We headed to Florida for Lucas’s spring break and we came back exhausted and happy. I celebrated countless Easter holidays with family in Clearwater as a child and this was the first time the babies and I spent Easter together in the Sunshine State and it felt amazing to continue this tradition with them. Ivan was able to leave work for a few days and join us for part of the trip (including Easter) and both the kids and I were over the moon. We spent our days playing in the backyard (I got to enjoy my morning coffee on the deck and man that was amazingggg), spending time on the beach, and overall just taking it easy. Lucas colored, Lillie destroyed things, we explored local parks…pretty much the perfect little getaway. After leaving not so Spring like temps in NYC it was wonderful to come home to lovely weather. Anywho, these are a few of my favorite snaps from our vacation. More memories made with my loves..there is nothing better!
Last week the kids and I headed to Clearwater for Lucas’s spring break. My mama came with us and honestly it was such a relief knowing I was going to have an (amazing) extra pair of hands. Lucas went ahead with my mom and I flew out the next next day with Lillie. Alone. For the first time. I’ll say this – Lucas has been a champ flyer from day one. He snoozes most of the flight and has always been perfectly content either on my lap or now that he is older, playing games and watching movies. He has never cried on a flight. NOT ONCE. No way I could be that lucky twice. Right? Yea, NO. Lillie cried for a solid 20-25 minutes on our packed flight and I was that mom, awckawardly smiling at blank stares (and some pitty stares) and frantically hushing her baby. 25 minutes is a loooooong time when your trapped on an aircraft like sardines. I walked her up and down the aisle and nursed her until she finally passed out from exhaustion. At that point I was sweating, equally as exhausted, and to be honest all I wanted to do was sit down, put in my ear buds, and listen to some Drake. Can a mama live? I really wish I could say I was calmer and gave zero f’s what everyone else was thinking but when you’re in the moment it’s really a bit nerve wrecking and anxiety inducing. Anyways, an hour later and we were in sunny Florida!
These are a few of my favorite snaps from the trip. We really had such an amazing time and it was such a treat to be with Lucas for an entire week and get some much needed one on one time with him. If you haven’t been, Clearwater is such a beautiful, beautiful place to visit. I have been coming here since I was Lillie’s age on family vacations to visit my aunties. It’s a second home for me and such a comforting, safe space. It’s familiar, calming, and just what I need a couple times a year for a pick me up and when I need to get out of NYC. Lucas has come to love it as well and I can’t wait to continue our yearly tradition with both kiddos.
We’re in Florida! Again! Can you tell we really love it here? We arrived Tuesday morning and were greeted by a house decked out in Christmas decor. My aunties know how to do the holidays right! Lucas is loving every bow, wreath, and blinking light. It has been such a pleasure relaxing on the back deck with just a light sweater and taking in all the sunshine. Sorry NYC. We all needed a break from the cold. Oh. Those wreath photos above? I woke up with this idea that I just knew would be perfect. Lucas poking his head out of a giant wreath? Adorable! Wrong. Total fail (especially the part where he flung the wreath across the grass..) but either way the photos still make me smile. We still have another week in the sunshine. Another week of thrifting, relaxing, more relaxing, and family time. The best. Happy Holidays from Clearwater!
I’m a lucky girl. Florida means family for me. And this lady is my long distance sister. And those adorable boys of hers? They are my world. We talk on the phone. We face time. A LOT (oh hey husbands, sorry about that ;). But there’s nothing like seeing those beautiful faces in the flesh. We got to spend one glorious day together sharing lots of laughs and piña coladas. It was also the first time our significant others got to meet and it just solidified everything in a way. Does that make sense? I hope so. Either way, I’m missing my babes but I treasure the memories we got to create and I can’t wait to see my clan again in just 4 short months. Hip hip to magical friendships.
^^Thanks Mom. For the photo and the thumb print ;)^^
I’m torn. I am missing this beach and that pool something fierce. However it has been such a pleasure sleeping with the windows open the last few nights and feeling the cool breeze fill the room. I not so secretly adore NYC Fall! Autumn lovings aside, we had the best 10 days filled with hot Florida sun and lots and lots of time spent by the water. There is something about the beach that fills my soul with an overwhelming sense of calm and peace. Clearwater, we will back before you know it.
Clearwater, Florida. You have my heart forever. I have been traveling down to the Sunshine state to visit my aunties since I was a baby and Lucas has followed suit. We spent the last 10 days soaking in lots of family time, backyard hangs, and endless hours sans shoes and pants. What’s better than a toddler running around with a garden hose and thinking it’s the best thing ever? Not much I tell you. We all had such a wonderful time and it was a much needed break from reality. I apologize in advance for the photo dumps coming your way this week. We were greeted at the airport by a familiar crisp breeze and it looks like Fall will be arriving right on time. Summer you were so good to us and you will be missed. Now bring on the pumpkin spiced lattes!
For the past few weeks I’ve been blabbing away about how much I can’t wait for Fall. It is my favorite season after all. Ironically enough on the first day of Fall we were in Florida, embracing the heat. If you follow me on Instagram you know that Lucas and I flew down south to spend a week with my lady Lauren and her boys.
On Friday we took Lucas to the pier on Clearwater beach to play and burn some energy. The parks are filled with sand and are fantastic (especially now that he actually enjoys the sand ;). He loved the slides and of course following the big kids around. We took a walk to the water and watched the passerby’s and seagulls. Maybe they remind him of the pigeons back home! NYC we sorta miss you. Sorta. I thought that his Of One Sea tee would be absolutely perfect for a quick trip to the shore. The inspiration behind this amazing brand is the simplicity and beauty of nature. When I’m surrounded by water, that is when I am the most at peace. It seems to me that Lucas is following in his mamas footsteps.
Lucas and I are currently soaking up the sun in sunny Florida and visiting my aunties. I’ve been coming here since I was six months old. Lucas’s first trip down south was also when he was just six months. I guess you can say it’s a tradition of sorts. We’ve only been here 3 days but little man already knows the backyard like the back of his hand. All the small nooks, where to hide his treasures, and singing as he follows the trail to the shed. It’s quite a site to see him playing in the yard I explored as a young girl. Today we took a trip to Clearwater beach. My most favorite of all the beaches in the world. I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about how Lucas loathes sand. Well today was a big day for us. Off he went, barefoot and loving it! Talk about an exciting mommy moment. Now – pictures!
