Sanibel

During the first week of May we took our first family trip.  We haven’t gone anywhere for a week since James and I visited Machu Picchu in March of 2008.  Cabins without indoor plumbing don’t count…

This long-awaited expedition was to one of my most favorite places in the world, Sanibel Island.  This little island in the gulf has been my family’s beach destination since I was Jake’s age.  My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have been descending onto this old Floridian condo complex since the days it was most likely new… in the late 60’s or early 70’s.

So, it’s been 6 years since the last time we visited… much too long.  This time we talked Nonna and Papa into joining us and set-off on a week of key lime pie eating, shelling, canoe paddling, bike riding, parrot visiting, butterfly catching, and girlie drink drinking.

Overall, Jacob had some of his highest highs and his lowest lows.  He was like a little overheated, malfunctioning robot.  I think his brain was going a thousand miles an hour, he couldn’t nap, and when he did, his mind was still racing as it processed hundreds of new experiences and vocabulary words.  He was so exhausted that he fell asleep in my lap, mid-sentence, in his diaper and a towel, with a piece of energy bar still in his little hand.  By the end of the week he was finally getting used to the routine… and then it was time to go!

The swimming pool and beach were right up Jake’s alley, just as I’d imagined.  He giggled and screamed with glee as each wave hit him.  And the only thing that lured him out of the swimming pool and hours of jumping off the side “again, again” were bribes of Handy Manny.  He is a Pisces water baby who didn’t bat an eyelash, even when coughing and gagging on agua.  We are optimistic that the memories of the “I want out” and “I want Nonna” airplane meltdowns and the “I want ice cream cone” restaurant hysterics will fade from our memories…

Some highlights:

• Before our trip, Jacob talked nonstop about the airplane and how he was going to “drive it.”  At first he was freaked out by the pilot’s voice over the loudspeaker, but now he’s all about playing airplanes and does a nice rendition of “the pilot talking.”
• Nate’s airplane batting average is 4 for 4.  He was the perfect baby.
• Jake spent two weeks gabbing about how he was going to fish with a “fishing pole” when we got there.  Fortunately, he was perfectly happy with the driftwood and seaweed fishing pole I improvised and the pretend “big fish and baby fish” that we caught on the beach.  He had to blow on every pretend fish before we threw it back in the ocean.
• He’s now spent the last two weeks talking about how “alligators get me, hide.  Hide.”
• He scarfed down the clam chowder at DOC Ford’s and concurred with my Aunt Bonnie who had previously declared it the best clam chowder she’s ever eaten.  I can’t say I’d agree– but the Yucatan shrimp are deelish.
• James and I thoroughly enjoyed our ninth anniversary out at Sweet Melissa’s Cafe where we had some creative and beautiful food.  We didn’t have to chase spilled cups of crayons, point out cows or birdies, or use our bodies as sticky booth toddler barricades.
• We discovered breakfast at the Over Easy Cafe and had the most terrific day.  After a giant stack of pancakes, we rented a surrey bicycle.  It was a feat of multitasking as we peddled, I fed Nate, and we pointed out items of interest as Jake lounged in the front and waved at other bicyclists, after they’d passed us.
• It poured rain on our second to last night and brought out hundreds of froggies.  JJ heard one that he was convinced was “baa baa black sheep.”
• It was Nate’s first time swimming.  It was much easier getting him out of the pool…
• Jake chased a lot of lizards but never did “touch it,” despite a thousand attempts.
• Papa’s “mustache face” kisses made quite an impression.
• Everyone’s still longing for more Blue Bell ice cream.
• Nathaniel and I went on a magical sunset beach walk on our last night.  We saw a little hermit crab in a tulip shell.  The evening was perfect.

Our trip home might deserve its very own post…