It was so nice to be in warm...almost hot weather for an entire week! We left behind cold, rainy, and a little snowy weather, so it was a true blessing to be in the sunshine and soaking up the heat! The kids loved it! Florida definitely wasn't as relaxing as I remember, but I haven't been there with kids before either! ;) But it was so fun to see Elsa and Gavin enjoying the same things I enjoyed during my Spring Breaks as a kid...the lizards, Mixon's, the beach, searching for sea shells, the beach shops, ice cream, fun dinners out, playing at Grandma's, the pool, walking around the park, and seeing the differences between Michigan and Florida.
Day 1
Our first full day there was Easter Sunday. The kids woke up super early...but we held them off until about 7 to get their Easter basket surprises and have an Easter egg hunt.
They got some new toys to play with in Florida, some new books, a couple of treats, and goggles!
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| Gavin showing off a big Easter egg. |
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| Elsa looking for her eggs. |
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| Gavin...on a mission to find his Easter eggs! |
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| Playing with his new bubbles! |
We went swimming pretty much everyday, twice a day during the times allowed for kiddos. The kids loved the pool! They were in it from the time we got there until we said it was time to go!
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| This was Gavin's spot at the pool - hanging out on the steps. |
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| Elsa LOVED her new goggles! |
Catching lizards was fun! Auntie first caught one in a net and the girls were really excited to catch them!
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| Auntie showing the girls the lizard she caught ... |
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| ...they were very fascinated... |
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| ...and excited to try it on their own! |
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| Elsa caught one! |
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| Elsa said she wasn't tired...but after five minutes I found her like this! :) |
And then of course, more pool time, home for supper, and then off to bed!
Day 2
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| Elsa and I went for a little walk...just the two of us. |
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| Kiya and Elsa reading books outside. |
We went to Mixon's...home of the best OJ ever! :)
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| A plant tour |
Trying out their orange swirl ice cream!
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| Makiya chose vanilla...:) |
There's a fun, outside play area at Mixon's now!
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| The kids liked the maze...it was a good thing the walls weren't taller because we lost Gavin a couple of times! |
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| Going through the tunnel... |
Beautiful flowers and greenery all around!
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| And some toys |
It was hot! So we got home, had a quick snack, and then headed to the pool to cool off! Then back to Grandma's for supper and bed!
Day 3
We spent a lot of time today at the pool! Then we headed out to Anna Maria Island for a little walk on the beach, a great supper at The Sandbar, and a little shopping at some of the beach shops.
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| Their first look at the ocean! |
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| Elsa loved looking for sea shells! |
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| Gavin and Daddy waiting at the restaurant |
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| It was a long wait! The kids got a yummy icy drink. Elsa's was strawberry. |
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| And Gavin got mango |
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| Kiya's was strawberry too! |
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| Cheers! |
Day 4
We spent today at Bradenton Beach...playing in the sand and ocean, watching a stingray come way too close, eating ice cream, and shopping at the beach shops. The kids were exhausted and napped in the car on the way home. We also stopped by the Red Barn Flea Market...a place Mallory and I visited when we were younger.
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| Building sand castles |
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| Collecting sea shells |
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| Playing in the waves |
They mostly just stayed in the water around their ankles...
then they decided to start dumping buckets on water on their heads!
After a picnic lunch at the beach, we changed into dry clothes, and headed to get treats and do some shopping.
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| Gavin enjoying his ice cream monster |
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| Elsa really liked hers too! |
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Totally forgot to bring shoes for Gavin...oops!
This beach shop had a giant pirate statue. Gavin loves pirates! He kept standing there and talking to it. Finally he turned and looked at me and said, "Mommy, why him not talk to me?" |
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| The Green Turtle...my sisters and I LOVED this beach shop when we visited on our family spring break trips. |
Talk about an exhausting day!
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| After bath iPad time to relax before bed. |
Day 5
Today was a pool day and a packing up day. We went to the pool twice, played outside, picked up/cleaned up Grandma's house, and started packing our bags so we'd be ready to hit the road bright and early in the morning.
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| This is Gavin's "thinking face". When I asked him to think about a choice, he'd make this face and say, "I tinking Mommy!" |
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| Auntie and Kiya! |
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| Gavin liked wearing goggles too! |
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| Elsa started the week out, not wanting to put her face in the water. By the end of the week she was constantly dunking herself! |
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| And floating! She did a great job swimming! |
Day 6
We left early Friday morning and headed out. Thankfully we beat most of the traffic and made good time. We stayed in Corbin, KY the first night. I had a terrible migraine and stayed in the hotel, but the kids got to enjoy another night of swimming at the hotel pool!
Day 7
We made it home by 1:00 on Saturday! We were SO glad to get out of the van! What a fun-filled, adventurous trip!
Extras... Cute Pictures
The kids in front of Grandma's house
I am so thankful we were able to take this trip together as a family!
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