Day 1: Tuesday, July 31:
We started out the trip with a haircut for Collins at about 7:30am, ha! Since we were right across the street, we decided on City Cafe for breakfast and it did not disappoint! Traveling went fine...it definitely gets easier the older they get! They just ask a million times if we're there yet, but honestly, so do I. We were expecting a lot of rain on this trip, so when we arrived and the sun was out we took advantage and headed to the beach first thing! That night we ate at Schooner's and the kids played on the beach some more after dinner (at the restaurant). Then we went to Publix for our grocery trip, then slept like logs!
DAY 2: Wednesday, August 1:
Today Jake cooked a big breakfast and we headed to the beach again before the rain started. It was overcast, but still fun and we took a long walk looking for shells. We went to the pool for a little while, but it soon started thundering, so we headed inside. We ate hotdogs at home and then I rested while the kids and Jake watched a movie. We went to Sharky's for dinner, but it was raining so they didn't get to play on the beach this night. After dinner we went to a souvenir store and bought Jake a couple of swimsuits, me a t-shirt, and the kids fell in love with hermit crabs. More to come on that...
DAY 3: Thursday, August 2:
Today was the for real rain day. We ate a light breakfast at home, then went to Gulf World for the first time! It was a great day for it because they do all the shows rain or shine. We got to see a sea lion show (sea lion's name is Cooper...so cute!), a dolphin show, a 'feathers and friends' show, and pet the sting rays...which was Collins' favorite part! Afterward we went home for lunch and the kids played by building a fort and being silly. We ate dinner at Hunt's and then went to the beach that night for sand crab hunting. Collins especially is hooked on that!
DAY 4: Friday, August 3:
Today we woke up and ate a quick breakfast and then headed out to the beach because SUNSHINE! Hadley relaxed a lot...it's what she does! Collins played on the boogy board thing I bought him (whatever it's called). We went to the pool for a while and then had lunch and a rest at home. We went to the official hermit crab store and checked out what we'd need (the first souvenir store wouldn't have had all the right supplies and definitely no instructions), but we didn't buy yet. Just got tired of the asking to go see the crabs! We had dinner at Uncle Ernie's and Hadley fell asleep in the car for the wait. Collins fed the fish and found a 'wild' crab in a huge shell under the dock, but we wouldn't let him keep it. Worst parents ever, but he really didn't even whine much. Sweet boy!
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| Cha-ching. |
DAY 5: Saturday, August 4:
Jake went out early this morning and brought back Thomas' donuts for us! We then went to get on a ferry and head out to Shell Island for the first time ever. It's very natural and minimal...no bathrooms, no food, no chairs. We brought our own towels, but next time we'll need to bring an umbrella. We only stayed two hours this trip. Very pretty! We were so tired and hungry afterward and decided on a pizza place for lunch (Nick's). Then we went to the beach, the pool, and had dinner at Runaway Island. We hadn't eaten there the past two years because we had a not-so-great experience three years ago, but took a risk that that time was a fluke. Glad we did because it was very good this time!
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| Collins got to be captain for a little while! Had didn't want to :) |
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| I was frustrated here because they were pulling and yanking on me so hard and I was tired. Already wish I could go back and re-do that, so I know I'll wish that when they're big :( |
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| Back to the 'regular' beach! |
DAY 6: Sunday, August 5:
Time to go home! Which means we cleaned all morning. But it's worth it because we love staying at Mr. Ponnie's and Mrs. Kaye's place! We stopped at Hammerhead Fred's on the way out to have lunch, and weren't very impressed. Oh well. Then we went and bought those stinkin' hermit crabs! ;) Hadley named hers Lai and Collins named his Jet. They are still alive in case you wondered!
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| Our four hermits! ;) |
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| Came home to mail saying Mrs. Fanning is her teacher! |
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| Welcome home party for ourselves!?! |
