Day One

Sunday - I couldn't imagine a better way to spend Mothers Day than on the beach :)

Benjamin is definitely taking advantage of the full block out curtain/blinds in the condo and slept in until 8:30am. As soon as we were done with breakfast we headed down to the beach.

We built up a pretty big appetite being out by the water all day so after everyone go cleaned up we went to the Shed for some good 'ol BBQ.  Benjamin was determined to clean that corn cob :)

The Shed was right next to the Harbor walk so we strolled around to do some people and boat watching.

There are some very fun looking people at the Harbor.  David compared them to river people, only saltier. 

On the Road Again

Friday finally came and we could get on the road to our much anticipated beach vacation.  We were actually close to being exactly on schedule.  We told ourselves we wanted to leave by 8pm and we were in the car pulling out of the driveway at 8:19pm.  Not too shabby.
I turned around and asked Benjamin if he was excited to go to FL...I don't think he understood because he seemed less than thrilled.

He did pretty well through the night.  He slept from about 9pm-5am.  We stopped for breakfast around 7am and let Benjamin stretch his legs and then it was back in the car for the last couple of hours.  Thank goodness for portable DVD players (Thanks Brian and Emma)

Of course about 30min away from the condo, Benjamin decides its time for a nap :)

It actually worked out pretty well.  David was able to unload everything while I stayed in the car and let Benjamin snooze for a little while longer.
Once we got up to the condo, Benjamin was very intrigued by the beach and couldn't wait to get down there

We quickly put him in his swim gear and took off.  I was wondering if he was going to love the water as much as he did last year and after a few seconds on the beach, I didn't have to wonder anymore.  The kid LOVES it.  He charges out in the water with absolutely no fear. 

And he's having a blast with all the sand

So it's safe to say this years vacation is already a million times better than last year :)

Here's a couple shots of our condo...I don't think the pictures really do it justice though.  It's super nice!

Hairy Elephant

We've managed to hold off on the first "real" haircut until today.  We've given him a few trims here and there but nothing major.  But it was starting to get out of control so we sought out professional help :)

Benjamin was definitely very skeptical in the beginning but he eventually warmed up.

The kid salon is called Hairy Elephant (thanks Emma and Zoe for the suggestion!) and it was really cute.  All the seats were fun cars, golf carts, air planes, boats etc.  Benjamin was in a jeep :)  And he got to pick out a movie to watch, which of course was Elmo.
Courtnee was his hair dresser and she was great!  She was really patient with Benjamin and made his hair look amazing

All smiles...

Until the electric razor came out.  He did NOT like that

Sadly this is the last picture I took.  I was too distracted after that and forgot to take an after shot.  But they did that for me and glued it on to a first hair cut certificate along with a lock of hair.  Such a fun experience (minus the few min. melt down)
I highly recommend it!

Eckerts Strawberry Festival

We went to the Eckerts in Belleville IL last weekend.  I've been strawberry picking before but I'm pretty sure it was about 15-18 years ago so it's been awhile.  I was pretty excited to take Benjamin, I thought he'd have fun actually picking the strawberries but he really didn't seem that interested.  He might have picked 3, maybe 4 and that was about it.  He was more concerned about his animal crackers...of course.

It was blazing hot, even though we were in the fields by 9:30am.  I thought we'd be spared from the heat by going super early but last Saturday was brutal, it didn't matter what time of the day it was-it was HOT!

But we powered through it and picked some good berries

After the picking, we decided to take a break and check out the country store and soak in some A/C. 

Then a quick walk over to the Kids Farm.   They had Carnival rides, a mini train, pony's, petting zoo etc.
I was really excited when I saw the camel.  And even more excited that David had quarters for the food machine

Benjamin thought it was hilarious

Apparently the goats were pretty hungry too.  They were staring Benjamin down!

With all the fun stuff around, I was so surprised by how much Benjamin was obsessed with this little bridge/tunnel.  All he wanted to do was run back and forth through it.

We capped the visit off with the one and only carnival ride of the day.  It started off ok.  I thought he was getting pretty excited about it. 

He only got around one full time, but that was it.  I think he thought his world was going to end.  He was NOT a happy camper

Despite the carnival ride mishap, it was still a great time. 

I went home and used all the strawberries for a pie...YUM :)

Just a few more days...

We're leaving for FL in THREE days!!! Can you believe it? I can't!!!  It's a mix of emotions for me.  I'm excited because hello...it's a beach vacation, of course I'm excited.  But at the same time I'm really nervous.  Our first family beach vacation last year was a hot mess, I keep telling myself there is no way we'd have a repeat but what if...
What if the weather turns out to be a disaster?  At least this time around we're going in May instead of Sept so we should be clear from hurricane season.
What if the car craps out again?  We had it fixed last year after we got back but the thought is still in the back of my mind.

I'm trying really hard to think positive thoughts.  I was even proactive over the weekend and started to pack.  I'm completely packed and so is Benjamin :)  I plan to do as much through out the week as possible so getting out the door Friday night should be a piece of cake. 

Benjamin loved the beach for the short 2 days that we were in SC last summer so I'm guessing he'll have a blast in Destin too.  The sand will be a lot different though.  The sand in Hilton Head was hard and compact, the sand in Destin is going to be super fine and soft. 
For some extra sand practice, we've been out in the sand box pretty much every day lately.  You would think that Benjamin would have learned by now that sand in the mouth is gross, but he'll still occasionally fill a bucket up and try to drink it.  Is this what it means when people say boys will be boys?  Because I just don't get it?!?

Let's also not forget about the rocks...apparently they taste just as good.

 Just lounging around

And just because this picture cracks me up...I figured I had to share :)
He looks so intense!

Fun Stuff

More random things I've been lovin lately

My new favorite water bottle.  It's glass wrapped in a rubber grid.  I saw it at Target and instantly HAD to have it

I finally gave in to the Hunger Games Mania and Holy Moly!!!! I can't stop!  I blew through the first and second book and made my self take a week off before starting the third book.  I'm trying to save the last book for vacation in a couple of weeks.  There's nothing better than reading a book by the beach :)

Since I've been restricted to a soft foods diet after getting my wisdom teeth out last Friday, this new Frozen Greek Yogurt has been a life saver.  David actually found it and brought it home for me.  It's definitely a winner.  So far I've only had the raspberry but I can't wait to try the other flavors.

Now that it's getting pretty darn hot out, I've been pulling out my tropical scents.  Victoria Secret Very Sexy Now Perfume is A-MA-ZING...It's like they somehow figured out how to wrap summer and the beach all up in one and made it into a perfume.  David is not a fan though :( Total bummer. 

I highly recommend all of the above :) 

Guess who's finally on Instagram

Woo Hoo!
I'm late on the band wagon, and honestly I don't know why it took me so long to download this app. but I am definitely obsessed!
I'm taking random pictures just because everything looks cooler with instagram:)

I was at the Cardinals game last night (thanks Brenda and Ben!) and snapped a few pictures...

How cool is this?

 I thought this was pretty funny.  Team Spirit at it's finest :)

 Just warning you...I'm sure there are many many more instagram posts in my future