Spring Break

This year for Spring Break, I was really looking forward to taking the kids back to Panama City Beach, as the last time we went, it was absolutely gorgeous, there's a ton of things to do, the beaches are just powder perfect and the water is a nice shade of emerald.  


Exactly what I'd expect out of a March getaway.


This year, it was extra awesome because The Joey and his little boy traveled with us.


Admittedly, I was a bit nervous to spend a whole week, uninterrupted together as a family.  I knew it was necessary as we will be blending families soon, but I was still just a tad anxious about it overall.


We went with 2 other families with children, so it was nice that our kids weren't cooped up on top of each other the whole time, and i think Joe and I did a good job of making sure all of the kids had individual time with us and so on.  Overall, the 3 of our kids did a really good job of  getting along.


We arrived early Saturday morning after driving all night Friday night.  Joe and the kids headed to the beach to check it out while I got us checked in.  We spent the day playing it low-key as the adults were tired and the kids were ready to go from sleeping all night!!


Sunday, we had another low-key day, exploring the area (as Joe and Dylan had never been) via Limo Golf-Cart, which unlike last time, did not break a wheel off during our drive.  Thank goodness!!


Monday, we headed to Ripley's Believe it or Not and Wonder Works, which are really cool buildings at the end of the strip in PCB.   Ripley's looks like the Titanic crashed in the middle of the street, and then across from it, the Wonder Works building is build literally upside down like the White House!  It's really a sight to see!  The kids declared that those two places were their favorite part of the trip until...


Tuesday when we headed out on the Pirate Ship.  Despite the fact that it's pretty pricey, it is a ton of fun.  The kids are fully occupied for nearly 2 hours, while the parents watch and enjoy the music and a nice 2 hour Gulf Cruise!


After the pirate ship, the kids declared that THAT was the best part of the trip.


Wednesday, I believe we took it easy and played by the beach and pool most of the day so we could prepare for a fun day on Shell Island the next day.


So, we got up and ready and headed to St. Andrews State Park where we boarded the little shuttle that took us to Shell Island.  We took a cooler bag with sandwiches and drinks and enjoyed a fun picnic on the beach!  On the way there, we passed about 4 dolphins swimming beside the boat.  One kept flapping its tail and splashing water on us! It was the cutest thing!  The kids really enjoyed exploring shell island and thanks to Joe and another friend that went, we were able to get real sand dollars out of the ocean for the kids.  They were THRILLED.


Wednesday night, the kids met some friends in our hotel and proceeded to hang out and "party" with them every night.  I remember being that age and thinking i was SO COOL... so it was really funny to watch the kids, especially my pre-teen son ... think he was cool.  I mean, he KNOWS he is cool, but to watch him, was a totally separate thing. 


So, each night the kids would all take chairs down to the laundry room area of the hotel (just about 6 doors down from our room, so we could hear them and easily check on them)  and just "hang out" listening to music from ipods, chatting, etc.  It was really, the cutest thing.


All i could think about was the memories they were all making of an evening, thinking they were super cool and independent without parents.


And I felt so thankful to be sharing in that experience/memory making with them.  Joe would take some popcorn down, drinks, cookies, and they'd just hang out until curfew!  


...and that...


...is where my son's first crush was developed.


(wiping tear from 'ol mom's eyes). 


Reaghan.


Sweet Reaghan.


A little girl who was just months older than him, but at least 6 inches taller and ... well... more developed.


Wow.


Although he'd never admit to the crush, a picture of the two of them resides as the "wallpaper" on his ipod. 


I think it's serious, guys.


I wonder if i should tell her that he still sleeps with "blankie and blue bear".


BHAHAH!  


Anyway - the forecast was calling for rain on Friday, so we were trying to get the kids packed and ready to leave Friday during the day.  The kids were NOT having it.  They begged and begged to stay one more night so they could "party".


...we gave in.


So, we started the long trek home on Saturday morning and ... after about 237489237942 bathroom stops, i was ready to pull over, cash out all of my life insurance and pension and invest in an RV with a bathroom on board.  Aside from all of the bathroom breaks, almost crashing somewhere in Alabama or Tennessee and miles and miles of road ahead of us to drive, we had a great time.


I consider Spring Break 2012 a success.