What are you supposed to do when you’re on maternity leave with two kids and a newborn at your parents’ house in Florida in the middle of January? Go to the beach or the mall every day, of course! We’re officially beach bums and mall rats. It’s ridiculous. But it’s awesome!!!
We started last week off at my Happy Place, Anna Maria Island. Then, a few days later we went to the beach at Fort DeSoto Park. The beach was just as beautiful with white sand and calm, turquoise blue waters.
My parents go there all the time for the bike trails and the fishing areas. They brought their beach tent so we could lounge or nap (or eat burgers) as we pleased.
On the gloomy or not-so-hot days we chill at the mall just to get out of the house. I feel like a teenager again! Except instead of getting crazy around the mall with my girlfriends, I’m getting nauseous around carousel with my kiddos.
Even Alyssa is a baby mall mouse. No stroller for this little diva! She likes to be toted around in a wrap or sling. I’m new to this babywearing thing, but so far it’s working out great!
My mom is loves wearing her in the sling, too:
We’ve definitely earned our “mall rat” status. So far we’ve been to Brandon Mall, International Plaza, Ellenton Premium Outlets, and the newest one, the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.
The malls here are very nice, although I wish my bank account was fat enough so I could fully take advantage of all they have to offer! I swear, I’m not a shoppaholic. We just like to walk around and window shop…and eat.
And occasionally wear lampshades on our head. LOL
So that’s what we do the majority of the time here in Florida. Beaches and malls. Malls and beaches. Occasionally, we throw in a day where we exercise or golf, or learn a thing or two at the children’s museum, zoo, or aquarium…but mostly malls and beaches. Weeeeeeeeee! Love it!
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Ain’t nothin wrong with that! And so it goes…
Well, I guess that’s completely normal and AWESOME. During my long vacation last month, we go to the mall every other day just chilling at either Starbucks or other coffee shops!! No beaches though, which I kinda regret.. just swimming pool but it doesn’t compare to the beach. Beaches are quite far from our house in my hometown. The last time we went was October 2013. Hmmff. I realize I miss going there so I have to schedule a beach trip certainly this year, not forgetting that my word is #ENJOY! LOL.
I heard that the beaches are beautiful in the Philippines! Definitely something to #ENJOY and look forward to in 2015!
Well yay for mall rats! I love going to malls and checking stuff out even if I do not buy a lot. The beach is also one of my favorite places to be. Glad you are getting to spend time with your family and enjoying it all!
Raquel recently posted…The Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show
Its definitely lots of fun, quality family time here in Florida and inexpensive, too! A few more weeks here then back to work and cold weather…sigh
I LOVE the photo of everyone in the tent! What a great capture for your memory! It sounds like a wonderful time is being had by all! I didn’t know the water was so pretty there!
shelly recently posted…Create Play Learn
That tent photo was curteosy of the selfie stick! Its such a silly gadget but soooo awesome at the same time. My dad bought us all one for Christmas 🙂
Beach bumming and window shopping= happiness!
Your family {and I mean EVERYONE} is, beautiful.
I love that Arielle wears a tiara. 🙂
BUT baby boy is getting SO BIG… where is time going?
I love the photo of him and your dad.
XOXO
Mrs.AOK recently posted…Mommy Monday #BlogHop {82}
She thinks she’s a real princess, but when people at the mall were greeting her with, “Oh hello, Princess!!!” she got freaked out and took it off. LOL Looks like tomorrow is going to be a beach day 🙂
I’m going to bet anything that when your mom wears Alyssa in the sling, NO ONE thinks she’s a grandmother. Right?
Everyone looks lovely and refreshed! We’re very excited to get to Florida tomorrow. The ice here is very upsetting.
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How do you look so good right after having a baby?! I’m ashamed to say that I rarely go to the beach. It’s only 30 minutes away too. I do go to the mall every now and then since it’s only a mile from my house 🙂
Herchel S recently posted…Cake
Breastfeeding is my post partum weightloss plan. Works every time! You should take advantage of the beach if its so close, at least do it for the freezing midwesterners!!
you look amazing! i love the idea of bringing a beach tent. i have to do that next time.
catherine gacad recently posted…Pictures from the Petting Zoo
Thank you! I would totally get a beach tent of my own if i lived close to a beach.
You are one gorgeous, mama! That looks like the perfect way to spend your maternity leave. PS: Gotta love the selfie stick 😀
Maureen recently posted…Bukan Pilihan
Thanks, Maureen! Whoever invented the selfie stick is a genius! My dad got one for me and my sis this year for Christmas!