St. Maarten - MANEV Winter Vacay 2017 - Part 1

Vacation is never long enough, and this trip was no exception! Although, as sad as were to see it over, we all welcomed our separate rooms and beds, as well as all our fur babies when we did get home!!   


Let's break this vacay up into bullet form:  


Tuesday: - we left the house at 6:30 AM - the kids were amazing in the airport and the airplane, so that was a big win! Our flight was quick and we landed early!!

- Noah didn't nap, so we had a tired boy on our hands, but he snoozed a bit on the way to our apartment, as that seemed to take forever, but I think we were all just tired and hot by then! Our rental car was a Ford Explorer, this is the vehicle I thought I wanted as my next vehicle, but after having one for a week, it is not big enough!!  


- We went for a quick swim before dinner. There is an hour time change, which threw the kids off a bit when it came to bedtime and meals 


- we rented a studio apartment and it only had a shower with no tub, so we made showers work for everyone, which Noah was used to because of last time we were here, but we were super nervous about how bedtime was going to go with all being in the same room! But it couldn't have gone better!!! It did take time, as one of us laid with Noah until he fell asleep and one of us rocked Em to sleep, but once they were down, they were down and we were able to go sit outside, relax, play cards, etc.   


Wednesday:
- was an early start... both kids were up before sunrise. Luckily M is a morning person and could handle waking at that hour, because I certainly cannot, so he took the kids outside with their milk and they had quiet time outside. I had not slept well at all.   


- after Emilya's nap, we decided went to visit friends of Mike's parents. They were such a sweet couple, their rental was gorgeous, the kids had fun swimming and they got the cutest little gifts from them, along with some yummy snacks.

- we headed to the grocery store next. I was able to buy me some sugar cane syrup, something you can't get here, so I brought 2 bottles home!!  

- we pushed naptime again, but they managed to get a small nap in. We learned that the kids really had to eat no later than 5:30! The time change and early start were not our friends. 

- Noah went to bed as a two year old for the last time!     


Thursday:
- Noah turned THREE!!! 


- the kids woke up extra early again, but after Em's morning nap we headed to the beach!!!

- it really was not the best beach day, but Noah requested going to the beach in his birthday and well how often will he get to do that in life?? So we made it happen!!! 
 

- it was crazy wavy, and a strong undertow, but we made the best of the morning. I will say Noah had fun and that is all that matters.
   
- after nap we threw a little birthday party up at the pool, with decorations, balloons, presents and cake!

- our dinner plans of pizza was a bust, because none of them opened until 5:30, so we would be looking at a late dinner, which we knew wouldn't work, so M's Mom threw something together quickly. We did cake up by the pool.  Check out this birthday sunset:

- I still can't believe he's 3!!!     


Friday:
- we had a morning by the pool.  

  - after nap, we got ready to go out for dinner! M wanted lobster!  

Yes, the boys all had to dress in matching shirts. The people staying above us were soo sweet and gave Noah this orang shirt to match Grandpa's for his birthday!

The first picture was too funny not to share...

  - we walked the strip, but most of the shops weren't open yet. So we found a little restaurant right on the beach, I enjoyed ribs  

- seriously they KNOW how to make ribs in St. Maarten, Noah had chicken and Mike had his lobster.   

  - on the way back to the car, we decided to be spontaneous, as Noah wanted nothing more but to go in the water on the beach. Of course we only had the clothes we were wearing, but we all went in the water, but we had fun. It's these little moments that I love, the look on Noah's face when we said sure was priceless! These are the memories I hope he remembers, because I certainly will!! 

Florida Vacay 2016 - Part 1

Tuesday morning started off super early 5:30 for us and 6 for the little man, we made it to the airport in good time and left our car with valet. We shuttled over to the airport and managed to skip the long security line, thanks to the family line - smartest airport decision ever. However the American customs line was not so nice or kid friendly, but Noah was a trooper. We made it to our gate with about 25 minutes to spare before boarding. Noah loved seeing all the airplanes and pointed them all out!!! Crazy the difference 6 months makes as far as his interests go since he last flew.

Noah was great on the plane and ended up with his own seat, which was super convienent. The flight was pretty seamless, aside from the dog that barked and cried the whole flight in the seat in front of us!  

We ended up with a damn Jeep Renegade... Not what I would call an SUV... It was so small! I don't know how M and I end up a Jeep everywhere we go, but we are not Jeep fans - they are not vehicles for tall people. 

They are also not very accommodating for children, being as Noah managed to open his door while we were on the interstate. 

We drove about an hour and a half south of Orlando to Sebring. When we arrived we pretty much headed right to the pool to please our child whose patience was beginning to run out, understandingly so after a long day of him behaving so well and only a 20 minute nap. He was pretty excited to see Grandpa and Cindy. 

The weather was beautiful when we arrived and the pool temp was nothing to complain about!!

Noah toured around as we got settled and we enjoyed some dinner before getting Noah off to bed! Cindy and I hit up the grocery store, so I could get some essentials for Noah! Noah's first night started off well, however he woke up at 3:30 AM and then again at 6:00 AM. 

Wednesday we went for some walks and tours on the golf cart. 

M and my Dad went on an airboat ride in the afternoon, and I managed to get Noah down for a nap without rocking him- mommy win!! While he slept, I layed out in the sun!! 

Noah woke up just before the guys arrived back and we decided to head to the pool for a swim!!

Trying with no puddle jumper! He did so well!!! 

Of course on the way home the cart battery died... Dad has been having trouble with this, so the boys pushed while Noah and I steered:

This was taken after M mooned the retirement village when his shorts fell down!! 

 That evening Cindy and I ran out to the mall for a little shopping! Noah managed to put himself to bed, but woke up at 1 AM, we managed to get him back to sleep, but man is it a challenge to keep him quiet when sharing a house with others. 

Thursday morning Cindy, M, Noah and I managed to go do a little shopping and got some really great deals. Noah won't be needing pjs for the next few sizes!! I also managed to get a new pair of maternity jeans! We also hit up Walmart where I found my favorite candy and remembered to buy some of the sports bras I loved for nursing!! 

We came home for lunch and then Cindy and I met up with one of Cindy's friends and had a little girls shopping trip for the afternoon and I did really well with deals and shirts for myself that will work now and post baby!! I also managed to get some baby items, stuff for Noah and M! While we were gone Noah napped and then the boys all went swimming. 

My savings of over $300!! Great deals!! 

The boys trying on thier matching shirts:

This day was a rough one for Noah, he was just grumpy and as much as I didn't want to have to pull the time outs on vacation, we did a few and he luckily changed his tune quickly. He also learned the word "no" on this trip which is just a bundle of fun. We thought it was humerous at first, but our view is quickly changing as he has begun to understand the proper way to use it. 

We went to my favorite restaurant Chili's for dinner and although it wasn't the best service, I still enjoyed your favorite foods and so did Noah!! 

After Noah went to bed we took on our first round of dominos.

We decided we would do a guys vs. girls and although the guys scores combined were better, I still won the game with the lowest score, but it meant the guys won round one. 

St. Martin Day 5,6 and 7

Day 5 of vacation was spent soaking up the sun and having fun at the pool! I will let the pics do the talking:

We started off with Johnny Cakes for breakfast! This is a common thing down there and they were actually very tasty:

And then we hit the pool:

Noah's dorky hat that was too big, but it was better than nothing! It was slim pickings down there!

There were beautiful butterflies all over the place!

And cows... it wasn't fun meeting them at the end of the crazy driveway because it was soo steep! It was also soo steep the cars go out on 3 wheels!

For dinner we went to a tiny little restaurant - we were actually the only ones there. The restaurant was run by a husband and wife. It was called The Gutside. 

 The owners took Noah while we ate and gave him a kitchen tour, and entertained him which was kind of nice!

Sunday we headed to Petersburg where the cruise ships come in. We did some sight seeing, had a tasty lunch with this beautiful view and we did come shopping of course!

Ron was sure to take us on all the crazy roads, granted the views are stunning! 

We did dinner at home and played our cards and headed to bed!

Monday we hung out at the pool for the last day. Right before heading out for dinner, Noah decided it would be a good time to take the plunge and become a full-time walker! This mama was pretty proud!

We decided to try to goto Lee's for dinner, but as it turns out they close on Mondays, so we went to Skip Jacks, which was actually really good too, and amazing views of the marina!  None of the ribs I had touched Lee's but I guess now we have a reason to go back! Noah enjoyed walking on the peer inbetween picnic tables. We will always remember St. Martin as the place Noah decided to become a walker!

Tuesday we enjoyed one last swim before heading to the airport!

It was a great family trip - one that we will never forget!!