VACATION PART 2

fun with hats- only in WI

SO after the race, Peter and I flew to FL to spend a week of R&R.  Our flights were delayed due to rain, so we didn't get to our resort until almost 3 AM.  We were wiped!  But at the same time, we would rather have delays sans kids than with three young ones running around the airport. 

Time to relax!  Even with some cloudy days we still relaxed and enjoyed the beach and the pool.

Pier 60...vendors set up every night

breakfast spot



View from our balcony

relaxing with a non-Autism, non-PANDAS, fun book

Found this McQueen on the beach- had to take a picture to send to Hunter!

Never a vacation until you find a tiki bar

Sent this text to the kids. 

Peter has had it on his bucket list to go deep sea fishing, so he signed up for a trip!  I chose the spa instead. :) It was windy, cloudy, and rained for a bit that morning...the waves were rocking that boat!

Our last night...found so many seashells washed ashore in the short storm..check out the waves in the first picture...

 

The kids had a great week in WI.  So many fun activities; the zoo, a sleepover at the cousins' house, ice cream, the park, nails with Aunt G, trips to Piggly Wiggly (Paige's favorite grocery store:)), and quality time with family. 

 Cousins!!!

 spending the beautiful days outside...and a new bubble blower from Aunt mel!

                                                    toys, toys, and more toys....

 Shopping with B, haircuts by Paige...

                                  Logan and Paige were attached at the hip all week!  We miss him!

T-party with B, Aunt G, and Logan

                         Grandpa B had some quality time with each of the kids in "his chair."

                                                                    The Zoo

Birds flew on their sticks at the zoo

                                                            Playing at the park at the zoo

Dessert every night??? Only at Grandmas.



Aunt G and Paige went to get their  nails done

 

Uncle Greg took some pictures for our family at the beach the day we were leaving...look at these sweet boys...

 Peter and I got to visit Baby TyTy in the NICU before we left!  Such a sweet boy....and now he is home after over three weeks there.  It was hard to go in there with so many memories of Paige's experience in the NICU, but we were fine once we were inside.

Overall, kids had a blast, Mommy and Daddy relaxed...and soon it was back to reality.  We flew home Saturday night and unfortunately, we had a few cranky kids.  When we were getting ready to land, the flight attendant asked Hunter to turn off the tablet he was playing.  He started to scream and hit Pete, and she looked at me and rolling her eyes said, "Oooohhhh, mama, my five year old did that the other day and I whipped his bottom."

 

I looked at her calmly, as Hunter was screaming "GET ME OFF THIS PLANE!!!" and said, "Well, my son has Autism and I'm not about to do that."

 

She looked back at him, and walking off, said, "Oh!  Wow!  You'd never know!"

 

I started to feel bad for saying something to her, but just then the lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Good for you.  My son has Autism, too."

 

We landed and as we walked into the airport, we were greeted with a large "Planes" billboard.  All was well in Hunter's world. :)

 

 

                                               Heading on the bus to our car....get us home! :)

 Vacation is always a beautiful thing..you look forward to your trip for a long time and try and maximize every minute.  Coming back home and getting back into a routine is a challenge, but I wouldn't trade vacation for anything.  Patience is a learned virtue, but when you are given a chance to recharge your batteries, it comes so much easier. 

Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa B for helping us stretch that virtue a greater distance.