only one store!!! A new record for me and practice in cutting out the "excess" from our life. The girls had so much fun hanging with Daddy while Momma browsed and of course we spent a great deal of time at the playground. 

Pretty Sisters enjoying vacation

Fish Kisses from the playground 

 We didn't book our vacation just to visit friends, but boy were we glad to visit them!!! My long lost college roommate is blessed enough to live in this beautiful city and showed us the ropes and some of their favorite spots. Elliana and Maya loved spending time with Nick and Megan and warmed up instantly! TJ and I loved having fellowship and friendship that we don't make a priority in our lives often enough. What a blessing that we were able to hang out with this awesome couple three times in one week!! I'm already going through withdrawal without them!

I still can't get over the vast amount of nature and wildlife we witnessed during our short stay, without even trying! From our ocean view room, we witnessed dolphins playing in the harbor. On a walk to the beach, we saw an entire family of manatees, baby and all, swim under the bridge we were walking on. Alligators, crabs, exotic birds and lush landscaping all enticed me and rustled my previously sleepy spirit. 

Elliana and I overlooking the harbor

We played putt-putt where Elliana scored a hole in one, and Maya chased the balls and signed "finished" most of the time. It was a work out but memorable, and thats all we could hope for. 

And of course, we enjoyed a LOT of ice cream. My personal favorite....the Love Boat Homemade Ice Cream. YUMMY and I loved the hand painted mural on the wall outside. Elliana snagged a rare photo of T.J. and I while Maya photo bombed.

No vacation is all sunshine and roses,  but always leave happy memories and learning experiences. So grateful for this unexpected, and much needed beach vacation.