Thursday, March 31, 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ft De Soto beach is my favorite place on this planet thus far. I just love the silky white sand, the gentle rolling surf, and the clear blue water. Love love love it. It doesn’t hurt that there is a dump station and free water nearby either!

When we first arrived at the beach, we followed a different path that led to a secluded, partly shaded mini beach that really was fantastic for small children, but it wasn’t the beach experience that I was looking for, so we packed up and headed back to the main beach. Even thought the water was much colder, so cold in fact that we really didn’t want to swim, we all had a fantastic time. Noah and Matthew dug to China, Molly buried herself in the sand, Katherine found seashells, and Christopher was as happy as a clam climbing in and out of the holes, and showing us shells that he would pick up. I was just so thrilled to have the sun shining on my face with the sound of the surf in the background. Pure heaven.

When we were leaving Gary was doing his “COD check” (which is what the children call his OCD inspired pre trip checklist) when he discovered that our trailer wires were severed. We drove quickly to a grocery store so I could replenish supplies while he worked on the wires. I was so happy to find that he had it all repaired by the time I was done shopping!

We then drove back to our beloved Cracker Barrel parking lot in St. Pete, where we spent the third night this week.

Today we are headed back to the home of our friends, the “Ham” family. The kids were SO excited to find out that we were going back that they begged me to drive there last night!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sunday, February 20, 2011

We woke up in the Cracker Barrel parking lot today intending to get an early start and hit the flea market first thing. Instead Gary waxed some of the motor home and I made pancakes. We eventually made our way over there where we met up with my father.

Everyone wanted to go to the beach when we were done, but my father offered us to come to his condo, do wash, swim in the pool, and visit a bit, so that we did. The kids did little more than watch television all afternoon, and for the few minutes that I sat to watch as well I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It didn’t feel like a negative influence that I needed to limit but rather a nice indulgence.

I was able to get all my flea market fruit cut up while we were there (watermelon $4, cantaloupe $1, honeydew $2, pineapple $2, and half a flat of strawberries for $7!).

Now we are back home, in the Cracker Barrel parking lot, planning to get an early start and head to the beach in the morning!