The first day of our vacation, we checked into the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando. The pool was HUGE and not the least bit crowded, so we spent much of that first day lounging poolside. My son had a blast "lizard hunting" (remember, we're from Michigan--the only type of lizards we have are the ones you buy in the pet store). When he finally managed to catch one, he brought it over (by the tail) to show me. Unfortunately, my son scared its tail off--literally. Yes, the lizard dropped to the ground, and we were left gawking at the squirming, body-less tail. (Ewww!)
Day 2 Disney World here we come!
The next day we headed off to the "Happiest Place on Earth" *trying to suppress laughter*. Obviously, whomever coined this expression has never visited with my children in tow. Sure it was hot, the lines were long at times, and I paid $100 for four souvenir t-shirts; but none of this compares to the wrath of a six-year-old going through the "diva" phase. Every time (and I mean EVERY time) we got in a line for a ride, she'd cross her arms, stick out her hip, and say "I'm not staying here! I'm leaving!" After numerous dirty looks and threats uttered between clenched teeth, from yours truly, she'd get on the ride. Of course afterwards she'd say, "That was fun! Let's do it again!"
Day 3 Cruisin' Time!
On day three, we headed on over to Port Canaveral and boarded the Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas for a 4-day Bahama Cruise. Let me start by saying, I love cruises. This was my third one. I went on my first in college, and then my husband (boyfriend, at the time) and I went on one about eleven years ago. I love everything about cruising--the food, the shows, the atmosphere, the scenery, even the teeny-tiny cabins. BUT, come to find out, I DO NOT like cruising with children. My kids refused to participate in the children's program, so they were with my husband and I 24/7 (in all their whining and arguing glory).
Day 4 Beach time in Coco Cay!
On day four, we stopped at Coco Cay (R.C.'s own private island). Hubby and the kids had a blast playing in the sea, and even had the experience of a sting ray swimming right by them. Even though we were told not to take shells/coral from the water, my daughter kept coming up to my lounge chair with handfuls of shells and tiny pieces of coral. I let her keep her favorite three, and we threw the rest back into the sea.
One more thing to add. At dinner that night, my son (the pickiest eater known to man) had escargot for dinner . . . AND HE LIKED IT! We all tried it (and liked it), but the fact that my son ordered and ate it still amazes me.
Day 5 Welcome to Nassau!
Okay, so I'm pretty sure the house in the photo to the right belongs to some celebrity, but I have no idea who. The "tour guide" on our glass-bottom-boat excursion was rambling off celebrity names and vague house descriptions left and right (i.e. "the house with the black roof belongs to Nicholas Cage" ugh . . . yeah, that narrows it down), so I can't be sure which house belongs to which celebrity.
Okay, so I'm pretty sure the house in the photo to the right belongs to some celebrity, but I have no idea who. The "tour guide" on our glass-bottom-boat excursion was rambling off celebrity names and vague house descriptions left and right (i.e. "the house with the black roof belongs to Nicholas Cage" ugh . . . yeah, that narrows it down), so I can't be sure which house belongs to which celebrity.
While in Nassau, we visited the "straw market" which was an experience in and of itself. Basically, you have a gigantic tent full of Bahamian women, all selling the exact same stuff (purse knock-offs, beaded necklaces, and everything you can imagine made out of straw). The crazy part is, they attack you like a flock of hungry vultures. After making it down one claustrophobic "aisle" in 90 something-degree heat, I had had enough.
Day 6 Day at sea
I'd love to say the picture to the right was taken while reading a good book and sipping on a frozen, fruity cocktail, but I would be lying. We were actually on our way up to the pizzeria (for the umpteenth time) when I demanded we go out onto the deck for a moment. I quickly snapped the picture so that my fighting children wouldn't disrupt the people who were reading a book and enjoying a fruity drink ;o)
Day 7 Time to head home.
No more being waited on hand and foot, and no more cute towel animals like the one to the right. As usual, the vacation went by too fast. Sure my kids drove me nuts about 75% of the time, but the other 25% was spent listening to them giggle or watching their eyes get wide in amazement. And that was worth every bit of aggravation.
No more being waited on hand and foot, and no more cute towel animals like the one to the right. As usual, the vacation went by too fast. Sure my kids drove me nuts about 75% of the time, but the other 25% was spent listening to them giggle or watching their eyes get wide in amazement. And that was worth every bit of aggravation.
We really should hook our little divas up. Scratch that. We should NEVER hook our little divas up. The two of them together would probably take over the world. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am jealous and may have to smite you!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a GREAT trip!
@Jenny- Haha! I know, right? I don't know what's going on with my daughter . . . she's been such a bear so far this summer! Six-years-old is too young to be hormonal, right? ;o)
ReplyDelete@Phresh- No, please don't smite me! ;-) It was very nice to get away, but I sort of have that I-need-a-vacation-from-my-vacation feeling now, lol.
It sounds like you had a nice vacation, despite the little cute sour faces. It's those cute moments that make up for the annoying ones. :) Even if the cute moments are fewer than the trying ones.
ReplyDeleteOh how fun, Angela! Despite the diva-ness and whining, I'm sure it was a memorable trip. And bravo to your boy for trying out new things! I live going on vacation with my family, kids included. I only have two and they're pretty manageable kids. I love it when they get so tired they just fall right asleep! Then I can read a book while they're napping. ;)
ReplyDelete@Krista-Yes, overall it was a nice vacation. Kids will be kids, and the way my two fight is the same way my brother and I used to fight. It would've been nice to be able to sneak away for a drink with the hubby once in a while, but oh well, such is life :o) We'll have plenty of time for that years down the road.
ReplyDelete@Cheri- Definitly memorable :o) My kids are 9 (almost 10) and 6, and so they're past the napping stage, unfortunately ;o) They're just both at really funny stages--they argue constantly! Now I know what my poor mother went through ;o) Haha! Despite the craziness, there were some really awesome moments during the trip and I'm glad we did it :o)
You're so out of my vacation league it's not even funny. Terrycloth transformed into animal-like creatures?! Dude, I need some culturin'.
ReplyDelete@Bethany- Don't even for a minute think this type of vacation is the norm for us, lol. We'd been saving up for this trip for a long, long time! This type of trip will not happen again for probably another 10 years, lol. Our usual family vacations involve going up north for a 3-day weekend, or visiting my dad in Ohio, lol.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fantastic trip! I'm going to FL at the end of July - we'll have to compare pics!
ReplyDelete@Mindy- Yes, we had a good time--there's just something about palm trees that puts a smile on my face ;o) Have fun on your trip!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! Thanks for sharing those lovely pics. And I'm so glad you had fun, in spite of the cranksters. LOL. I agree, it's a lot of work taking kiddos to things like this, but those little moments of happiness are worth it all. We missed you online!
ReplyDelete@Anita- How did I overlook your comment? Yes, those few happy moments make all the aggravation worth it (usually ;-). I just keep telling myself that the hubby and I will have plenty of time to ourselves in about 15 years or so, and some day we'll look back on the craziness and laugh. :o)
ReplyDelete