Jacksonville

Because Chris went to Colorado for Memorial Day with all his basketball buddies, one of the wives whose husband was on that trip invited me and the local basketball wives on a trip of our own (this one with kids though). She planned it around basketball camp here in town so that the husbands would be busy anyway and also to take place before anyone would have to move in the event that the coaches in the group got new jobs (which didn't happen this year, thankfully). I had a great time and really appreciated the opportunity to get away after Chris' slew of work (and the one for fun) trips these past two months. I was totally exhausted when we got home though and very thankful to see Chris. Travel and taking care of two kids by myself for four days was totally draining.

For example, navigating the airport with two kids, luggage, a double stroller, and two carseats is no small feat (for me, who does not do this ever).

Both the girls did well on the airplane. Eleanor watched a movie on the ipad the whole time and when we hit some turbulence, she told me the airplane was like the "up, up, Elmo" ride at Busch Gardens, hah! Jane seemed to really enjoy flying (and got her own seat each way). 

Plane from Katie Stratton on Vimeo.

We did several activities while we were down there, none of which lasted too long with small kids, but were still fun to attempt, such as the zoo...

...a local museum that had some kid things to do - the picture of the girls is in the "Olmsted Garden" - picture taken for Gaby and Papa Laser...

...a local beach - which was pretty much a total disaster for me (though thankfully not for everyone else). Jane got sand (and sunscreen) in her eyes just about as soon as we got there and was absolutely miserable, but Eleanor had a decent time. Sadly I took no pictures of Jane because of her despair...

...and a local candy shop, where we got some ice cream.

The rest of the time, we spent napping, or playing in the pool. The internet only worked in one room of the house so for better or for worse, I really didn't use my phone much except to take pictures (I have a very limited data plan). The only other downside to that was that my baby monitor functions on wi-fi, so we had a falling out of the bed incident that I wasn't aware of until Eleanor woke up Jane with her distress. I definitely plan to go back to the old school sound monitor for our family vacation in July!

Also, in a weird coincidence, almost every member of my family except my brother was/is in Florida around the same time - on separate trips!