Well, maybe not ALL I ever wanted, but it has definitely been on the top of my list for a while. The trip to Key Biscayne was really wonderful. I apologize that it took me so long to get pictures up and finish this entry, but I tried to do a little from Florida and blogger kept timing out when I would upload my pics. It only takes a couple times of that happening for me to give up. Getting back home has been busy, too. I really wasn't ready to come back!! Oh well, hopefully we'll get another short vacation this summer and it will satisfy my craving for time away...
So, on to the trip. Can we just start with some super cuteness? Truitt was so excited to be on the plane and be travelling that he never napped while en route. It took about 2 minutes in the rental car for him to go out like a sack of potatoes. So, we spent our 1st hour at the hotel sitting on the patio while Turtle grabbed a late and much needed nap.
Turtle, dead asleep; Our "bay view" from the patio. Yes, that is actually water way off in the distance!
As soon as nap time was over, we cleaned up and headed out to see the grounds and the beach. This was Tru's 1st time at the beach, so it was a lot of fun to watch him. He is so clever- even never having been to the beach before, he knew right away that he wanted his shoes off. Instinct, I guess! I love these pics of him barefoot on the beach. They just scream "childhood." Of course, the real thrill for him was the tractor that came down the beach later on to comb it and pick up towels. He was beside himself with excitement over that. LOL. Funny boy!
Ready to go!
A rare picture with Mama, out from behind the camera for once.
Proper beach etiquette means washing your feet!
There is a large, grassy area in the center of the grounds. I think it's just there for aesthetics but at any given time kids are using is as a track, wrestling ring or soccer field. It was really nice to let Truitt run barefoot like this. At home, I am always too paranoid about red ants and all kinds of other bad stuff that lurks in Texas grass. I put the chemicals used to maintain the grounds out of my head and we just let him go. He loved every.last.second. of it and requested a run in the grass daily.
That look on his face is called "sheer joy."
Mama in the grass (29 weeks pregnant); the view of the hotel from the grounds.
It was cool in the mornings, but afternoons were great in the pool. The "family" pool had one of those shallow entrances where little ones can walk in. Truitt LOVED it. He couldn't get enough (and he looked damn cute in his swim trunks and rash shirt). Sadly, I am a pool lover too, but this giant pregnant thing makes getting in and out tough and my reflexes are not quick enough to watch Tru on my own. Pool time was definitely a Turtle and Dada thing, but they enjoyed the time together so I can't complain...
Turtle quickly learned the many perks of being in a hotel. One of his favorite was the nice, big bathtub that allowed him to keep "swimming" long after leaving the pool. Plus, this picture is just too cute not to post.
We all slept very well in the big, cushy kind bed. Nothing like black out curtains to help one get a decent night's sleep. Of course, they didn't fool Turtle when it came to morning. He was up at 7 am central time, as always. It was ok, though. You get so much more done in a day when you don't sleep it away. We had a couple of fun adventures, plus plenty of pool time. Mama and Dada even had spa appointments.
One of the smart things we did (thanks, Ray) was book rooms on the concierge level. It was so nice to just get up and head down to the floor below and eat some breakfast at the club without having to go all the way down and wait at a restaurant. Not to mention the staff was beyond friendly. We didn't take advantage of it, but they also have a little "club" tent down by the beach where you can get snacks during the day. Well worth the extra money per night when you consider how much even a soda is at the pool...
Turtle enjoying some cereal and berries at the club. So posh!
One of the fun mini-adventures we had was checking out Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park which encompasses the tip of Key Biscayne island. It's a gorgeous park with a beautiful lighthouse. We didn't go in the lighthouse, but enjoyed walking the grounds and seeing some of the history of the island. The park has beautiful beaches and picnic areas well. One night we met a couple from Miami with 2 kids and they are members at the park. They said they bring their kids out there often and it's a nice escape from the city. I am sure as it seems like you are pretty much in the middle of nowhere when you're walking around out there.
Turtle has no understanding of barriers; Is he actually running his fingers through his hair?
A scenic walk; in front of the 1800s lighthouse
Some interesting Key Biscayne history
...but we can try and look as smart and fancy as we want with being all interested in the history. We still got a laugh out of taking a picture in front of the outhouse. Ha!
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