Clearwater

We started our summer break with a great trip to Clearwater. The girls really wanted to go to the beach, so we were happy to oblige. We drove down on a Sunday and spent that day at the Florida Aquarium and the night in Tampa. The aquarium was great, and the girls loved the water park that was there, as it was so refreshing after a long day in the car and then walking around. That night we had dinner at a college friend's sports bar, which was great to see him again after many years. The girls loved the pool at the hotel, especially since it was pretty empty.

We drove over to Clearwater on Memorial Day, which was a bad idea since it was packed, but we made it. Our hotel was wonderful since it had a great kids club for the girls. It was called Lisa's Clubhouse, and they went there every day. A close 2nd to the clubhouse was the parrot in the hotel lobby called Lisa. Every time we came down the elevator or entered the hotel, the girls would run to Lisa's perch to see if she was there.

Alexa had a wonderful time swimming and playing at the beach. When Alexa and I went to Siesta Key in March, she just sat and played in the sand, but this trip there was no sitting. I am not sure if she was just following her sisters or if the water was that much warmer, but she was in the water or searching for seashells the entire time. Alexa also thought she was like her sisters and tried just walking into the pool without her vest many times. Luckily, she didn't mind going under the water at all, although that is also a bad thing since she thinks she can swim on her own.

Lauren has become our little fish. She absolutely loved swimming in the pool and never wanted to get out. Many people also made comments about how much she likes swimming. She would just swim up to people, adults and children alike, and start talking to them. Lauren didn't like the beach so much because she didn't enjoy the saltwater, but still would go right out into the gulf anyways. She also taught herself how to dive into the pool by herself and is also doing flips underwater. Lauren is so fearless that she would even stand backwards and fall back into the pool. It is so amazing what 2 weeks of swim lessons has done for her. What would have happened if she had actually made it through her other lessons this past winter?!

Kaitlyn also met many other kids at the pool but wasn't as adventurous as Lauren. She is still having some issues with breathing, so she likes to hold her nose the entire time. The last night, we got her to dive to the bottom of the pool for some coins, and she wanted to do it 2 other times, so we were happy with that. Baby steps are better than nothing! Kaitlyn did enjoy staying up late for the 2 dive-in movies, although the 2nd one ended early due to a huge thunderstorm.

Lisa's Clubhouse ran lots of games and gave away lots of prizes, which made them that much more special. Kaitlyn won at Bingo and limbo, so she won 2 free ice cream cones. Alexa helped out with the obstacle course, so she won a free ice cream cone. Lauren dove to the bottom of the pool to collect some toys and won a free ice cream come. Lauren also drank the most of the mystery drink (all of it), so she won a free pizza. What's amazing was that it included jalapenos, salsa, sun-dried tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, avocado, peach yogurt, cranberry juice, Worcestershire sauce, OJ, BBQ sauce and green olives. If only she would try some of these by themselves! Bill also won 2 free drinks for Bingo and the obstacle course.

The last night was the best. We went for an early dinner, and the girls actually tried and like Alligator Bites, although they thought they were chicken nuggets. We then stopped at a big playground and then headed back to our pool. The girls loved swimming until sunset and having 1 last ice cream cone. Kaitlyn was hoping to see the sunset on the beach, but it was overcast, so that wasn't going to happen. So the swimming was a great way to end a great vacation. Once Kaitlyn and Lauren got up to our room and were ready for bed, they went out on our patio and waved and said good-bye to the pool. It was too cute!