We are Back

We are tan, happy, and back from our week long jaunt to Florida. It was spectacular. We soaked up as much sunshine and outdoor time as we could possible squeeze into one week. Our first morning, Aidan was up at the crack of dawn, dressed himself in his swimsuit and asked to go down to the beach at 7 a.m. We managed to hold the boys off until 8:30 am. But once at the beach, the boys were like wild animals escaped from their cages. They simply ran and ran some more until they collapsed into a sand pile with a shovel to dig. It was the theme of the vacation. Run, jump and dig. For preschoolers, that may be the perfect vacation.

Aidan and Brennan both declared they never wanted to go home. The first time we got them back into the car to go out to dinner, Brennan erupted with tears and wailing.

"I don't wanna go home, " He yelled with tears in his eyes, "I stay at the beach." While we assured him we still had plenty of time left on our vacation, he remained on edge anytime we had to get in the car to go anywhere. He was convinced we would sneak him back to Buffalo and cold, cold snow.

We enjoyed the sun, but we also enjoyed the chance to spend time with my grandparents. Chris and I get such a kick out of my nana and grandpa. They are their very own 'Stan and Ethel' variety show come to life. Some of my favorite grandparent exchanges:

My grandmother put together a pile of papers and old magazines to take to the recycling bin in their building. She left and returned a short time later, carrying a pile of new magazines and papers. I assumed she had picked up her mail on her way back to their condo. My grandmother settled in to read one of the newspapers in the chair next to me. My grandfather walks into the room, eyes the paper she is currently reading and asks in a teasing voice, "Jennie, did you pay for that newspaper?" My grandmother looks guilty and hides behind the paper. We come to find out that my grandmother likes to shop the recycle bin for new reading materials. Heh.

Another favorite: I was a little stressed our first night in Florida because the boys would not settle down to sleep. It was way beyond their normal bedtime, and they still stubbornly refused to drift off. My grandfather saw I was stressed and told me to let it go.

I replied: "But they're going to be unbearably cranky tomorrow."

He laughed and said, "Then let them be cranky."

I gave him wide eyes and said with exasperation, "But this is my vacation and I don't want to deal with cranky kids."

He laughed, shook his head and said, "Honey, you're not on vacation. The kids are on vacation. You are not on vacation. You want to know who is on vacation? Your grandmother and I are on vacation." Funny and a wise man too.

Griffin also enjoyed his first trip to both the pool and beach. He survived having his toes put into the somewhat cold Gulf of Mexico, but seemed a little astonished by the bright Florida sun. (That's what happens when you are born in December in Buffalo!)

All in all - a good time was had and memories were made.

P.S. I also must express my absolute devotion, adoration and just plain love for JetBlue. If I could, I would fly JetBlue with my children everywhere. We sat down in our seats, the boys popped on their headphones and sat QUIETLY while they watched Dora and Diego on their individual tvs. JetBlue, I truly love you. And our fellow passengers who eyed us with suspicion upon seeing that we were traveling with three children four and under, well, they love you too.