Mini-Vacation, Mega-Fun: Part II
Our weekend camping trip was centered around Sanibel Beach. We actually chose Sanibel Island because they are known for their seashells. The island runs parallel to the mainland and so all the seashells wash up on the beach there.
Chris and I figured as much as Bean loves picking up acorns in our driveway, he would love picking up seashells off the beach.
We were totally right.
What we didn’t plan on was how much Chris loved picking up seashells off the beach with Bean.
What we also didn’t plan on was that this beach had a coconut. Not coconuts, plural. Coconut, singular. Just one. And my two boys found it and then proceeded to bash it around the beach trying to break it open.
While Chris tried to break into the coconut with a pocket knife, Bean kept himself occupied by pouring fistfuls of sand in his hair.
While we were sitting on the beach, I thought, “Oh, he’s so cute! I’ll just let him play for a little while.” But then I came to my senses when we got back to the campsite and I realized that the powdered-thin sand was now permanently part of Bean’s scalp. So, I did what mother’s do best. I hauled him off to clean him up.
Right there at the campsite in front of God and everyone.
The water was pretty cold…
No matter how much I scrubbed that blonde, curly scalp, I could NOT get that darn sand out of his hair! So, eventually, I gave up and thought, “Well, at least he’ll never have to worry about dandruff.”
Bean was just thankful to be out of that cold water.
After our day at the beach, it was time to head home. We had planned to stay two nights, but after the Screeching Nocturnal Birds from Hell, Chris and I decided we’d much rather head home and be in our own bed that night. So, we packed up the campsite.
With Bean’s help, of course…
Once we were all packed up, we headed out to a late family lunch.
Which I don’t have any pictures of because we had so much stinkin’ fun that none of us stopped to take a picture. We ate at this place called the Lazy Flamingo. It was this great little local sports bar that had about 15 televisions all with different football games on. Bean, I should mention, LOVES football. When he saw all those TV’s, he started squealing, “Fooball! Fooball!” and then throwing his hands up and shouting, “T’down! T’down!”
They sat us in the middle of the restaurant, which meant that as every single person walked by, Bean insisted that they say hello to him. He’s quite an aggressive greeter. If he says hi to you and you don’t say it back, he stares you down across the restaurant, pointing at you, yelling, “Hiiiiiiiiii!!! Hiiiiiii!!!!” until you cannot ignore him any longer. And that’s exactly what he did the whole time we were in the restaurant. He alternated between yelling at the television and yelling at people until they said hi to him.
We ate good, fried seafood and wings. Ya’ll.
(Sorry. I just feel like I should throw a “ya’ll” in there whenever I talk about fried foods.)
And the best part was that Bean ate it all with us! He loved the fried grouper! He chowed on the celery and ranch dressing! He dove into the french fries and ketchup! He even ate hot chicken wings! And he loved it all!
Even better than the food though was how much fun we had. I really can’t tell you why. I mean, it was just lunch at a restaurant. But we laughed and played and ate and goofed around with each other for almost two hours. I’m sure it doesn’t make any sense when you read about it. Nothing special about chicken wings and football. But it was really one of the most fun times I’ve had yet with Chris and Bean.
By the time we loaded back up in the car to start our four hour drive home, Bean was worn out from all the fun at the beach and then lunch. He was sleeping before we even pulled out of the parking lot!
All in all, it was a great mini-vacation. I really couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. I’m so glad I LIKE my family. They make me laugh, they cheer me up, they’re always there for me, and they’re just a lot of darn fun!
23 Comments
Andrea
I Love the picture of Bean getting the cold water poured over his head! His expression made me giggle 🙂 Glad you had such a great, memory-filled trip!
Lisa
I agree with Andrea, that picture of Bean getting dumped with water was hilarious. And there definitely is something special about wings and football! Makes for a fun Sunday! Mmmmm wings…6:30 am is probably a little to early to be after chicken wings eh?
Jen at Cabin Fever
Haha. His face when he is having the water poured on him is priceless. And its true. Mothers ALWAYS clean their kids in front of God and everyone. My mom did the same thing to us.
Lindsay (YoungMarriedMom)
My brother used to do the same thing in restaurants–except he would say “bye” to everyone as he left. I’m sure Bean made a lot of other people’s day that day, too. Glad to hear you had such a fabulous weekend!
Kat @ Living Like the Kings
I love the picture of Bean cuddled up in a towel. So adorable. The sand in the hair? Probably a lot less adorable. Although I bet it does wonders for his skin…it’s like a fine exfoliant.
Jenny J.
How fun! It sounds like a mini-vacation was just what you guys needed. I have always found that the most fun is had with the simplest things, hope you have a great week!
Jen C
That pic of Bean and the cold water is so freaking cute! I love the expression on his face! sometimes the simple things like lunch are the ones that produce the most memories. Its funny to see people in October in dresses and on the beach when we’re all bundled up here in st louis. Wanna trade for a week?
Jennifer
Sounds like yall had a great trip!! Yall may know this but if you rub cornstarch on your skin before getting in the sand it won’t stick to you!! I didn’t believe it until I tried it and it really works.
kk
aw…..so bean’s love of picking acorns is inherited from his dad…glad you had a great time.
Tressa
LOVE the cold water picture!!! LOVE IT
Making memories is the BEST!
Kelly H.
Very cute! Love his face under the cold water. Next family vacation – try Marco Island. A little further south and just as beautiful! Lots and lots of sand dollars and shells to be found.
Jen @ Heavenly Mommy
It looks like everyone had a great time. I love mini-vacations, but I LOVE coming home too 🙂 Glad you had a chance to relax!
Betty
I LOVE the Lazy Flamingo, we ate there on our honeymoon. And what a great camping trip! I love the pics of Bean getting water poured on him, so cute.
Jessica W
“Fooball” and “T’down” complete with hand signals is seriously the cutest thing I have heard all week!! And that beats out 2 nieces, a nephew, and 2 cousins all under the age of 4 in Halloween costumes!!
jenniferc
your happy lunch makes sense. You were still on a vacation high, and you were in SANIBEL
Cami@Good Craft Day
Oh my gosh, you’re so funny and cute. I love the photo of the coconut sitting in the sand after Bean threw it down. Your website is fabulous and I love reading about your adventures. Thank you!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
I have to say Katie – you don’t sound at ALL depressed to me. 😉
Christina
I love it. The coconut = awesome. Just one? You can’t beat that. Or make it up. So funny.
the pictures of him getting his freezing cold shower are priceless. 🙂
I think it makes perfect sense that you had so much fun. What a great memory!
Carrie T
The pic of Bean getting and the cold water just killed me. My boss came out of her office to see what I was laughing about.
Jenna
Katie, our honeymoon was at Sanibel! It is one of my most favorite places on earth. And we LOVED the Lazy Flamingo, too! Did you go to Pinocchio’s for ice cream?? Your pictures and stories made me so happy … thank you! Oh, and I’m glad you all had such a wonderful trip 🙂
Megan @ Red Dirt and Crazy
Poor little Beanie!! He looks like he’s freezing!!
I love it when we have huge unexpected fun like that! THOSE are the good times you won’t soon forget!
Sahsha's Mummy
Great pictorial.
Maggie
Hi! I haven’t been to FLorida in years but I did go to Sanibel Island once when I was only like 8. And guess what, I found one cocnut there too! I remeber playing hockey with it with my siblings! And I also remember waking my mom up at the crack of dawn to find seashells! Here’s the best part: we ate the The Lazy Flamingo!! Carzy! Thanks for this blog it brought back nice memories! =)