Do we really get to stay another day?

So its 8:30 on Sunday morning and where would you like to be??  Christ sent me this to help me decide (although you all know I love the cold! - seriously)  But it RAINED for them all day - that STINKS.  Cold rain is the WORST.  But the blog is NOT to talk about the cold rain....

Becuase the pool heater works again!  Yipee =)  So after a morning at the local farmers market enjoying warm donuts, snagging jams and honey, we headed to the pool.  I actually carved out some much needed blog updating time (I hadn't posted since before Christmas and that give me severe anxiety mostly because I fear I will forget everything!) so I found a battery plug and started typing...  

They were loving the pool

30-40 minutes later - it was VERY quiet.  Shane was smiling here, but quickly went back to sleep after I snapped this photo.

this guy never even heard me.  I REALLY wanted to run over there and slather sun screen all over him!

Soooo, after nap time we opted to bike/run to periwinkle park.  Its a SUPER cute trailer park that has an amazing bird and monkey area to check out.  On Mondays 'Linda' the bird lady offers a show - but she is off cruising for a few weeks so we will miss her (guess you even have to escape Florida sometimes...)  

The trailer park nostalgically reminds me of the one my grandparents live in Arizona.  Now more than ever I really treasure all the times I got to visit them, and all the times my mom would fly us out there during our school breaks or when I got to go alone.  True realization of how challenging it can be logistically, financially - but 100% worth it for the memories and relationships.

O.k. back to the monkeys!

And the Lemurs catching some rays...

Another Shane Playground

Apparently its Nap time at the pond.  Look at all those sleeping ducks!

The ride back was a bit longer in shanes book (shorter according to my GPS)

Time to head out for dinner so we can be back for the game.

What game?  hmmmmm...

Doc Fords - Yummy spot and New Carlson favorite.

Why?  These Mussels are darm good.  We had too much bread trying to mop up the sauce.

They literally rolled out these heaters for us.  Everyone in the restaurant was laughing as our familes were in MUCH colder spots!!

NOT consuming mussels - but equally excited...

They had the Sorry game at the condo - I forgot how much I like that one.  

A little book time and off to bed.  I LOVE how wonderfully this guy goes to sleep.  If only they were all that easy.

The Sanibel Escape for Shane & Mom =)

You ever feel like your weekends will look very much the same unless YOU change it?  Well that's what we were thinking.  It was MLK and I asked my sister and her family to come out and ski with us - they couldn't make it as its Jason's busy season - boo!!  next.....  What else....

My folks are in Sanibel - hmmmm 

Jet blue flies there.... hmmm... 

Shane hasn't had his solo vacation after I took Drew and Nick to CA to visit the McCulloughs...  Hmmm.  

IS God literally sending me a rowboat?!  

Yes, lets go.

  My folks were thrilled and what a treat for us all.  O.k., maybe Chris's isn't viewing it as a tremendous treat - but it works.

It didn't take long before we had tickets and off we went.

Here are the VERY excited travelers.

  

We flew direct and sat next to a dad flying with 4 BOYS (13,10, 8, 3)  We literally shared the row with them.  Shane was enjoying unadulterated leapster time (and catching spongebob on the jetblue TV while downing his very own sprite - seriously this vacation is already awesome for him!) I chatted with the guy next to me who lives in Simsbury and graduated MICHIGAN!  How crazy is that.  Airforce guy too - so he remembers North hall (and the Halloween parties!)  He ended up sitting between his munchkins while I got to help his 2nd grader with his homework.  Honestly - super cool - cannot wait to meet his wife!  SHE must be really awesome.  Random - - 

Here is the cutest traveler - but time to ditch the sweater vest for flip flops. 

Meanwhile in a cold CT home - this was happening - wonder how long it lasted....

Not too long because than they were doing this!

Nick and Drew's dinner.... 

Shane's Dinner view

My dinner view - (I was scooped up by Jill, Marc and their friends within 30 minutes of arriving at my folks - we did the happy hour tour)

My folks rent the cutest condo on Light house point in Sanibel.  Its the PERFECT size.  Not too big when its just them, but big enough to host Shane and I.  They hosted the Griffins right before us too.  Walking distance to the beach, biking distance everywhere.  The view from their bedroom is AMAZING.  I am not a huge ocean person but even I found a way to sleep being able to see it in the morning.

Saturday morning - lets start this glorious beach vacation!  Shane loves all things nature - so his careful walking didnt scare these birds.

The Drift wood made for the perfect playground.

I remember having a Christmas Eve Service at this light house.  7 Years ago!

My dad caught this great photo of sand flying - 

We checked out the pool in the complex and it turns out the heater was having some struggles.  We surely couldn't go in an unheated pool!!  Lets head to the beach!!  Mia and her family joined us too.

It was the perfect beach day - breezy but so warm.  Shane LOVED playing independantly on the beach, filling up water, jumping around.  He didn't appear to miss his brothers at all.  Check that - he told me several times that he didn't.  

There was a gentleman on the beach that brought 2 paddle boards.  Mia went right up and introduced herself as she is super social (I know Ms Jill surely passed that trait along)  I watched them do it for a bit and become rather interested.  I have seen folks do Yoga on paddle boards so I would imagine it takes some balance and core strength.  I was rather certain I wasn't up to par on either...

But it was worth the try.  It was so cool!  Even with Shane teetering at the end we figured it out.  Not sure if I am progressing to Yoga anytime soon - but this was awesome.

The kids really just loved scooting around in it (or being scooted around)

Now time to fill our bellies at the Island Cow - Goomba found the perfect sign to use with his 6 grand kids - we commented that it should say bunnies - It was made by our waitress's father who lives in Suffield CT - small world!

Mom and I split up the seafood quasadillas and grouper burritos while Goomba had a snapper sand which and Shane indulged in clam strips (but mainly LOVED the fries)

Gotta pose for a photo

Love my smiley Shane

Just a quick game of Corn hole before we head out

Next stop - the sunset boat tour

By ladies - enjoy those vodka/gin tonics!

Check out the Mickey Mouse treat Mia brought back for Shane!

So fortunate to have time with Jill and Marc - we literally didn't plan our dates at all - sometimes it just works out - they just came back from a few days exploring Disney.

Getting to Sunset

As the sun was literally starting to set, a momma and her baby were swimming beside us.  

it was fun trying to catch that perfect picture and beautiful to see them swimming together.

This photo shows how really close they were to us.

After the boat, Jill and Marc came over to check out our 'lay of the land' in case they need to expand over the holidays next year.  My folks LOVE thier condo choice as its really flexible.  Shane and Mia loved it for the Romper Room!

They literally wore each other out

That night Shane almost fell asleep while trying to finish his bowl of Strawberries and Ice Cream.  He had to stop without finishing and head to bed.  My Shane sure does know how to sleep!