Spring Break--In 2 parts

Sorry I have been absent from blogging for a while. I have discovered that it is easiest for me to blog later in the week...after the week starts rolling and many of the must-do items of the week have been ticked off the to-do list. It has also been a bit of a challenge to get back into our routine after a FABULOUS Spring Break. Both boys are napping, so I finally have a moment to catch up.

Our Spring Break was indeed, fabulous. It was broken up into two parts. The first part was spent in Dunedin as half of our Canadian family members were down for a visit, and the second part was spent at the lovely, St. George Island. To recap both trips in the same post would be insane (you know me...I took a buncha pictures), so I'll take them one at a time.

Part 1: Family Fun Time

Matt took a half day at work, picked up Eli from school, and we headed down in time to meet up for dinner on St. Patrick's Day. It didn't take much convincing once we got there, but I managed to twist Matt's arm to stay until Monday morning so we could spend more quality time with the Canadians. We only get to see them once a year....and that is if we are lucky. Our time was filled with swimming, watching baseball games, hanging out, and of course...eating. It was a joy introducing Jude to everyone, and he got lots of loving from lots of folks.

It was also Aunt Debbie's birthday while we were down there, so of course we had to get birthday pedicures. Our feet needed to be pretty for the birthday dinner.

No pedi for Jude, but he was sporting his Gator gear in honor of the NCAA tourney. I heart baby shoes (but always forget to put them on....)

Lots of fun in the pool at both Pap Pap's house (heated to 90+ degrees, of course) and at the hotel. I think Eli's lips turned blue every time, but that didn't stop the little fish. He didn't miss a beat with his swimming skills, but the cousins were always sure to help him if he needed it.

Even Jude got in the pool....but only when it was heated up to bathtub-like temperatures...he cried otherwise.

My only other group shot is blurry, but I really liked it anyways.

MLB is currently in Spring Training, so it wouldn't be a trip to Dunedin in March without taking in a Blue Jays game or two.

Eli was not in the mood for a picture with Uncle Kenny. Hilarious! It was a very hot and sunny day, and my baby is uber pale fair skinned, so we watched most of the game from Pap Pap's balcony in the shade.

Do you see the shoes on Eli's feet? Borrowed from Brayden. Haha. E had an incredible time playing with all of his cousins and spent most of his time with Brock and Brayden. Our last night there, he was thrilled to go back to the hotel with them for a sleepover.

This was Eli's first sleepover (that wasn't for babysitting purposes.) He was very excited and did great. I have a feeling this is the first of many sleepovers in his future. He looks so grown up.

Again, it was a fabulous time. We packed up and hit the road pretty early Monday so Matt could still get in a half day at work. It is always fun spending time with family, and we feel blessed to have such a wonderful, fun(ny) bunch.

As a side note, a friend gave me the idea a while ago to get a white board and markers to use as entertainment on long car rides so that it isn't always about watching movies. We got washable dry erase markers (the real ones stain clothing and don't come out with anything but Murphy Oil Soap), an inexpensive white board, and an old sock as an eraser. It worked like a charm. Eli spent the last hour or so of the trip creating a map to Pap Pap's house.

So cute I just had to share (with labels to clarify, of course!) On the way home there were several renditions of Eli and his cousins in the pool. It is a great way to pass the time and a lot of fun too. Figured I'd pass on the awesome travel tip.

After returning, we had a couple of days to unpack, do laundry, and repack for a trip to SGI. But that is another post. Hope to be back to share Part 2 tomorrow.