Spring Break (for Danny and Laura, At Least)

Gator hunting in the morning

The only real issue with Clare attending Marist while the other two are at Christ the King arises in the spring, when they have completely different spring breaks. Last year I simply took the younger kids out of school and headed to Florida. This year Clare was invited to spring break with Abby and her family, so then when it came time for the CKS break she simply stayed home with Tim and the three of us headed to Sarasota. I think we all wondered what it would be like to vacation without Clare and Tim, but I'm happy to say we managed to have a fabulous week (while still missing them, of course).

While the usual enticements of Florida - gator-hunting via scooter, heading to the pool, etc. - were certainly part of the joy, the presence of a brother-sister duo approximately the same ages made for many easily passed hours. The grandparents are friends of Donna's and Larry's, and the kids hit it off so well. The boys golfed while we gals dined out and enjoyed the water on the first night:

Laura looking extremely comfortable with a beverage on the beach...

This went so well that we invited them to join us at the aquarium the next day, which also led to lunch and then a fun afternoon at the pool (swimming is just so much more fun with friends!).

We did part ways the next day as Donna and Larry had rented a boat, which was a gorgeous excursion complete with a dolphin viewing (unphotographed due to Laura's dire fear that I would drop the phone in the water).

The stop at Casey Key beach was a major highlight for the kids (and wound up being our only beach visit the entire week, oddly enough):

The following day, Wednesday, was the designated day at the Magic Kingdom for me, Danny and Laura. It was very crowded, but we managed to thoroughly enjoy ourselves and worked in three rides on Thunder Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, among many others.

Thursday was our final day on break, as we had to head home the following day in order to get home for Danny's basketball tournament. Unfortunately it rained all morning, so our planned beach excursion was a bust, but it did clear off in time for Danny to golf again with Larry and his buddies. It was much cooler, so we gals opted to do a bit of shopping instead of swimming. We all finished with a delicious dinner at Stoneybrook, where Larry regaled Danny with the life and times of Teddy Roosevelt, and I'm not sure who enjoyed that more!

Once again I was reminded of how blessed we are to enjoy such beautiful places and special people!