Din-Din

Special dinners were a great theme to the vacation. We started the vacation with cousins Lezah and Gloria and Lezah's stepfather Rick at Backwater's on Sand Key. The kids really enjoyed the boardwalk.

One of the most perfect things about having Grandma and Grandpa with us was that they were able to spend special time and dinners with John and Jodi.

On Thursday, and after a big time on the golf course, John and Jodi hosted all of us for dinner. By this point, Zane warmed up to John. Zane slipped John a couple of cheers earlier in the day. (The following picture reminds me that we joked that Zane sort of blended in with the pavers on the patio.)

             

While Grandpa grilled, the kids could swim and Daddy could fish in the pond out back.

 

Dinner was great but the kids and Daddy were tuckered out. Good thing our condo was only a mile away so "the kids" could go to bed!

Parks & Recreation

Even with their high energy, Vanessa and Zane are always promoting relaxation and enjoyment. It's interesting to me, however, how the definition for vacation can vary, depending on one's need to refresh his or her health and spirit. For Vanessa and Zane, there would be no vacation without playgrounds. :)  So naturally Vanessa asks over and over for the nearest one. The adventure is even cooler when there are new people to meet and play with. Clearwater has a really nice playground (aside from all the cigarette butts left in the sand.) There Vanessa met another Vicky and another Olivia.

As seen in the pictures below, both parks and playgrounds stimulated play and enjoyment, leaving us refreshed.

On Thursday, while Daddy and Grandpa golfed with JZ, and after a very short rain, the rest of us went to the park across the highway from the condo, per JZ's suggestion. We discovered that John Chestnut State Park is a really neat place and was worth our playtime. There were numerous alligators. The ones we saw were small, so it was probably safe for Mommy to walk up to one for a picture.

The trees were pretty.

Lake Tarpon was pretty.

Along the boardwalk we saw all kinds of interesting life, including insects and bugs. The breeze over the water was nice too.

The playground near the boardwalk was too covered with gnats and mosquitoes, so we headed back to the playground closest to the park entrance. Grandma walked Zane in the stroller so he could nap. So peaceful . . .

Once at the playground, Vanessa could climb and make friends. A 4th-grade class from a local elementary school came to the park after finishing their standardized tests. Vanessa had no problems with interjecting herself into their play. :)

I seriously had to ask Vanessa not to kiss this frog. She would have. After Zane woke from his nap, we picnicked. Then Zane swung and stretched his legs.

On Friday, before visiting the beach, we checked out Fort De Soto. (Don't let Vanessa's jeans fool you -- it was scorching hot -- her choice on outfit.)

After hanging at the beach on our last day of Vacation 2012, and with no pictures to prove it, you can bet there was more time at a playground.

Date Night

Mommy and Daddy had a date night too! Before leaving Ohio, Vanessa helped to pick out a dress for Mommy to wear on her date. The blue was a perfect shade. (Grandma captured a nice photo of us before leaving -- to be shared!) We got to Bon Appetit just before sunset. They opened the door and escorted us right to our table with the perfect view, without a moment of waiting. Dinner of crab claws, filet and lobster tail was perfect.

 

 

 

After dinner we walked out over the ocean on the boardwalk adjacent to the restaurant. Then we went on a drive to look for a particular park. We were unable to find the park in the dark so we ended up back by the causeway leading to Honeymoon Island. Before vacation, we leased a new van. There are lots of things that tickle us about the van, but one of the coolest features is that the back row of seats adjust to become seats facing backward, out of the tailgate. We backed the van up to the ocean and hung out for a while. Mommy figured it couldn't be legal to be there so late, but according to local stories, it's very legal. Mommy could hang there almost all of the time!

 

 (Approximately 11PM)

Ahoy

(Future blog header ;-)

When plans changed last minute, Grandpa suggested we venture out on the pirate boat at Clearwater. I was a tad concerned it might be difficult, but it wasn’t, and Grandpa’s idea proved to be one of the best. John and Jodi spent their 2^nd wedding anniversary with us. They are awesome like that. It was a blast. There were a lot of beverages and plenty to keep Vanessa engaged. Vanessa played in a water gun battle, went on a treasure hunt, listened to pirate stories, danced, and played games. She was sad to lose Musical Chairs but we assured her that she will play again one day, and maybe then she will win. Zane loved the stairs. And Captain Memo stopped Zane from invading his station. Zane also loved the windows on the boat and Daddy’s shoulders.

 

If you look closely, you can see Grandpa in the reflection on the window box on the left.

Vanessa wasn’t sure about the mustache and goatee, yet she and Grandpa made great pirate buddies.

Vanessa asked numerous times to go back to the pirate boat. Obviously it made quite the impression.

Break Away

 

 

 

We returned last evening from a wonderful break from reality. Upon signing my current work contract last fall, Daddy recognized we would need a break from the overload we have been keeping. My work schedule gave hints that April would be a perfect time. By early November we booked a place in Palm Harbor, FL. Daddy thought Mommy would love the area and ocean nearby. Shortly after, the idea and hope that Grandma and Grandpa would come with surfaced. Mention of the idea helped us realize that we coincidentally booked a place 1 mile from one of Daddy's godfathers, Grandpa's best friend from college. Had to be meant to be. 

Vanessa counted down the long five months we waited. In hindsight, the time came quickly. Vanessa made plans to fly a kite on the beach. She did. And she flew it well. Grandma helped prepare the string. Daddy and Grandpa coached her on getting it into the air. Vanessa also created games to play. One game involved a Frisbee. Grandpa very willingly played.

Zane had plans to play in the sand. He did. Like his Daddy, Zane knows how to take a break. He happily went with the flow.

Mommy made plans to capture fun, precious, and memorable photos. And with the help of Grandma, she did. The time flew too quickly, but the memories and photos will last forever. Daddy's plan was for us all to break away from the grind. And we did. Thank you, Daddy, for making it happen.

Expect a week in sharing. Our reflections will help us readjust to the work and yucky cold here in Ohio. Really -- 50 degrees and windy? The weather in Florida was 99.7% awesome (167.5 hours/ 168 hours). We miss you Vacation 2012!

Tinker Boy

Zane likes to create, build, fix, and enhance things. And he attempts to clean up after he's done.