Continuing While I Can... Florida Day 7!

I have big plans for this blog in the coming days and/or weeks, and maybe even the creation of another blog, but before I can get to that, I need to finish a story that I started a long time ago... one that hasn't quite ended yet, but is nevertheless full of beautiful memories of *my* little patchwork family.  Besides, I just love sharing pictures of certain precious little girls... even if I miss them a ton... and we really did have a blast in Florida and I want her to have this to read someday - if not sooner, then later... so here it goes... Tuesday!

I enjoyed sleeping in on Tuesday since we'd gotten up early on Monday to watch the sunrise.  A even slept in, we woke up around 11 am!  We then slathered up with sunscreen (my WHOLE back this time) and headed out to the beach again.  We had determined to bury ourselves in the sand and go boogie boarding.  There was still a red flag warning for rip currents, but A and I never went out deep and we stayed right in front of a lifeguard tower, so I felt okay about it.  Better than the time we swam in Portuguese Men-O-War at St. Augustine when I was 13 and then found out a week later that they were poisonous and could be deadly within hours... heh.

We had to dig a giant hole to bury me in the sand.  I wasn't going vertical, and I think 5 feet is short, but I guess not when you're digging a hole.  A had probably TOO much fun burying me... gotta watch myself around that child... I think she had a little too much fun taking the pictures too...

By the way, sand is HEAVY.

I put goggles on while she was burying.  She flings sand.

Busting out.  I was trying to be scary and make monster noises but I got stuck...

And well... unfortunately I also failed to remember that sand, especially Florida sand, is very... sticky.  On the plus side, I'm pretty sure I was nicely exfoliated...

A was highly amused, but decided she'd rather not be buried.  Ha.

Then, while A enjoyed the pool some more, I did this:

Did I mention "Best Vacation Ever"?

I took a super cute video of her in the pool, but I'm not done writing yet, and it's just the best, so I want to save it for last.  So on to our post-pool fun... we both desperately needed showers, especially me, as I discovered once inside that I had sand INSIDE my swimsuit... oh well, my burial amused A, which makes it worth it.  Then we headed back to the mainland to visit with my wonderful cousin and aunt.  On the way, we went over this bridge, which I took a picture of at a stoplight for my friend Ashley, who I know just loves long bridges, almost as much as she loves large birds...

I however FAILED to take any pictures with my aunt and cousin - we were too busy catching up and eating pizza!  My cousin Alex was so amazing with A, let her play with her American Girl dolls (which A loved... yeah, keep dreaming, A.  I love you, girl, but one fancy doll is all I'm buying, and you already have her.)  It was really nice to see my family - we always seem to miss each other when they come up to Ohio, and I hadn't been to Florida since I was 13!  Here's us when I was 11...

Me in the back of the car, Alex in front of me, and that's my Aunt Kaye in the black in the back

When we got back to the condo, A and I played a few card games before bed and read the fairy book that Angie left to A as well as A's children's Bible... and we both fell asleep happy.

Now, as promised, I'll leave you with the precious video from A in the pool that day.  I hate the sound of my own voice on here, I think I sound harsh... I was trying to remind her of some concepts she learned in gymnastics that I used to teach her how to flip in the water... but when I hear myself in the video I cringe, so pay attention to the cute little girl, not me.  (Side note... goodness, videos take forever to upload!  I meant to be asleep two hours ago!)

My favorite part is her little "I did it!!"  <3

Tuesday was good.  Wednesday, the crisis began, so I can't promise a cheerful post, but I do have some darling pictures of our last day on the beach, so up it will go!  Bless you all.