We took our first family vacation this weekend – well our first with just our family I should say. We went by ourselves, just our family of four, down to the Miramar beach area for a long weekend. The weather could not have been more perfect – highs in the upper 80s, breeze… no rain. Perfect for the beach.
I honestly had no idea what to expect. We’ve only seen sand a few times – Amelia has always been hesitant. She seems to be texture sensitive and she doesn’t like the idea of having sand on her feet. Katherine usually digs right in. Apply that to the beach & ocean and I figured Amelia would stay on a towel the whole time and Katherine we’d be chasing all around the entire trip.
Wow, was I suprised, pleasantly, by Amelia. In fact – proud might be the better term. Yes the first day she was hesitant – but she walked on the sand and went in the ocean. But day 2? Day 2 she was floating, with her floaties, by herself in the big ocean wanting to go further and further out (yes we were right there – she is only 3.) And while walking in sand wasn’t her favorite? It got her to the ocean which she loved. We even ate lunch at the beach one day having a picnic per Amelia’s request.
I think it was her love of animals that really won her over. On the beach we’d look, and find, little baby white crabs that delighted her. In the ocean we could clearly see, in lovely blue water, fish swim around us – she thought that was really cool. No fear about the animals, instead she was in awe and loves them, and I think its really what made it so wonderful for her.
In the pool she’s been getting braver, but this trip by far brought the biggest changes we’ve seen. She jumps off the edge without daddy to catch her, she can doggie paddle across the pool…I am just so darn proud of her. [She loves those floaties - next step is swim lessons to get rid of those.] Probably one of the funniest moments – she would tell daddy to back up, no back up further, no further… then you could see her think and then ask him to maybe move just a little bit closer. Happened a few times and was just hilarious how she would position him just right. Other favortie activities for her were kicking and jumping with waves, seeing dolphins and doing these leg exercises where she’d lift her feet out of the water.
Katherine, when she felt good, was as expected. I had to chase her around, she’d just half crawl/half walk down to the water. However, not only is she teething molars but she also caught a virus by the last day. So give her motrin and she was her fearless self – otherwise she was really cuddly and a little cranky and tenative. All in all she really enjoyed the sand and the water. She is a sun baby like me – put her in the shade and she’d crawl into the sun. And she tans! I have a kid who tans like her mom finally. Amelia is pale like daddy and enjoys the shade. Though we did see a bit of tanning happening after three days in the sun.
The first two days were spent on the beach in the morning, and the afternoons were reserved for exploring. Mostly we went to San Destin’s village area because Amelia loved the merry go round and the playground, and they had live music which is fun as well. The last day was all beach, all day. With a little pool thrown in. Afterall, the beach is what we don’t have here in Atlanta – so get as much as possible.
The girls stayed on eastern time for the most part which was a bit rough – that meant waking up at 5:30 central time most mornings. But it also meant seeing the sunrise, so it wasn’t too bad. And after they went to bed nice & early, we’d enjoy just watching the ocean from our porch with a glass of wine or a beer – so relaxing. I think being on the patio with a breeze watching the ocean might be one of my favorite places in the world.
So other than summer colds at the end of the trip – this was just a wonderful relaxing vacation for the whole family. We are already looking forward to a beach trip next year.
Thanks Miramar beach for a wonderful time!
My superstar Amelia.
Girls with daddy, ready to go.
Attempt at beach photos. Amelia was in a, I’m not going to smile AT the camera mood, most of the trip…
Awww, love this.
See the baby white crab on Chris’ hand?
Me and Katherine…. teething. Katherine that is, not me. She was chomping in the back right the whole trip.
I was out with them, but really wanted to capture how well Amelia was doing – a photo doesn’t do it justice – she loved doing it all by herself!
Amelia rode this two days in a row!
During live music – Katherine danced/crawled/walked near me and Amelia danced up front. When everyone clapped for the music, she took a bow.
Another Katherine daddy shot. We tried to get Amelia in it but… again, she’s at that age.
Daddy and Amelia walked to the end of the pier!
They had a playground with this cool swing.
Seriously – I didn’t edit this color… it was gorgeous, particularly the last morning. Look how clear!
Playing with mommy’s hat – it went on, off, on, off…
The view.
The view again.
Amelia posing during sunset – gorgeous colors. (She isn’t that tan…)
View of Amelia swimming with daddy from our porch.
Sunrise the last morning – just a peaceful picture.
Me and the girls our last morning during sunrise.
This is just a selection of photos – the rest can be found at:
http://dyaranddyar.shutterfly.com/2449
(And actually that is just the 100 or so I edited… I took A LOT)
Enjoy!
