4

Four is the number of times we have gone to the same beach and stayed at the same hotel for our late fall vacation. We usually pack up the car and the roof rack, surprise the kids with a day full of iPad and treats and trek it down to Florida. This year was no exception.

I was reminded about how fun vacation is just this morning when Miss T rolled over to me and said "I had a lot of fun at the faraway beach," and giggled. I could not help by giggle myself...even if it was raining the first few days we got there, it was just what we needed after a full year of making Raleigh home.

Tropical Manor - Daytona Beach Shores

Spencer calls this place the "faraway beach" because we have to drive all day to get there and so now Miss T, does the same. After we left last year he was quick to ask when we would be going back or insinuating what he would do when we DID return. It never occurred to him that we would not go. Amazing how pure and uncluttered a child's mind truly is.

On a whim the Mister decided hitting up Disney and their Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party was a good idea. I could not believe that it would be his first time, along with the kids. I guess I took it for granted all the times my family would go, as I grew up in Florida. We didn't go all the time but enough that going back was very nostalgic for me. I loved remembering the rides and seeing all that had changed. But I especially loved seeing my kids faces when they realized where they were! Happiest place on earth and the kids were proof of that as they stayed up way past their bedtime and enjoyed ever minute of it.

 

Typical family photo...someone not looking or smiling!

The weather cooperated for our night at Disney and the kids enjoyed getting dressed up and trick or treating. There was not a lack of candy and the givers were more than happy to dole it out. I think a lot of the adults were there for just that reason. Free candy and you could do it and not get lambasted for being too old to trick or treat.

Spencer wanted a scary costume this year. Gone are the days of me getting a say and him being something cute. Miss T has changed her mind 3 times already but this choice will stick. Something about Cinderella that has her enchanted.

I'm ready to go back to Disney and I know the kids are too...I wonder if it's silly to stick to these night events? I mean the crowds are there but are not even close to the crowds during the day! I think the most we waited was maybe 15 minutes?

Anyway, the kids are getting bigger and the items I am required to travel with seems to be dwindling. I'm not sure if we have another "faraway beach" trip ahead of us. It might be time to stick closer to home and start using those flight perks.