Spring Break

For the first part of spring break we headed down to Bradenton, Florida to enjoy the beach and a Red Sox vs. Pirates spring training game. We left in the evening which seemed like a good idea until we hit terrible traffic less than an hour into our trip and Cate kept getting sicker and sicker. She had a fever and was coughing every 2 seconds (seriously, I timed it) for the first 3 or 4 days. She was miserable and so the rest of us were too. Actually, Brooks was sick too but he never complains, he just gets lethargic. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
That first night we couldn't find a room. It seemed like every single hotel was booked for some event or another and we ended up staying in a pretty dumpy place. However, the kids were thrilled with the playground! A run down, homemade merry go round. They are pretty easy to please.We were all thrilled to be able to hit the beach for a couple of days. I've said it before and I'll say it again--the gulf beaches are the most beautiful I've seen in the whole world. White, sugary sand and warm, clear blue water. If it's big waves you are after this isn't the place for you. But otherwise, it is heaven and so close to us! Also, a great place to collect shells:
I'm so glad my kids love the beach because I don't think there's anywhere I'd rather be. Hey, do you think they need and Oral and Facial Surgeon down there? This is at Manatee public beach on Anna Maria Island.
Really, if you are looking for a great beach vacation I highly recommend the gulf beaches. Alabama's are great and from what I've seen of Florida's they are great too.
I had to include this picture of Cate coughing so we can all remember how miserable she really was.
Lewis and the big kids also squeezed in a baseball game while Cate and I rested in the car in a Target parking lot.
They lasted through the 5th inning until they were too hot and whiny for it to be fun anymore. But they had a great time, especially Lewis, and loved being so close to all the players.