Spring Break (…tag-alongs!)

We had barely finished Valentine’s Day when I started asking Matthew the same question he’s heard me ask him many times before:
“Soooo… The kid’s are out of school in April for Spring Break… Do you have any customers you need to see in Florida then?  Because, the kids and I would LOOOOOVE to tag-along with you if you want company.”

And although he had JUST finished his 23-hour trip back home from his mission trip to India, he came home, quickly unloaded (and reloaded) his suitcase, packed the car and forfeited an easy flight- only to drive 8 hours just where we could tag-along and enjoy Florida on our break.  (Yes, he’s a sweetheart.) 

The kids were awesome-travelers, but after being strapped in 8 hours, Ruthie couldn’t stand it ANY longer!  As soon as Matthew went to check us in, Ruthie was DONE and was roaming free in the car like a crazy-girl.

Windows-down…
Head-out…

We could have made it to the room MUCH faster if she would have just let us help her with her luggage.  But, getting to our room (and out of our pajamas) wasn’t worth the cries and screaming that came from those little lips when we tried to put her suitcase on top of our rolling ones.

“Come on, Ruthie!  Pick-up the pace, girlfriend!” 

Although I absolutely LIVE to travel with Matthew (No, I did not mean to put ‘love‘ and Yes, I mean ‘live‘ literally), when he’s working and seeing customers, we sometimes spend a lot of time without him.  So, what’s a gal to do with no ride and 3 kids in an unfamiliar spot?!?  I’ll tell ya…

Rayna and Ross pretend a LOT…

Ruthie brushes Rayna’s hair while she and Ross watch Curious George…

We go on mini-expeditions through the hotel…
(Last year, they must have felt sorry for us because a random man handed Ross $5 worth of coins to use at the arcade.) 

Ross tries to see how many lizards he can catch by the pool…

Ross asks the front desk if they “have any free toys like they did last year”....  (And, yes… they ALL 3 were given Sea World stuffed animals!)

Ross and Rayna choose different elevators to ‘race’ down…

Ruthie’s naps are sometimes delayed due to sister-cuddles…

Oh, and yeah… Ross and Rayna kind-of disregard the hotel’s sign that the kid’s water slides weren’t open yet…  (Yes, that’s them running UP the running-water slide 2-hours before it was scheduled to officially open.) 

Rayna tries to convince Ruthie that the water really isn’t ‘that cold’…
“You want RayRay to go with you?!?”

And it worked…

And I take pictures of Ruthie being sweet…

And pictures of Rayna deep-in-thought…

And pictures of Ruthie’s new smile…

And then I DID WHAT I ABSOLUTELY HATE AS A PHOTOGRAPHER- CREATING A ‘FAKE’ PICTURE BY ASKING MY KIDS TO DO SOMETHING THEY PROBABLY WOULDN’T HAVE DONE IN REAL-LIFE  take a picture of them ‘walking towards me’… 

Then, I go back to getting some REAL smiles (…as Ruthie watches Ross falling into the pool for the 100th time)…

We count Ruthie’s new curls and Rayna gets VERY excited… thinking she may start having curly hair like her…

Then Ruthie squeals as Ross plays-along and acts REALLY cold when she shoots him with the water-sprayer…

But as much fun as we have when Matthew’s gone, it’s ALWAYS better when he’s with us!

Check back soon!

Matthew’s customers in Ft. Lauderdale means a few more hours on the road, BUT, it’s SOOOOOOO worth it to feel the sand between our toes on day 3!