Florida and other American trips

Last summer we kept on telling ourselves that with Ami being little it's only a matter of time until we can travel the way we used to: all the time, everywhere. And, we kept our promise. We planned for summer 2017 lots and lots of trips, longer, or shorter.

First on the list was mommy's conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. We've been there before, we knew the hotel and the transportation options well, so we were hopeful for a restful, sunny vacation. And it was! We were greedy with time and with what we wanted to. City place is West Palm Beach downtown and a nice place to stroll with little kids. Our hotel had a free shuttle there so this was our first stop:

Next on our list: the zoo. We had fun, but we could have just walked around for an amazing demonstration of exotic animals. This lizard was roaming freely in one of the zoo's restaurants!

 Splashing zone in the zoo beat all the animals! Catalina loved, Ami loved it!

Florida is obviously all about blueish greenish water that melts one's eyes and soul. Ami, our fearless, independent girl did not have time to stop for pictures, so any attempt to keep her still ended in meltdown and cries.  So we just let her be, or took pictures of a screaming baby :)

 Once mommy's conference ended we moved to a fancy resort so we can enjoy some worry free time.

Splashing zone in the resort was a big hit with both our girls.

 The resort was right on the beach, so we took plenty advantage of it. Now, months later from our visit I can still smell the salty air, the happiness, the freedom, the summer, the love.

And this is just pure Catalina. All love, all heart, all spirit. So much emotion, so much kindness, so much in such a little girl. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at a picture of Catalina without tearing a little. Just the same, I won't ever be able to look at a picture of Ami without filling myself with strength and determination, with healthy, hearty laughter.

 Sweet and gentle

Determined and tough

When it comes to my kids, I have it all and some more!
And this is where our Florida trip ended. It was a nice break from our busy, stressful lives. Coming back, Catalina had one last week of school and we were ready for the official start of summer!

You go, girl!

We couldn't really feel bad about ending the Florida trip, as we had one planned just around the corner. A camping trip to our favorite campground in Cape Henolpen. We went there with Ami's godparents and their daughters. It's just not that much fun camping alone. And of my goodness, we had tons of fun!

Smore's before dinner? Of course! there are no rules when camping, just fun!

 I have an obsession with sunrises and the sea/ocean since I was a young and naive college student. I love the romance, the promise of the beginning, the beauty, everything!

 Having fun can be tiring and my girls loved sleeping in the tent!. After we knew Ami will be part of our family we bought a 4 person tent. A humongous one that is hard to set up, but gives us room to dance if we want!

 My girls, exactly how they are: looking for fun, looking for peace!

 Smore's again, please!!

We packed up our big tent and set on the road after 2 nights there. Once again, we did not have time for nostalgia, the next day a friend was visiting me and the day she left, Petronela and her gang came to visit us. So, fun, fun, fun!

We had 3 days together so we planned some things. Our first stop, and a visit we ourselves wanted to make was at the Franklin Institute, a science museum that is apparently famous outside Philly as well. So, gang of 9 people headed out there!

Measuring different body parts to see how close to perfection the body is. Just in case we were not obsessed enough with how we look...

Let's see who's stronger! MOmmy wishes she has few pounds less :)

Bonding between the cousins. And of course, a contest!

The girls inside a giant heart. Literally :)

Good bye, Franklin Institute!

 We headed out for dinner and we fond a place close to Comcast Center, the highest skyscraper in Philly.

Skyscrapers or not, the kids enjoyed the splashing area the most!

Nest day was reserved for more local fun. We headed to a mini golf place and we did have fun. But boy, was it hot! Catalina was very proud of her SEVERAL hole-in-one, while Peter tried to cheat his way at the top of the list :)). Heat and ambition led pretty much everybody to a little (or more) of dishonesty, just enough to have fun and for parents to yell a little ;)

Afternoon was set for the pool. All was good and fun until Peter pushed Mikil in the pool and Mikil had his phone in his pocket. Iphone damaged, big frowns on their faces.

This ended their visit, with promises to see esach other again this year. Let's see how and when that will happen!

As I mentioned, our summer was all planned out. Next trip on the list was a weekend trip to Hershey to meet Valorie, a grad school friend of mommy's and her family. Who's not on board for chocolate, right? Well, our family was a little reluctant, only because we all got so, so, so sick when we first went to Hershey for Catalina's 7th birthday.
Well, hope for the best, but prepare for worst, right? We did not have to prepare for anything as everything went smoothly and we had a lovely time. The hotel had a nice inner court and the girls enjoyed it.

 The trip to the park was very successful, especially considering we went there with 5 kids! Nobody got lost, no major tantrums

Sweeter than chocolate!

 The highlight of the park visit for us was a very successful drawing of our girls, that is now hanged in our house.

 The whole gang, the last evening

And this ended the list of mini vacations/trips/visits and we relaxed a bit for the big summer finale! Germany and then Romania. Adventures, here we come!!!