Florida

I'm going on 30 plus hours without sleep. My head is spinning. Or maybe it's the room. Not sure. I'm seriously jet-lagged with a good dollop of head cold, but I'm trying in earnest to resist the urge to sleep. I have a busy week ahead, and so getting my body clock on the right schedule as quickly as possible is a top priority. So with bags unpacked and luggage stowed until the next trip, I'm staving off sleep for another three or four hours (IF I can stand it). Here I sit in front of this big, bright rectangular thing sorting through photos. Not a great remedy for jet-lag, but it's at least keeping my focus so I don't fall over.



Despite severe weather delays that resulted in a ridiculous 24 plus hours of travel time from London to Orlando and some illness in the form of head colds for some and a doctor visit for pink eye for another, and a much colder than anticipated start to our Floridian winter getaway (my, this list is getting lengthy!), we had a great time in Florida. Scott's mom and step-dad moved there a few months ago, and so we built a fun family holiday around a visit to see them. We had a great time staying with them in their new home in a little slice of orange-scented, sun-kissed heaven in central Florida where year-round weekend decisions might be a toss-up between golf or beaches, Atlantic or gulf coast, take your pick! After enjoying garden tours, playtime on a white sandy beach and an outdoor BBQ in the middle of February I can really see why people retire to places like this. And I'm happy knowing Scott's mom and step-dad get to enjoy this new place they now call home.


Backyard BBQ and s'mores on our first day
















Enjoying an American delicacy! Grandma and Grandpa totally hooked up the kids with all their favourite American eats (and drinks)!






King of the marshmallows!




I love me a good burnt marshmallow!


Don't bother me, I'm eating a s'more






We're not in England anymore!

The next day they took us to the beautiful Bok Tower and Gardens. It is a beautiful attraction with an historic carillon bell tower and lush gardens. We enjoyed wandering throughout the extensive gardens, feeding the fish and listening to the carillon concert.























Then they took us to their favourite beach in St. Petersburg. Gorgeous white sand beaches surrounded by charming seaside cottages, sailboats and endless seafood restaurants. We even saw dolphins! The kids had a great day building sand castles and exploring up and down St. Pete's Beach. I personally enjoyed just soaking up as much Vitamin D as possible!





































Adventures at Walt Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to come . . .