Clearwater - our paradise

Two Saturdays ago we packed up the cars and headed to Clearwater, Florida. Selena and I left a day earlier than the dads so we could break up the trip for the kids. Summer and Lexie did good pretty much the whole trip which was nice since I was alone with them in the car. They watched a few videos, and Summer played her Leapster 2. There were no whiny breakdowns to drive me crazy - thank God! Trixie did good too and mostly sat in the front passenger seat next to me except when her mommy (Summer) wanted to hold her. We stayed the night in Lake City and were happy the dog did not bark and get us kicked out of the Comfort Inn & Suites. We had a yummy breakfast before we left and headed to our final destination. We were at the house around noon on Sunday. The kids, and moms, were ready to be out of the car. They were very eager to get to the beach and swim in the pool. It was awesome to see them so excited and ready for a beach adventure.

The first week was filled with trips to the beach. Our first day at the beach was the best for the kids because the tide was low and perfect for them to play in. Lexie even warmed up to it after declaring on the way out there that she did not want the water to get her. Ever since then, they have not played in the water as much, but the sand has proved to be quite entertaining itself. On the Lynch's last full day here, we finally built a sand castle, or rather fort decorated with shells. There is definitely no shortage of shells at this beach either! Of course my camera is broken and will not focus anymore since Summer's birthday so I did not get a pic, but I'm pretty sure Selena got quite a few. We adults did most of the work, and were both pretty proud of our creation. It didn't hurt that a member of the Clearwater walking club stopped to take a picture of it for their website. As of this morning, it is still there standing strong. I'm happy we are not in a busy part of the beach where kids would just destroy it in no time.

Summer's favorite thing is the pool. The lessons paid off and she is swimming around like a fish. I think all the kids, except Lexie, like the pool the best. She is always ready to go play in the sand. She does love swimming around in her floaties though. We've got tons of floats and boats for the kids to play with. We even blew up a big float house, but it leaks air too quickly and needs blowing up before anyone is ready to do it again. It is pretty cool though and would be perfect if it would just hold it's form and not buckle at the corners. Oh well, it was on clearance so I'm not going to sweat it too much. There is also a hot tub for us to enjoy and we are extremely happy having it all our back yard.

We have made a few trips to Pier 60 where they have a huge covered playground for the kids to play on. Yesterday we tried out the other playground between here and there which just so happens to be across the street from the sushi restaurant we are falling in love with. Every evening they have a festival at the pier with street performers which are entertaining for the young and old. There are booths selling various nick knacks. I got myself a shell nightlight. Summer scored a picture frame on a shell sculpture that boats three palm trees and a beach all made from shells. On one walk on the pier, we saw two manatees swimming down the coastline. That was pretty cool to us all. Summer really enjoys the bungee trampolines they have there and has done it twice. The 2nd time she almost did a flip, but she doesn't have the power or the know-how to go all the way around. Maybe she'll get it one day. We have yet to walk out to where they fish on the pier, but Summer and I are definitely going to fish there sometime this week. Her daddy, Selena and I went deep sea fishing last week and caught some Spanish mackerel that we cooked up for a few meals. I wish I would've taken Summer on that trip since she caught 5 fish off of our dock the night before we left for Florida. She just might have my fishing gene! Oh well, next time for sure if she wants to go.

Mother's Day was awesome and Summer greeted me with Happy Mother's Day when I got back from taking my brother to the airport. During our vacation, she created a few things just for me. One is a necklace with a painted heart pendant she made with a kit she got for her birthday. She also painted the pot of the orchid Clint picked out for me. What a treasure! She even put her 5 year old hand print on it. I have a few other pots she has decorated over the past few years and am happy to have another one. Let's hope I don't kill the plant! She also made me a card that she painted with her new paints that she got for her birthday. It meant a lot to me that she made it all and just for me. She does not like to part with her creations sometimes. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful daughter.

Well, we are off on another adventure. Until next time......