Wednesday, April 11, 2012

How long until spring break next year?

In an effort to not get a year behind on the life documentation that was once this blog, I cannot let a post about spring break go unwritten. (Feel free to click off and hunt for p0rn or up-to-the-minute Kardashian news if you are not a grandparent or one of the people with us on this trip.)

We were invited by some friends to come share a beach house with another family in Florida.

Ten kids.
Three moms.
No dads.
A week on the beach.

What could have been a recipe for mayhem was a recipe for success. We had SO. MUCH. FUN.

So much so, that midweek, I realized with horror that it wasn't actually summer, and that we'd have to return to a rainy, wet, Midwest and resume getting up early in the morning for school.

It was a depressing 45 seconds.

Then, I gave myself over to the gloriousness that was our time there and sucked the marrow from life.

As you should during a week-long beach vacay.

Chase begged to bring his newly-received raft, and I gave in with reservations. I worried that it would take up too much room and not get used by anyone.

Oh, I was sorely mistaken. I think the raft was probably the most-used item, second only to the showers. They played in it every day. At the beach. In the pool. Everywhere. And, clearly, all at once.

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Also a hot commodity were the many iPads. Will my children ever appreciate the gadgets that are such a big part of their world? Will they ever understand how I survived a childhood without them?

And with the hours of silent entertainment they bring, do I really want them to?

I'm going with a resounding no.

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Mindy wins the award for best sport. When she reached down to get something out of the pool, my evil instincts kicked in and before I could stop myself, I gave her tiny backside a push. She fell in head first, clothes and all, and came up laughing. I waited tentatively all week for her revenge, but she never once retaliated. THAT, peeps, is a good friend to have around.

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Also exciting was sharing the city with several intoxicated college students, who were also on spring break. Notice the handsome fellow bravely wearing a bright yellow speedo in the background? TOTALLY Mindy's team. Given to her generously by Beckie and I. Because we're just kind like that.

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Also awesome was the up close and personal lesson my children received on the down sides of alcohol. Watching a group of (I'll call them) kids beer bonging on the beach at 11 a.m. left a pretty bitter taste in the mouths of us un-drunk beach goers. Thank you, spring breakers, for showing my kids firsthand what I want them to avoid.

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All in all, it was a dream week. Even puncutated by the usual trip to urgent care for our family, it was a vacation to remember. One I'm anxious to go back to right now.

7 comments:

shilo said...

A trip with you, Mindy, and Beckie? Sounds like soooo much fun. I'm more jealous than I care to admit. Glad you had fun!

melissa walker said...

Your beach pictures look eerily like our beach pictures (minus the great photography skills for mine)--were you on the gulf side of Florida? We might have been there at the same time! All us midwesterners seeking out the closest beach!

Travelin'Oma said...

I went to a bridal shower tonight and my friends were asking if you're OK because you haven't posted for a while. Your followers will be glad to see everything is right in Stie land.

Anonymous said...

Just from Instagram I could tell it was an amazing trip. I need to email you for details-- we need a sunny trip next year.

I've missed your blogging but I SO understand. love you. m

Lauren in GA said...

Awwww...Urgent Care trip? I guess it wouldn't be a family vacation without one of those. You and I have that in common...we always seem to have sicknesses/injuries.

You look fabulous, Stie. I love your hair, and gorgeous smile in the final picture. I kind of feel like a stalker the way I stared at it.

That is an awesome picture of your friend Mindy. I love how you captured it. That was quick work, my dear...push her in and then get the camera ready. You always impress :)

I also love the, "King of the Mountain" boat battle. So fun ☺.

Juli said...

So, I saw the cork borad post and was thinking, "Lord... she IS crafty", and then somehow managed to miss this post.

And now I am jealous. And secretly counting down the days until our trip to Florida, three Moms (Okay one's a grandma), three kids (okay so not nearly as chaotic) and a house in the Keys.

:)

But don't be expecting any fabulous pictures from me... I have no skills.

mama jo said...

looks like so much fun