We just finished our much needed vacation in Panama City Beach, FLA. Sun was the much needed part. After the winter we had we just wanted to see sun, grass, and open water!
How we end up at PCB is a bit of a long story. To sum it up, we used to own a condo there, our friends still own it even though we got out, so we can rent it back much cheaper than your average FLA place at spring break. It’s a great complex with good amenities. Sof was obsessed with the indoor pool, Lexi with the hot tubs, and Adrienne likes the Starbucks drinks at the little store. The drawback? It’s a total spring break destination for the high school crowd. I’m honestly a little torn on how I feel about this fact. On one hand, it is really fun to people watch. Especially when the cops are doing breathalyzers on the beach.
On the other hand, there’s something slightly off about my wholesome family vaca in the midst of this.
At any rate, we’ve been there enough to know this is what we were getting into, and again, we just needed sun!
Sof has never been to Florida before, but she knows about vacation. She started by making a packing list. Yes, she’s wearing Christmas jammies, don’t judge.
Blankey, Littlest Pet Shop, and snacks were her must haves. Still, when we said a long ride, I’m not sure she really knew what that meant.
Everyone(even Sof) did really well in the car. Thank God for iEverything.
We wasted no time getting to the Waffle House on the first morning. The kids have been talking about it forever!
The rest of the trip was a rotation between beach, pool, and shopping.
Lexi was real proud of her “castle”. LOL
There is a huge outdoor shopping mall that we frequented. It’s got little something for everyone and a good place for nightlife also.
Did I mention we came with our friends Barb and Jeff(and their son Andrew)? Funny thing about this is that Barb will be Sof’s Kindergarten teacher next year!
We happened to be shopping on the day that Grace was receiving her first chemo treatment. We came across these shirts and couldn’t resist sending her a pic letting her know we were thinking of her.
We had dinner at our favorite restaurant “Saltwater Grill”. The big girls remember coming here from years past, and were excited to see the same piano player!
The last day Mark took the big girls on a sailboat adventure to see some dolphins. They apparently had a little fun on the boat!
It was a great week. Vacations are a rare opportunity to be all together for an extended period of time. It forces you to take the time to notice where each kid is in their journey.
Adrienne is like having a girfriend around. She’s able to help out like another parent, shop, chat, and laugh. I’m wildly proud she’s my kid, and already sad at how little time I have left with her under my roof.
Jordyn and her had the perfect mix of going off on their own to qualify as teens, and yet spending time with us to fulfill the family vacation duty.
Lexi is caught between two worlds. One minute she’s laying on the beach with her headphones and a book, the next she’s building a sand castle. The beauty of a little sister is it gives you a pass to slide into their world when you want. I’m always torn between wanting to keep them little and the satisfaction that comes from watching them grow.
Sof is big enough to run back and forth between the sand and the water, all while I stay put in my chair. She made a friend and introduced herself, and showered by herself when we got back. Despite her independence, she’s still little enough to need a nap on the third day of sand and sun.
I love these three girls and their varying stages, and I loved the week we spent together.
It’s hard to go home and back to the grind, but while we were gone we had our entire house painted. A little something exciting to look forward too. I hope they put all the colors in the right places…
such wonderful memories...Ava Grace and Sof have the same dress. twins...
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