Day 5 - June 4, 2011

Day 5

June 4, 2011

Woke up with a bit of a headache...and Rich overslept too....vacation!  Uncle Eggie knocked on the door at 8 - the kids were so excited to see him.  Rich, Ed & Hunter rushed out to spend the morning in the Everglades - Airboat ride.  Kelly, the kids & I had breakfast and went to the beach.  Bear & Cammy had a blast...Aud...not so much.

We returned to the hotel and spent the day at the pool.  In no particular order:  Rick (and GF), Mark, Ed, Kelly, Barb, Rob, Ben & Abbey joined the Smith Storm at the pool.  Fun Day!

Part 2 of the Shooters reunion was at Bootlegger & Kelly went with me (that way I was pretty sure I wouldn't stay too late).  We hung out with the old gang for a couple hours and then said our good-byes.

Back at the hacienda - no one was there.  Hunter & Aud went with the Lewis family for a sleep over.  We tracked Mark, Rich, Cammy & Bear down at Chucks Steakhouse.  Ed - missing?  We had dinner at Chuck's and called it a day.

Day 4 - June 3, 2011

Day 4

June 3, 2011

Weather is glorious!  But I did wake up feeling lousy - my cold kicked my butt and I had heat rash:(.  Aud & Cammy also had strange bug bites?!  Ah...life on the road.

After breakfast we took another beach cruise (after a Starbucks stop!).  I packed swimsuits this time, so they could really get wet.  They all got in and the joy on their faces as the waves broke on their bodies was priceless.

Back at the hotel, we were greeted by Daddy!  He surprised us with a rented, electric blue, convertible Mustang.  Hunter was in heaven.  We had lunch at Piranha Pats (dark & dungy) and then hit the hotel pool for the afternoon.

After swimming, I took all the kids to Barb's (who was graciously babysitting for the night).  Val met Rich & I at the hotel and we headed to Aruba for the "Shooters Reunion."

It was kinda cute - Val was nervous to see everyone.  For some reason, I was not.  Rich was cool.  I know he didn't want to be there, but he put on a happy face.

After over an HOUR - No Shooters' people!  I was not happy and felt bad for Rich, so I sent him to Barb's.  Just when Val and I had decided to bail as well, Elaine and 2 other girls showed up.  Then Donna & Tom, then Nicki, then Steve, Deb & Rafi, then Brent...surreal.

We had a really good time.  It was kind of crazy to be back with everyone.  I almost felt 25 again...for a little while.  Then it was 10:00p.m. & I was ready to go!  So, not quite 25 again:)!

Quotes:

"I love that part!" - Cammy, when the waves crashed on his legs.

"Bring it waves!" - Cammy, asking for more.

"Are you serious?" - Audie, arms in the air, yelling at the waves after they tackled her

Day 3 - June 2, 2011

Day 3

June 2, 2011

We didn't wake up until almost 7 - yeah!  The kids and I ate breakfast at the hotel (courtesy of Rob) and no one was in the restaurant.  So, OF COURSE, the kids’ behavior was awesome.

When we were done, housekeeping was in our room, so I took the kids for a drive along A1A - the Fort Lauderdale strip.  Of course I took the opportunity to point out places (memories...) along the way.  The kids asked if they could "feel" the sand.  Why not?!  I pulled over, across from the Bahia Mar (where I used to go to the beach, back in the day).  I was excited that they wanted to do this...they've never been big fans of the beach (which always broke my heart).  Once their bare feet touched the sand...they wanted to feel the water too.

The beach was gorgeous & empty.  The water was a little rough, but glistening!  There were two big ships way out on the ocean & not a cloud in the sky.  GORGEOUS.  I taught the kids how to jump the waves that were rushing to the shore.  They loved it.  Special moment.

Audrey & Bear kinda got soaked (I had to buy them new shorts at a surf shop) - everyone was laughing. 

At one point, Audie captured my attention.  Her feet were buried in the wet sand, her hair was blowing in the wind, the waves were crashing on her legs, her eyes were fixated on the horizon & she had a faint smile on her face...she was a million miles away.  She was falling in love with the ocean, and I got to witness it.  I will never forget it - made me cry.  I knew exactly what she was thinking, I'd been that little girl.  She was me.

We cruised the beach for a little while longer before ending up at Barnes & Noble (don't we always?).  Once again - amazing behavior!  Not sure what's up with that?  We went to Shooters for lunch - sat in Nicki's section.  She was in the weeds, so we were there for a while.  She filled me in on Cal's being fired:(.    Once again - kids were great!?

We spent the afternoon swimming in the hotel pool & then got take-out from Panera Bread to eat poolside.  It was a nice night - perfect temperature.

Back in the room, the kids dialed up a movie - "Roddrick Rules" and I spent time with Anna.  We had some wine and talked for hours.  She has a lot going on now and is stressed about it.

Thank you for my many blessings!

I have a cold and I'm losing my voice...sound like Demi Moore.

Quotes:

Audrey, "Someday I'm going to live in a hotel."

Hunter, "Oh my God mom - people will laugh at him.  He looks like he's wearing a dress." ...after Barrett took off his wet shorts at the beach.

Day 2 - June 1, 2011

Day 2

June 1, 2011

We got up about 6:30.  I tried to sneak to the gym for 30 minutes, but Audrey was NOT having it.  So I settled for a short coffee run (lobby).

Aunt Pauline came for coffee and hung out with us by the pool.  We chatted - about everything!  Age mellows everyone & she seems happy - content.

We hit the road for Fort Lauderdale at 11:30.  It was an easy hour drive.  I love those:)!  The kids were so excited when they saw Uncle Rob.  One of our rooms was ready early, so we were able to change for the pool and eat lunch.  I made some more PB&Js (to a chorus of groans!).

Barb and the kids joined us at the pool and we had a great time.  Ben & Abbey have grown so much.  Anna stopped by to say "hello" - we set a date for the following night to catch up.

Barb took Aud home with her, so the boys and I were able to relax before going to dinner at the Lewis House.  But then I couldn't find Bear's yuck-yucks, which caused my heart to sink.  I called the Jensen Beach hotel, practically crying.  They called housekeeping - nothing.  I called my Publix in ATL and they gave me a couple options - nothing cheap or easy.  I was panicked.  Then, of course, I found them in one of our many bags.  Drama!

We had a great dinner with Barb, Rob & the kids.  Everyone got along!  Rob and I solved the world's problems (over wine, of course) while Barb bathed ALL the kids.  We were home by 9:15.

Quotes:

Cammy "I don't like sunscreen, I don't like music & I don't like dancing..."

Really Cammy?  What do you like?

"I like making salad with you!"

Jensen Beach – Fort Lauderdale

70 miles/1 hour, 10 minutes

Hotel:  Courtyard Fort Lauderdale East, Rooms 118 & 120

Day 1 - May 31, 2011

Day 1

May 31, 2011

We left at 6:02a.m., right on time!  WE had an easy drive through Atlanta and then stopped twice - gas, money, Starbucks and potty break.  We made it to the Florida state line in great time.

While driving, I listened to the Rob Lowe memoir (audio CD), while the kids watched a movie on the new DVD player - with headphones!  The audio book is great, Rob Lowe actually is the reader and he is an awesome storyteller - with impersonations and everything. 

We stopped in Gainesville for gas and lunch (Publix).  I'm attempting to save money by making our own lunch (sandwiches).  The kids are not happy - spoiled.  Today's menu:  PB&J.  We were on the turnpike in no time and made it to Jensen Beach by 4:00p.m.

Our hotel was really nice - a newly renovated Courtyard.  We swam for a little bit and then hit the road, looking for dinner (I'd left a message for Pauline, but she didn't call back).  I got a salad to go for the hotel Bistro and then ended up taking the kids to McDonald's.  I took them for a drive after, it was a nice balmy night.

Back at the hotel it was TV time - America's Got Talent.  It was terrible, but the kids loved it.  I painted my toes and then did Audie's nails.  Lights out by 10:00p.m.

ATL – Jensen beach, FL

602 miles/9 hours, 45 minutes

Hotel:  Stuart Courtyard, Room 231