A much needed vacation

Mark and I just got back from taking the kids to south Florida for 10 days. His parents rent a house every year for a few months so we love to fly down for a bit to spend some time with them and with the warm weather. As many of you are experiencing, we've had quite the winter and we really needed to get away. I felt many times before we left that I was going a bit crazy - lack of vitamin D?? The sun was perfect. I highly recommend it, if only for a few days!

Mark's parents have a pool so we spent a lot of the time swimming (ok I'm a lounger but the kids swam a lot with Mark and his parents!) and took a few side trips to the beach and to the zoo in Tampa (Leo got to feed a giraffe!). There was only one day of rain and one other day was on the cool side, but over all it was amazing weather. It was worth it to go a bit later in the year to catch the warm rays and get away from the snow (did you hear we're getting more tomorrow?? ack!)

To top it off, the kids were amazing. They shared a room (Leo in the bed and Mila in a pack and play) and they slept so well there. They were up pretty early every morning (5 am on the morning of the time change - yikes!) but over all it was a great set up.

Thanks for the visit Nonno and Mimi! xo

How are you keeping warm this year? Did you go away?

florida 2013

Last week we went to Florida for what's becoming our annual family trip. Mark's parents rent a house for a few months near Ft. Myers and it makes for a nice getaway during the dreary months of February. The thing is - it turned really cold by the end of the week! As in 1 degree cold (33.8 for you Fahrenheit folks!). This happened last year too so I think if we go next year we'll head down a week later.

Also Leo just wasn't himself this trip. He was fine, but by the end of the week he started to act like a different kid. Yes, yes, he's two, but I wasn't diggin' it. Just out of sorts and barely napped. Oh well, hopefully I can get him back in a routine this week.

 I was going through these pics and one of my favourite one is in the last row above, middle picture. Mark's dad exercises daily on the floor and Leo wanted to do it too. So cute.

Mila turned six months while we were down there (Valentine's Day!) so I took a few shots of her. I want to have the same background of the other monthly shots so I'll have to do that this week! And Mark and I got to go on a date - wow! We went to a super random place by the beach. It was basically a gift shoppe/boat and jet ski rental place that had a really nice outdoor restaurant in the back with beautiful stone work and outdoor heaters that lit up like fire towers. We're not eating meat these days so we had some salads with shrimp (oh ya we're still eating fish). It was nice to get out on our own.

Hope you had a great week!

florida

Last week, we took a little trip to hang out with my husband's parents in Florida. It was our first trip with Leo and honestly, I was expecting the worst on the plane, but he was great. He loved seeing the clouds and also, when we were close enough, the houses etc. below. Also, we were able to keep him happy with a few iPad apps and some rice crackers we brought along :).

If I can give any advice for traveling, it would be to rent baby stuff! We ended up renting everything we needed for the trip including a crib (Leo does not sleep well overnight in a Pack n' Play), a booster seat for eating and a car seat, so we didn't have to lug it along on the plane. The only thing we brought with us was our stroller. This was honestly the best decision we made for the trip.

Here are some shots from the week:












Have a fantastic weekend!