Loose Ends

Today is our last full day of vacation so there were a few things that we had to get done.

1. Last year on vacation we started a tradition, mostly to prevent us from overspending on souvenirs. At the end of the vacation each girl can choose one thing that they saw on vacation that they want as a souvenir. Throughout the vacation they shop and assess and compare. The last day they choose.

Olivia's choice was something that she saw at Bass Pro Shop. When we got there Megan took Olivia to shop and I occupied the other girls.

Addison is the animal whisperer - we have established that - but this even freaked me out.

Olivia selected a tadpole and frog habitat that she had seen earlier in the week.

2. Last year in the off season we happened upon Sweet Carolina's. I loved it, mostly because they had the best cornbread. I had been wanting to eat there again so we tried to sneak it in on the last day.

Lunch did not go well. The food was great but Emily Grace was not having it and so Megan was unable to enjoy the meal and so on it went. It was a good thought but that is how it goes with kids - some days are diamonds and some days are coal.

3. Addison's selection was something that she found at the mall, so off we went.

She chose an owl sleep mask - go figure.

4. There is a train at the mall that the girls called choo-choo soul. They were promised a ride on it earlier in the week but it was closed.

We had to get this done before we left, and since we were already at the mall ...

5. Earlier in the week the girls went "jumping" at the mall. They had talked and talked about it - so we let them do it again.

While the big girls jumped, Emily Grace spotted a familiar face and caught a ride with him.

6. Earlier in the week we bought some cupcakes at Broadway at the Beach.  They were absolutely amazing - especially the Reese's Cup and Key Lime - we had to have more so we stopped in on the way home for Emily Grace's nap.

7. While Emily napped I took Olivia and Addison geocaching on the golf cart. It is part of nearly every trip we take. We found two.

8. We had enough tickets left for a few more rides - they had to be used.

9. One last walk on the beach - even though it had turned dark.

With our punch list completed we bring our last full day of vacation to a close.

Friends, Water Parks, and Street Performers

Today was Olivia's big day. She really wanted to do the water park so Olivia, Addison, and I went to Wild Water and Wheels. I am sorry that there are not more photos of them enjoying the water park but I forgot to switch the water case on my iPhone and besides I had two girls to keep up with in a very crowded park.

While I had the big girls at the water park, Megan had Emily on shopping detail - but it was not without its perks.

After the water park and shopping, we went back for a golf cart ride and then we had reservations at Yamato where we met and got to know some new friends. I guess it was a day for that kind of thing because Megan and Emily made a new friend while they were at lunch today.

After dinner - guess what - more rides.

On the way to more rides the girls got to drum with some street performers. 

Snacks on the way home and so closes another great day.

Pizza and Sand Castles

Today we began at Bass Pro Shop. It didn't take long - basically to us it is a free aquarium.

A rare moment of sister love in the mall just outside Bass Pro Shop.

Next for lunch we went to The Game Zone - part of the Ultimate California Pizza Company. It is kinda like a Chuck e. Cheese except the pizza is good. We amassed a million tickets and it was worth about $1.50 in prizes - this is inflation at its worst.

Next it was to the pool and then back to the beach.

The girls found an abandoned sand castle complete with a shark sand sculpture - then it was on.

Megan commemorated our vacation in the sand - Davis Vacation 2013.

Before long nature took its course and the ocean took back the sand castle so it was back to the pool before bed.

Megan found these at our rental house and Addison said, I always wanted a "murcle."

I love my family - I hope I never forget these days and moments like this.