Ponte Vedra: Marine Estuary

Part of the beauty of Ponte Vedra is that it's a more of an untouched, rugged beach than what we're used to. Most evenings after dinner we journeyed back for short walks in the sand or a late swim. It's not touristy or over populated with kid attractions. But, that's why we enjoy this beach so much to truly relax.

 We explored the.Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve....a protected habitat home to many rare species of birds and mammals on this evening. The kids loved the decking that allowed us to view the dunes from a lookout point way up high. Much too high for my comfort as the railings weren't kid friendly & I'm sure not up to any kind of code:) I was a little unsettled with rambunctious kiddos up on top of the highest point.

 

Of course, our farewell jaunt at the beach turned into an impromptu chance for more brother sister photos.

 

We felt stranded from a shipwreck like Gilligan's Island at the estuary. We're not used to undeveloped land and untouched rolling dunes.  The grasses were gorgeous lining the shore. I just stood in awe taking it all in. Desolate with no buildings....nothing as far as the eye could see.

 

Don't let this tender moment fool you. Eliza Kate got lots of pleasure from pulling on her big brother's ear. He loved it of course. As their age gap is narrowing, I catch them acting playful and engaging in little teasing games {all in good fun} more often.

 

We handed off the camera to Miller man. He likes to try his hand behind the lens here and there. As long as the strap is around his neck, I let him give it a go. He's so proud of himself with this grown up job.

Farewell to the sandy beaches of Ponte Vedra. Blessed to call you home for a few days! We came home in a better mood and more relaxed from your beauty.

Ponte Vedra: Beach Pictures

 

A big shout out to my family who so willingly {smile} jumped at the chance to take beach pictures for their beloved mom. In all seriousness, they know my love language happens to be my annual Shutterfly Christmas book of our year. It's all for the sake of captured memories ya know? That's how I talk my crew into their smiley best. Landon wanted to {get the pictures over with} at the beginning of the week so he could fully enjoy his vacation---can anyone relate? Or is it just my family that sighs when I pack the camera.

 

You would never know that Eliza Kate had an all out fit about sitting in the sand...we're talking apocolyptic tantrum involving a red blotchy mess on her face. Isn't that how it always works? She clearly doesn't care about her momma's love language.


But, Miller man knows. He's learned to smile & get  all the hoopla over with in a hurry:)

And, husband knows that if he gets it over with...then he's filled my love tank for the day.  Big husband points for putting on his game face. One big happy family, right?

This is how most of them turned out. Miller is my tickling prop to get EK to smile. He's got this picture thing down. And maybe just maybe had fun in the process.

It helps to know that they do love eachother. That's what really fills up this momma's love tank.

 

 

 

 

 Take me back!!

Ponte Vedra: The Tide Pool

Nothing like the entertainment value of a tide pool to provide hours of early morning entertainment for my beach babes. Who knew 4-5 inches of pooled water could give them unbridled  joy? .. Laugh out loud, full belly giggles on this morning trip.

Mooshy, gushy sand is the best kind to play with. Eliza Kate discovered the joys of the large beach shovel. Her play is really like work to her. Every new adventure becomes an educational experience to a toddler.

Water lounging is best enjoyed in the tide pool. We all layed around in the pooled water together. One things for sure, we enjoyed extended periods of togetherness at the beach. Whether it was laughing until our sides ached or battling a terrible twos tantrum...it was togetherness.

EK busted out some butterfly stretching moves. Looks like a little yoga baby to me.

Running and jumping games were also played between these two. It doesn't take much to make them happy:)

 Our beach gymnast rolled a lot too. Nothing like the sand the sticks to every roll and collects as a gift in her swim diaper. She was covered head to toe.

We enjoyed some girl time as our men blew off some steam on a beach jog. Our goal each day was to wear em' out before long naps back at the condo.

They came running back {all sweaty headed} like boys. EK is like a lost, lonely puppy without her big brother pest side kick. She really does depend on him to keep her busy. He had plenty of entertaining tricks to keep her going when he returned. The pink sand buckets were repurposed into fancy party hats.  Pretty clever.

And, sported proudly for the camera:)

These two keep me on my toes even on vacation. I took an afternoon nap after this adventure.

Ponte Vedra: Day Trip {St. Augustine}

We drove {out of town} for a little afternoon jaunt in St. Augustine. Ponte Vedra is more of a desolate, relaxing beach so you have to drive a little ways to find fun things to do for kids. The Alligator Farm is always a family favorite.

We arrived when these large, scary reptiles were sunning themselves in the afternoon sun. Only a thin layer of viewing glass seperated the princess from the treachorous waters that lurked just below deck.

See what I mean?

Miller was totally into it with his daddy shades tucked oh-so-cool in his shirt. Gotta love his five year old ideas for fashion.

We paused in the zoo for frequent rests & water breaks. I almost suffered from heat stroke.

The zoological park wasn't just about gators. There were other things to enjoy like albino alligators, talking parrots, a Galapagos tortoise..{huge}, vultures, cranes, and monkeys.

and...a sweet little girl pretending to be a stork..ha!

In true Landon fashion, he was craazy and I had to reign him in. Lots of drama with my men to juggle. It can be exhausting  funny. He did command the attention of the crowd. Little preschoolers weren't sure if they should laugh or cry.

He gets a lot of his acting material from his daddy. They are two peas in a pod with their shenanigans. Miller was having fun playing inside the shellacked reptile with extra sharp teeth.

We walked the trail with the unforgiving sun beating down on us. EK was really into feeding the alligator "brown cereal" as she called it. One by one she threw each smelly treat to the swarms of gators below.

  This left a hyperventilating mama to pester Landon about his grasp on the missy.  Nightmares from the snapping jaws , I tell you. Miller was in gator heaven. It was a show.

We got to view a Maximo gator. It was a whooping 15 ft. 9 inches. Wouldn't want to run into that beast in a canal.

Miller and Eliza Kate touched a pretty tame snake..woo hoo!

After a couple of hours, it was time to locate a little AC and food. But, not before the gift shop:) Isn't that how these venues always lead you? Miller picked out a Crocodile chomper in true boy fashion. After trying to convince Eliza Kate that she'd love a flamingo purse, she chose a poodle purse with great excitement. It was over the top darling, but had nothing to do with the theme of our day trip.  We do choose our battles in our terrific twos.

Then Landon spontaneously hopped in the{ let's show off our sussy's} to Grandmama picture. This is when I realized he walked away with a little swag. How did I miss out on this gifting opportunity?

Santa Maria's was where we capped off the evening. It's a St. Augustine favorite because they have trap doors at each table to throw bread down to the catfish below. Since Eliza Kate was in her carseat carrier last trip, this was her first time to feed the fish. Nothing like a before dinner activity to pass the time. Miller loved being the door keeper. Such an alpha male taking initiative to be bossy at certain responsibilities.

 

Landon didn't escape a friendly bite after all...pinching games were our after dinner entertainment. I think we all got an unexpected surprise from Miller's souvenir.

Ponte Vedra: Up & At Em!

We like our early morning trips to the beach too..As soon as breakfast is served and sunscreen is generously slathered from head to toe, we're out the door.  Micker Beach is where we set up camp every morning. I think it's the only way to enjoy the sand before the late afternoon sweltering heat sets in. There is no lack of humidity in south Florida .A morning snack is best enjoyed with your brother in a beach chair. Nothing like the view of the ocean to keep you company.

 Eliza Kate's "hi mom" wave is funny to me. She turned the sand castle bucket into her popcorn bin. I'll give her points for creativity. I cringed a little, but dusted it out and she was good to go. She didn't let mommy's lack of zip lock bag packing ruin her beach going experience.

Miller showed her all kinds of sand slingin' tricks into the foamy waves.  I relaxed my no sand throwing rule once I saw all the giggles this game created.

One thing I love about Ponte Vedra is the compact sand for miles. At low tide, it's the perfect runway for brother sister chasing games.

They invented a game together where the challenge was to not let the incoming tide touch their toes. Screaming and shrilling could be heard from my babes up and down the shore. We pretty much owned the beach during these early morning hours.

Eliza Kate was a trip to watch.

Sand digging also passed the time. Miller is a champ at keeping himself busy with self invented activities. If only, I could magically keep these two from fighting over toys. We're still working on that one...

She was content to fill up the dump truck to the delivery sight. I even grabbed a chair to relax. I steal a moment..just a moment here and there. It's glorious!

Three cheers for a hands on dad. He likes to play in the sand as much as the littles. I'm pretty certain this was the opportunity I should have taken to slather more lotion on daddy's back. I feel guilty when he gets burned from my lack of reminders...His shoulder's were a light shade of pink after this morning trip.

We called it a day. But, not before a mini splash in the pool before naps. EK was my pink raft companion. I was feeling lonely, so I'm glad she bobbed my way. Gotta love the beach life.