-We had to walk “a whopping whole half mile” to the aquarium. She’s sulking!
-My babes, in the most relaxing undersea room, ever.
-I adore this!
-Nemo! Jelly fish!
-Touching Manta rays. Or lifting our hands out just before, because they’re slimy!
-We came upon a fountain park on the walk back. And I let them get soaked and their smiles made the rest of the walk back, dripping wet, worth it.
Oh, Sunday! The day that redeemed our crappy, bad luck, stomach virus ridden, Tropical storm angst vacation and turned it good again. The whole day I kept marveling that it was better. We were having fun!
We are staying in a gorgeous hotel in the heart of downtown Tampa and the kids and I were pretending we were city dwellers, walking to all the fun things around us. We found parks, a fountain area (see above!), the best aquarium I’ve been to in awhile, and sat and had drinks under a tiki hut overlooking Tampa Bay. I kept checking in with the kids, “Isn’t this fun?”, “Don’t we have the best life?” and they agreed. I mean, how could they not?
The past week of disappointment and worry melted away and this one, bright and shining day was just what the doctor ordered. For all of us.
We came home and took long naps in the darkened hotel room, then woke up and went to the lobby for a (kid friendly! free!) happy hour. I had the strongest rum and diet I’ve ever had (yikes!) and the kids had 376 bowls of nacho chips and ranch dip. Then we went out to dinner at a Hawaiian fusion restaurant where the attention to detail was amazing. Sometimes I forget what great service and such is when the typical meal out is quick and at a chain restaurant. Plates of salted edamame and cut up fruit and veggies were brought out immediately and kept the kids happy while we looked at the menu’s. We had lobster stuffed dim sum and gorgeously rolled sushi. To say we left happy (and full) is an understatement.
This girl? She’s happy. Content. Enjoying the vacation and time to explore new places and looking forward to our new adventure (Michigan!) that starts in less than two weeks.
You coming with me?
