Our journey started on Friday night, when we packed up the car and headed down to Massachusetts to stay with Nana for the night. We got some pizza and all of us went off to bed pretty early as we had a 4:30 am wake up time to tackle!
Mom and I woke up right at 4:30 started the car and got you both up and ready for Grampie B to take us in to Boston. JD, as soon as I woke you up, you were all about Florida. You were excited even at this early hour. Adam, I don’t think you said a word from the time you woke up to the time we all got into the airport. The ride to Logan was rainy and quiet but we were so appreciative that Grampie got up so early for us.
After overcoming a 2-hour delay we were on board the plane. I sat with you both and Mom sat across the isle on the other side of me. We brought snacks, drinks, and my laptop for movies that would prove to fill about an hour and a half of our three-hour trip. As we got ready to take off JD said, “Hold on tight Adam!” Adam, you were having fun in your little seat saying, “Hold on tight, hold on tight!” As the plane started to move quickly just before take off Ad put his hands over his eyes (as he often does when he’s scared). Ad, you said, “Hug, hug, hug” just before you buried you head in my chest. By the time we got up in the air, you enjoyed seeing the houses (buildings), and the “Big Water” from the air. JD, now an old pro at flying wasn’t fazed at all but enjoyed looking out the window very much! Our flight was extremely painless, even the delay wasn’t a big deal relative to what it could have been. We arrived in Tampa around 1:30 on Saturday afternoon!
After we touched down and got our baggage we went across the street to get our rental van. While I was inside talking with the rental people, you both changed out of your sneakers to sandals and out of your long sleeve sweatshirts to short sleeve shirts. You did this outside and dipped you feet it a HUGE fountain afterwards.
After getting in the car we started our one-hour drive to Grandpa’s house! On the way we stopped to get a sub sandwich, as we hadn’t really eaten all morning. Mom ran in to get the sandwiches and had an interesting confrontation with a women inside. Mom was behind an African American couple when she dropped a dime on the floor. The man picked up the dime for Mom and it through his girlfriend in to a fit. This strange situation ended by the women calling Mom a, “Cracker!” Needless to say we had a lot of laughs about this for the rest of the week. Not the intro to Florida that we expected!
We arrived not to long after at Grampa’s house. Grandpa’s house is beautiful, set right on a pond with some neat wildlife out back. During our week we had a four foot crane that consistently came to visit us.
Adam, you also got everyone’s attention one night after dinner while you were on the porch yelling, “Bunny, bunny!” I came outback to look and found your bunny to be an armadillo! During our last trip there was an alligator perched outback all week long, but we didn't see him this time.We were all pretty tired from our early morning wake up, but not too tired to go down and check out the pool. Mom stayed back and got our stuff settled and Grandma and Grandpa took the three of us to the pool. Adam, you were hesitant of the water at first but this was short lived. By mid-week you were jumping in off the side, playing on the steps and putting your head under water. At one point you did a little dance (there is always music playing) and for your finale, you jumped right into the pool, which I was not expecting!
The next day we met up with Uncle Mike, his girlfriend and her kids. We took them to Siesta Key Beach
in Sarasota and had a great time. One of the kids was a boy (Jacob)seven years old, the other was a little girl (Olivia), I think maybe four years old. JD had so much fun playing with Jacob specifically. You both went off into the water for a good portion of the day. I think you helped Jacob feel comfortable in the water as I noticed he was moving out further and further throughout the day.I spent some time with Olivia. She is very cute and strong willed. We built sand castles, filled up water buckets, and dipped our feet in the water. She was calling me, “Partner.”
During this day Mom and I didn’t put much Suntan lotion on anyone but Addie. Unfortunately, the lotion found it’s way to one of Ad’s eyes, which caused some, discomfort for the first half of the day. The rest of us got scorched. This was JD’s first real sunburn and my millionth. Even Mom got burned. We were all nursing our burns into the evening, but we didn’t let it bother us too much!
Mom was able to get acquainted with Penny as She and Mike seem to be quite involved. Mom was also able to swim and talk one on one with her brother, certainly meaningful time well spent. We appreciated very much, Mike and the clan making the three-hour trip just to see us. It was great to see him happy to be with his lady.
The next day we were off to the Sarasota Mote Aquarium. This was the coolest aquarium I have even been to (although I think I’ve only been to two). The one in Boston is just one big tank with a couple little exhibits. This Aquarium had tons and tons of stuff to do. We witnessed the feeding of the sharks, JD touched a stingray, and we saw Nemo and Dory in one of tanks. We also saw giant sea turtle, two manatees and two dolphins. The manatee
was quite fond of JD, as he kept coming over to the glass and putting his nose right up to JD’s. The women said that this is how gives kisses. JD also had quite a few questions for the man that worked the dolphin tank, one of which he said he had never heard before.Adam, you enjoyed the small tanks of fish more than anything else. Ad, you ran from tank to tank pointing to each creature saying, “See, fishy, see fishy.” At one point we gave you some Goldfish Crackers to snack on, not noticing the “No Food” sign. You managed to throw one of these crackers into the shark tank right at feeding time when there were about fifty people watching!
For the rest of the week Mom and I decided to lay low and chill out at the beaches and the pool. Grandma and Grandpa offered to take us to some other places but we were excited to relax and
enjoy the weather and the water on the Gulf. We spent most time at Nokomis Beach just a 10-minute drive from the house. This beach was quite and not too populated, just perfect for us. We sat close to the water so you both could got back and forth from the water as you pleased. We did the normal things, built castles, went in the water, and most importantly we relaxed!
During this week we also had an UNO tournament. Grandpa was happy to win the first game, which turned out the be the last game he would win all week, and Grandma won the whole thing! JD, you continued to punish Mom, giving her quite a few, “Draw 4’s” and “Skips.”
We had some very nice lunch’s, dinner’s and maybe the best ice cream I have ever had. I was so fun to spend time with Gram and Grandpa and to enjoy the beautiful weather all week long.
Now we’re back! We have all had a tough time adjusting back, and perhaps Adam the most. The weather is actually pretty nice in Maine this week, 40-50 degrees. Adam enjoyed having so much to do in Florida, and he just loves playing in the water. It appears that he going to be a fish in water, just like his big brother. Ad, you’ve been a little bit cranky this week. I’m not sure if its because we let you get away with a lot of stuff last week, because you miss the family time, or simply because you miss the water? As I’m writing this, I’m realizing that I miss all of those things too..
Last night we were able to go out and play wiffle ball for the first time this spring. I noticed quickly that I know have two little guys to pitch to rather than just JD. Adam, you demanded to be just as much a part of the game as JD. JD, you were very tolerant of Adam too, which
will probably be necessary moving forward. I think Adam is going to bat lefty and throw righty. I’m not positive, but Ad, you swing well lefty and are stubborn with I try to switch your hands and you throw well righty, but a little awkward with your left. Time will tell, but I'm so happy to have you to play with too.Tonight we played ball again, and JD invented a new game. He sat in the wagon at the top of a small hill in our yard and rode it down the hill, steering with the handle. It didn't take long for Ad to jump on board too! I must say, it was so fun to watch.
Our Florida trip came at a great time. I have never gone to a warm climate in the middle of a cold New England season. It was great to spend time the Grandma and Grandpa, enjoy the beaches with Mom and you guys.
