I Get It

singing "Itsy Bitsy" at the character breakfast

OK so there are many aspects of parenthood that I didn't get until I joined the club... The most embarrassing admission is that often when parents told me about situations they were sad or excited about prior to having kids, I just didn't exactly see how those emotions would arise... like sending your kid off to school on the first day... why tears? wouldn't it be excitement?...stupid I know...  Yes, it should be obvious.  I quickly joined the club, though, and was teared up in the parking lot the first time Elsie ran off on her own at school.... Then there were the characters--I never got why parents thought that it was a big deal for their kids to interact with fake people and was puzzled by their running frantically after a Bat or a Sandgnat.... but here I was standing by Dora, Diego, and Boots grinning---and I'm off to the side with Spongebob and Patrick (just learned his name) so you can't see me in the pictures--and didn't get a picture with the Wonderpets duck, but I would have been there too.  Yes, that's me the eager smiling turncoat next to Elsie and Kit and the big dressed up faker!

Day 4: Jacksonville Zoo

After lots of big hugs and tearful goodbyes, we loaded up and headed northward toward home.  Just when we thought we couldn't drive another mile, we stopped at the Jacksonville Zoo and ran around.  What a great zoo!  We loved seeing all of the animals, feeding the giraffes, riding the train and carousel, visiting the Dino exhibit, and playing in the splash park.  Mom and I could not get enough of the anteater with a baby on her back whom she couldn't shake off for anything.... Sounded vaguely familiar....

After that, it was just a few hours before home and a reunion with Daddy and a delicious welcome home dinner.... Home sweet home!

Day 3: Vero Beach

After good night sleeps for everyone (including two girls in sleeping bags!) and breakfast at Gram's, she shared lots of fun treats with the girls--legos, Mr. Potato Head, Uno, Stomp Rockets--and we played for a bit a her place which is of course perfectly decorated and lovely.  Her grounds are also gorgeous and the facility includes exercise equipment, a games room, a pool, a putt-putt course, shuffleboard, ponds, even turtles.  Everyone there stopped and spoke with us and shared wonderful words about Gram.

We headed out for a picnic and visit to the splash park for lunch pre-naps.  The girls clearly wore themselves out and were able to nap side-by-side in their sleeping bags that afternoon before drinks and dinner with Gram--this time at the scenic Lobster Shanty, close enough to the pier for a sunset run.  

We loved seeing Gram and visiting with her and hope to again soon!

Day 2: Our Real Destination--A Reunion for Four Generations

After departing Orlando (with the Titos who nearly stayed tucked under Elsie's pillow at the Nickelodeon Suites Hotel), we headed south to Vero Beach to our ultimate destination: Gram's place.  We were all beyond thrilled to see her and give her big hugs.  She looks stunning of course--and I certainly hope she passed on her genes along with her name to me.  She hosted us at her beautiful home housing my girls and me in the luxurious guest apartment on the third floor--the elevator was also a huge hit!  That Tuesday evening, she took us to a dynamite dinner at Mr. Manatee's.  Everyone ate well and the hospitality from everyone we encountered was extraordinary.  It was the start of a magical visit.