Florida

For the past several summers, Noah has gone to spend a week with my mom during the summer.  He enjoys visiting with her, working on a project or two with Poppa, hanging out with his friend Jesse and generally being away from his immediate family, I think.

This year Eiley, Armand, Elio and I tagged along.  We planned to spend a few days all together, then Armand, Elio and I would scoot over to the other coast to meet up with Amelia, Elio's Guatemalan cousin, whom we've only met once before when the kids were 3 years old.

We went to the Ponce de Leon Springs where we had all-you-can eat, make-at-the-table pancakes in a very hot and crowded restaurant.  This is a tradition for Noah's summer visit, always bringing Jesse with him, but this year I decided I think I'd prefer to save the $80 that breakfast costs for 7 people, make all-you-can eat pancakes at home and go to a less crowded, more spring-y spring next time.  Mom said you can't break with tradition, and maybe she's right, but I think I'll try to start a new one the next time we visit.

We went to Sandestin Resort in Destin, FL to meet Amelia's family who was coming from Louisiana. It was a perfect location that Amelia's mom suggested.  They have luxurious apartments, activities to entertain the whole family, great restaurants that were surprisingly reasonably priced, beautiful pools, and paths to walk or bike along.

Elio, as soon as he saw Amelia, because incredibly shy and ran into the bushes.  He had not mentioned feeling shy at all so his behavior came as a surprise to me.  He took a long time to come out of the bushes and when he did, he was aloof and wild acting.  Dear Amelia clearly wanted to talk with him but all he could do was run and hope she'd chase him.  (Luckily she did.)  He seemed like he truly didn't know what to do with himself and all his emotions.



Elio with too much energy for a photo shoot
 

feeding fish
 

Elio and Amelia tried bungee jumping
 

 

 

 

 

I think Armand felt a bit of a third wheel.  While we always call Amelia the 'boys' cousin', it is well known that she is Elio's cousin really.  And Amelia had definite eyes for Elio.  I love the photo series below from our breakfast the morning after meeting. 

 



Elio stealing a look at Amelia

Amelia glancing back at Elio

Elio getting nervous because Amelia is talking to him

'What??' 

Soon after these photos were taken we wanted to give Amelia a little gift and Elio was so nervous he left the table and didn't return until the food was served.

After breakfast we went swimming in the pool. Amelia brought water squirters for the three of them so Elio and Amelia were on one team and Armand the other. After a long time Armand asked if he and Amelia could be on one team against Elio.  Amelia said no.  He asked if he and Elio could be against her and she said no again.  She said 'I won't shoot my cousin' to which Elio replied 'I will!'  So much of their interaction seemed classic boy-girl.  I felt like I was getting some clues about what they'll be like with their first crushes. 

driving boats
 

waiting to bungee jump again
 

Elio finally feeling a little more comfortable
at the end of the second day
 

Amelia and Elio gearing up to ride a zip line

Amelia is very brave.  She had no hesitation about riding a zip line high above the lake.  Elio initially didn't want to do it but Amelia convinced him to try.  They climbed to the top of the launch tower but after Amelia went, Elio decided to come back down instead.  He tried to be brave!

The goodbye was hard for Elio also; he just didn't know how to handle it.  He even left at one point and watched us from the outside through the window.  Amelia wanted to give Elio a goodbye hug but Elio just couldn't do it.  He hugs other friends easily, but he couldn't hug her.  He kept his hands up behind his head and Amelia did the best she could.

Elio, Armand, Amelia and Julia
 

 

 

We have talked about making it a yearly tradition to meet Amelia and her family at Sandestin.  I think it would be great for the children to maintain their relationship and I look forward to bringing the whole family next time.

 

 

The boys and I returned to my mom's house for a few more day where we swam in the pool, played Mexican Train, ate a special dinner to celebrated Eiley's birthday and visited with friends.  And once we got the van jumped and bought a new battery, we were on the road home once again!