I mentioned yesterday that while we were in Miramar Beach / Destin, FL we took the kids on a pirate ship cruise. Hmm...what to say? The kids loved it. The grown-ups realized it was not all it's cracked up to be. Anyway, it was quite the experience, that's for sure...
Rob, ready to board the ship
Above and below: Rob and Whit before and after setting sail
There were 3 "pirates" on board. Captain Cameron (not pictured) First Mate Tony (above) and Blackbeard (below).
Shortly after setting sail, we found a treasure chest! Blackbeard ran ashore and retrieved it for the kids.
Caroline was super excited about her gold dubloons!
What do you do when it's hot? You pass out water guns and initiate a gun-slinging squirt fight, of course! That was next on the agenda:
After a 2-hour trip around Destin Harbor, we were back on dry land, scurvy-free! All in all I would recommend this trip only to the pirate enthusiasts or young at heart. It was not terribly exciting, but the kids did have a nice time.
Last week, the Morris family spent a week at the beach in NW Florida. We stayed at SanDestin Beach and Golf Resort, which I learned is actually in Miramar Beach, FL, not Destin, FL.
In what promised to be an unfortunate coincidence, Tropical Storm Debby was also headed to the NW Florida shoreline. In fact, as we pulled out and started driving south, I was getting so worried about the weather I could hardly concentrate. But within 48 hours, it was clear that Debby's course would change for our benefit.
Clockwise from top left: 1. Sunday afternoon just across the FL state line 2. crossing the Choctawhatchee Mid-Bay bridge 3. Waking up Monday morning to a promising sky 4. Dinner Monday night...the hint of a rainbow is a promise of better weather ahead!
The week started off with a little work business to attend. Mom and I had to expo at a writing conference. My pregnant BF Lorie rode down with me. Her husband helped the two of us get set up until Mom could join us from yet another conference that started off her week. Here's how our 3 tables looked:
On Tuesday Bobby and the kids made it down. By Tuesday night, we were a party of eight: Mom, Lorie, Shane and their daughter Whitney, Bobby, me, and our 2 kids.
Although we were working, we had our afternoons free...and that led us to discover something we had never personally realized before: the beach in the afternoons is prime time for play. Normally we head out all day then rush back to shower and get ready for evening activities. But when you take away your timed schedules, there is a real opportunity for evening seashore enjoyment. Don't believe me? Take Caroline and Whitney's word for it:
Overall it was a great trip. Our kids all played so well together. In fact, I really don't believe a vacation of this nature would be possible if not for the seamless blending of families.
Whitney and Rob, same age minus 3 months.
Friday was a beach-free day. We spent the morning at the pool and that afternoon the mommies and Nona took the kids on a pirate ship while the Daddies played golf. I will do a separate post about it later this week, but it was so much fun! Like I said, that morning was just a pool day, and as an added bonus my dad, Papa Joe, came in town too! Dad's sister lives just a quick 20 minutes from where we were and Dad was off the road for a little break. So it worked out that he got to see his sister and his daughter/grandkids all in one day. Swimming with Papa Joe was fun!
The worst part about beach vacations is how quickly they seem to end. Yet, as always, I know we will return soon. Here are way too many a few shots from the week of fun:
Aren't naps on the beach the greatest?
Happy Fourth of July! Today is one of those days where we are going to relax and enjoy the independence given to us by Independence Day! I hope your day is just as good!
This week, I got to escape "life" and head down to the beach for a couple of days. My mom's job took us down to Orange Beach as a vendor to display at a conference. At first she and I were going to go down there and stay in a hotel and head right back. But once we got the schedule we realized we would have free afternoons each day. So we decided to bring my girlfriend Lorie as our au pair for the mornings. Her daughter Whitney (6) and Rob always play so well together. Then our afternoons would be vacation days. Here's how it all went...
Day One -- Arrival, Set-Up, Check In
It was so incredibly humid as we were unloading our wares into the exhibition space. But we didn't think much about it. Until this happened:
Needless to say, we were so afraid this was going to be the tone for the weekend. Ugh-uh...
Nah. We got checked into the condo next, and it wasn't long before the kids were itching to hit the beach. I love the shore at dusk. The beach is quiet and the water is usually warmer from the day. The kids loved it too.
Day Two -- Work and Play
Keeping in mind that this was a working vacation for Mom and me, we had to get up the next morning at 5:45 AM! And let me tell you, that was one early wake up call! I didn't take any pictures of our set up this time, but I wasn't all that pleased with it, anyway.
While we were working, Lorie took the kids to the Gulf Shores Zoo. While there, Rob apparently overcame his trepidation of interacting with and feeding live animals!
Soon enough it was time to play, and we had beautiful weather!
By the way, do you remember my sweet Rob took swimming lessons? Well they paid off! He swam like a fish!
That night we had a delicious dinner out at one of my all time favorite haunts in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach.
Day Three -- More Work, More Play
This was the last day of our conference and of our quick little vacation. It marked another early wake-up call for mom and me. It was odd leaving the condo while the others were asleep. We kind of snuck out each morning. On this day Rob, Whitney, and Lorie went to an arcade for a few hours until we were through with our responsibilities.
The afternoon marked more pool time for the kids. Have I mentioned that since Rob discovered his newly acquired skills and love of swimming, he wants nothing to do with the beach? Yeah, that's not going over very well with this beach-bum mom, but we'll work on that later. Quiet night in the condo. The kids watched Dolphin Tale and attempted to watch We Bought a Zoo but they were fast asleep quickly. All this playing truly wore their little bodies out!
Day Four -- Home, James
It's true what they say, all good things must come to an end. This almost felt like a marathon of a trip. We squeezed in both work and play. We loaded and unloaded the car, we beached, swam, watched movies, ate, and more! By the time I got home, I felt like I was wearing 10-ton weights around my shoulders and ankles. But I think the kids enjoyed themselves. Lucky Lorie and Whitney got to check out of our condo and check into another one with their family for a (much more relaxing) few days. But I know I will be back to the coast really soon!
