Postcard from Paradise (and picture overload)

You know those postcards with white sandy beaches and clear blue water and hammocks swaying in the breeze under palm trees?  ….it really does exist!

For our State-side friends, it will only require 24 hours of air travel and then a 12 hour car ride.  But let me tell ya, its worth it!  This may very well have been our best spring break ever.  I took 3 photoshoots I needed to edit, doula recertification packet I planned to complete and several projects I intended to work on……and promptly turned my computer and phone off upon arrival.  So glad I did!  A much needed break for us all and chance to reconnect as a family after a pretty rigorous season of travel for C and a “fractured family”!

We bummed on the beach for hours.  Bodysurfed the lovely full-moon high-tide.  Built sandcastles.  Soaked up sun by the pool.  Stayed up late.  Took naps.  Ate junk.  Played hard and slept even harder.  A wonderful time enjoying being together.  So blessed to be able to join C’s parents and his sister who came from Shanghai to visit as well.

Girls love their Chinese jammies from Grandma!

Having little towel friends waiting on our beds and tables everyday from the housekeeping service was one of Gigi’s favorite things!

California surfer dude…teaching them to love the sea

Tristan loved the pool too…..the pool table that is.  He spent hours at the hotel activity pavilion refining his skills.

And has been gloating relentlessly that he beat me!

We spent Easter Sunday with all 10 of us packed in a van driving back to Bangkok….sweltering temps upon return.  Laughing as we look at friends and families Easter pics breaking out the sundress with cardigans for the first Sunday of spring.  Im pretty sure I can never again live anywhere with seasons.  Even with 100% humidity, I am loving year-round summer!!  Happy spring y’all!

Baby Beach Bum

Her momma took her first steps on the beach.

So, it should come as no surprise that my children would be beach-bums too!  Its not an option in our family whether you prefer the mountains or the sea.  Some things are not a democracy and this is one of them.  Consequently, lil’ Miss had to get over her phobia of sand pretty quickly if she wanted to stay in the will.  I think its safe to say she conquered that fear and our little bathing beauty took to the beach just fine!

Maybe Ill get a family spring-break-beach-vacation post up tomorrow.

(maybe not….there is still sand to wash out of everything!)

But in the meantime….here is a little sneak peek.

And….lest you think that my “too big for her britches” mess is always an angel in front of the camera, you should know that I had to go through my fair share of these to get some cute expressions.

Just keepin’ it real!

Road Trip with the Smith’s

Its no small feat to get 8 Smith’s packed up for the week and out the door.  C benevolently offered to pack the boys if Id pack the girls.  (nice move hon!)

15 minutes later, he had his and Tristan’s suitcase sitting by the door and tackle box packed.  4 painstaking hours later, I emerged from the girls “dorm” laden with overpacked bags, purses, blankets and 4 baby-dolls suited for the trip.  Packing girls means 1) there will be a meltdown when someone can’t find their favorite new nail polish to bring and 2) you have an entire bag devoted to hair bows, cosmetics and accessories.

Its spring break here.  If you remember my post on Songkran last year, this is a major Thai holiday where everyone leaves the city in droves.  8 hours in the car yesterday and quite a few more to go today….but we’ll be waking in paradise tomorrow morning.  We’re headed to meet C’s parents and enjoy their timeshare at the beach.

Our fearless leader who had to answer “are we there yet” umpteen times yesterday.  I assured the kids to could be worse.  At least we all have seats.  We could be traveling Thai-style…

Poor guy…..Tristan was less than thrilled with the music choice in the car yesterday.  There was an inordinate amount of Taylor Swift and Shania Twain being rocked out to.

And here’s our version of a  “drive thru” at lunch time.  No Happy Meals to be had.  Simply roll down the window, negotiate a price and pass back fresh bananas and mangos.  (just scored 4 huge pineapples for $3…cant beat that!)

And then there are the rest stops.  The distinctive experience that identifies which of my girls will be able to make it in the bush….and which will not.  Izzy walked in.  Gagged.  And walked out.

“I’m just going to hold it“.

And bless her heart bladder….hold it she did.  For another 5 hours.

Evie’s response: “Next time I have to go, Im going to ask daddy to stop somewhere a little fancier“.

It may have been a mistake to cut corners with packing. Maybe should have brought the kitchen sink too.  This is the first trip we’ve taken free of diapers and port-a-crib now that Gigi is newly potty trained.

Well….almost.

Day 1 of vacation, up at dark-thirty bathing a bed-wetter and pulling sheets off.  It can only look up from here.  Lets get this party started…..back on the road we go.  Next stop, BEACH!