Spring Break at Daytona Beach - Days 3 & 4

Good morning!  Mister and I have decided to get up and watch the sunrise.  It's a new day and I want to see it from start to finish.  Behind us, the moon is still visible between the buildings and the tide is just now coming in.  Enjoy.

On our way back up to the house, we spot several crab holes that have indeed had some comings and goings in the past bit.

Family is awake shortly and also enjoying the moment.  (There is also still construction work going on and boys love to watch that.  They are laying some sort of ground cover.)

I get to sit and visit with these choice people for awhile.  Can you tell that my heart is happy?

Perhaps this one is better for that -- surely not for light though.

Grandpa has brought some cars that have to be put together as an activity.  He soon has everyone around him and happily creating.

The car building with Grandpa goes on for quite awhile and they start to amass quite a few.  The boys are in awe of how meticulous their grandfather is.  He just does such a good job on the ones he does.

While everyone else gets ready for the next event, Malea and I take a few minutes to sit and read.

The decision has been made to go down to the boardwalk for awhile.  I have my fingers crossed that it is like the one in Galveston.  Let's go.

As we arrive, everyone heads into some t-shirt shops but I spot a taffy shop.  Oh yum.

After finding Elena, I take her back to the shop with me.

Inside, they offer her a sample and she gets to choose.  I let her know that we will stop and get some taffy before we go back home.  The car is near us so we have to return this way and that makes it easy.

Raef has joined us so Grandpa and I let him and Elena help with some of our pictures.

Yes, have fun.

Okay, everyone else is finally heading this way.  Let's get down now.

The boardwalk is not quite the same as Galveston in that it is simply walking in front of a lot of hotels and condos.  There was one small area with rides but all closed down.

Let's go grab some lunch at the pier we passed when we first started walking.  Joe's Crab Shack.

Shortly after we sit down, the music comes on loud and the employees sing and dance.  The kids love it and a few moments later balloon artists arrive.  Everyone needs a balloon and that means that they are at our table for quite awhile.  I guess that's a great way to wait for your food.

The first one finished is Malea's flower.  Smile pretty now.

Raef with his crab.

Oops the food has arrived.  Rhiana and Kasey all bibbed up for their meal.

By the time the food is placed down, Rhiana's bib is already off.  Hahahaha.

My food.  Goodness.  There is enough coconut shrimp here for three people.

Elena and Caleb's balloons are finished.

As is Ryan's

Amanda has started in on her meal, but also sent Raef to get her a balloon as well.  TA-DA

And, of course, a group shot.

We also get a group shot of everyone together.  Thanks to our nice waitress, Ariel.

In addition to the balloons, coloring pages and crayons are also available.  Both Caleb and Raef have taken advantage of this.

Raef asks if it is possible to get his posted on the wall and I tell him that we will check on it before leaving.

After dinner, I find a staff member to help him do just that.  He then proclaims that this is the "best restaurant".

As we prepare to leave, the kids still have ice cream coming, but we opt to take it to go.  Caleb settles into a booth near the kitchen door to wait for it.  And it takes a LONG time.

Finally, we are off.  It's back to the house for us.  Beach time awaits and we ate so much for lunch that no one will need a big dinner.

We put the cameras away and just enjoyed the rest of the day.

Friday - It's a new day.  Elena declares that Grandpa needs his hair done and he obliges as always.

Playing while waiting on parents to dress is always fun to catch.  You determine which picture is getting along better.

Today's morning adventurous day starts out with miniature golf.  We are off to a fantastic start as Amanda gets a hole-in-one.

Watching the little ones give it a go is such fun.

Especially when they get a hole-in-one too.

Are we having fun?

After 18 rounds, they are ready to go.  Into the stocks that is.

As we are leaving Mister and I spot a squirrel thoroughly enjoying a huge hibiscus flower.  Fun.

Alright.  Let's head for the beach.  Grandpa goes down ahead of everyone else and even manages to round them up for a picture or two.

Well, at least most of them.  One objected.

My sweet man has rented beach chairs for today and tomorrow so I am down at the beach too.  I can stay out of the sun and not sit on the ground, which just isn't as comfortable as it used to be.  Let the sandcastle building commence.

Everyone helps in their own way

And soon they have a great castle complete with walls and lookout points.

Grandpa and Elena -- before and after.

She loves going out into the water with him, but as I said before, the water is pretty cold.  It requires lots of warming up after.


Toes in the sand

Amanda and I have had just the best time laying here watching and talking.  I'm a happy mommy.

Speaking of

It's almost time to go as we have a busy evening planned, but a few more pictures.

Okay that's it --- we need to get changed and head for the dog races.  Grandpa has a sister that rescues greyhounds so he is sitting this one out.  I'm representing.  We arrive just as the races are starting and the kids get to quickly pick a dog.  No one wins but we take some time to learn the book and I give them each 2 bucks to bet on a dog.  Three choose number 3 and the other two have different selections.  At this point, the dogs come by for viewing.  Now, I know that real aficionados wait until this point to make their selection, but what the heck do we know?

And they're off.

Come on, come on, come on.  Guess what?  Number 3 wins.  The three that bet on him each win 16 bucks.  Wow.

They then discover that if they want to keep betting, they have to pay for it with their winnings.  What?  That's not right.  Hahaha.  It takes a couple more races and they have stopped betting.  Malea has won 14 bucks on her dog but Caleb just can't pick a winner for anything.  Finally Amanda tells Kasey to bet 2 bucks on each dog.  Caleb will win something for sure.

It's a fun family night in which Rhiana keeps everyone well stocked with snacks.

My pretties and their littles - one all girls, the other all boys.

As is gets later and the kids are officially bored, Malea finds a stage and takes it upon herself to entertain the crowd by singing.  It's just oh so funny and I wish I'd taken a video.

It's late.  Time to head home and put these kids to bed.  Grandpa has been boiling eggs for Easter tomorrow and everyone is ready for some sleep.  Until tomorrow . . .