We don't usually go on big trips for Spring Break. That's why the kids believed us when we said we were going to Denver. Because we are boring people like that. For months, I held my tongue while they said stuff like "I'm so excited to swim in the hotel pool!" and "Can we visit the aquarium?".
When we got to Denver, we pulled up to the airport. We were well past the demon horse and headed into the parking lot by the time Emily asked, "Why are we at the airport?".
They freaked out when we told them we were headed to Clearwater, Florida where Emily could fulfill her dream of visiting the beach and Jane could fulfill her dream of meeting Winter the Dolphin.
They were so excited they even sat together on the plane without fighting. For the first (and maybe only) time on a family trip, Chris and I were able to sit together on a plane ride.
Here is Jane with Winter and Hope. If you don't know what that means, don't worry, you must not have small children in the house.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium was amazing. Not only did they give Jane the gift of meeting the dolphins,
she got to feed and "train" Hope.
we got a behind the scenes tour, which included an office set from Dolphin Tale.
Chris is sitting where Harry Connick, Jr. sat. The resemblance is uncanny.
And then there was the beach.
I thought the kids would be a little nervous of the ocean. It turns out I was wrong.
We rented a cabana for us and an umbrella for the kids. It turned out we could have saved the money, because I'm not sure the kids ever sat in their chairs.
There is no such thing as boredom at the beach. we showed up early and stayed until they started pulling up the rentals.
Clearwater Beach is perfect for families. The water is shallow and warm and calm.
And the sand is beautiful and white and fine.
But eventually those European genes take their toll and there is no amount of sunscreen in the world that can sunburn proof my poor little family as they ran in and out of the ocean.
So we had to find some other activities to give our ghostly pale/fire engine red skin a rest.
It's funny what this great wide world holds. I never imagined there would be a place that is a pirate mini golf establishment/alligator feeding pond, but there is.
So we fed the gators and played mini golf. It was very unique.
Here is Emily paddle boarding. I am super proud of her that she was able to do it even though she was scared at times.
I wish I had a picture of Jane riding on Chris' board, but I was too busy trying not to fall in. Once we got used to it, it was a good time and a good workout, which was necessary on account of all the ice cream.
It was a pretty sick vacation, but it's been a little difficult coming home. Rumor has it that it's going to snow tomorrow.
I'm really starting to see why so many people retire to Florida. It's not such a bad joint. Especially when it's 80° in April.
