“Rest and repose are as much a part of life’s journeys
as seeing all we came to see.”
― Gina Greenlee
At the beginning of May we, marking the conclusion of a full work season, were so giddy and grateful to take our kids on a cruise (Tampa port, to Grand Cayman and Cozumel). We had a handful of days marked on our calendar to "do something fun." We talked about doing Disney and Universal "like tourists" and staying up there. Talked about heading south and seeing some of the beaches in our state we've never explored yet (Miami, Key West, etc). Talk about Amelia Island, or Savannah, or 30A. Or doing that northeast trip we've been pining for for years. But when "cruise deals" came up... we couldn't resist.
Just too easy. Paid for ahead of time. Nothing to research or prepare for. No "transporting" or "traveling to." No loading and unloading. No "going." Just showing up in our city, getting on a boat, and everything ready for us... the whole time. I kept saying to Caleb "This is why cruising is a preferred way for retirees... its so EASY!"
As far as vacation and rest goes, it couldn't have been more restful and... well, easy. We felt so pampered! The kids went to the kid's camp every day for a few hours, so we even got alone time every day... "for free"! Ha! We got to dress up (I went a little outfit crazy...), have no worries about "too much luggage," and just lounge around and say "yes!" Yes, you can have pizza! Yes, you can have ice cream! Yes, we can go to the pool! Yes, you can do the slides! Yes, we can snuggle with you! Yes, yes, yes!
If that isn't rest, I don't know what is! Here's documentation for our personal family history and a few notes on highlights for me <3
- Boarding the ship was one of the best parts. We've been so committed to traveling with our kids, even if and when it's hard and extra effort, but we almost couldn't stop laughing at the embarking process. "That's it? This is all? This is so easy!" All four of us were giggly and it was just so sweet.
- The Guy Fieri Burger Bar and Blue Iguana Taco Cantina right by the pool were daily indulgences. Both far better than "cruise food" I've had before!
- One of my favorite details of Caleb when we first met was how he had two perfectly balanced sides: bumming around and dressing up. I loved both. And I love now that he's in music he always gets to leave the house "looking nice," as opposed to construction where clothing was just practical. Rue has adopted his dad's appreciation for "handsome clothes" and picked out a number of looks himself. They both felt pretty fancy and it killed me.
- Will never get over evening light on the ocean.
- They discovered sugar cereal... and fell in love fast and furious!
- We *might* have watched Rue go down the slides 876 times. For hours and hours and hours and hours. And it was the best.
- Jo took it upon herself to show Baby the Caribbean. Baby wasn't far from her side all trip! I love the third photo here... Jo was SO "mama bear" when Baby got splashed by someone coming down the slide! Hahah Don't mess!
- On one of our "date nights" we played each other in putt-putt. I lost by ONE stroke and we re-matched the next day. And I won by ONE stroke! We are going to break the tie at a putt-putt course near us sometime this summer hahah Definitely a Top Three part of the whole trip. Just have so much fun with my Mr. Morris. Ps. Also def did the couples massage. "Take me back."
- Other than the slides and 24/7 food bar, the kids' favorite part was probably the fold-down beds. Obsessed and adorable!
