Wallamble

Eli had the kindergarten Spring Flight on Friday night. Much to Lachie’s delight Kindergarteners and their families were invited.

We were all looking smooth and ready to welcome Spring with the best of them!

Lachie entertained the parents while the Kindergartners were off preparing…

There was the all important grand entrance…

Eli had a ball dancing with her friends…(and Lachie waited somewhat pateintly for his turn)

But it was Lachie who really tore up the dance floor and kept the parents entertainted 🙂

Snack-time…

Then the good-byes to all the girls on the way out!

We all had a great night 🙂

For our final day, it was spent enjoying St Pete Beach…

A morning walk…
(we saw the beach – it was the calm before the storm of people!)

Breakfast…
(the meal of champions!)

The dash back to the hotel for swimmers…

Many visits to the beach…
(which was hopping with people and activities)

Eli saved the boat and Mermaid from floating out to sea time after time after time…

Lunch Florida-Style…

After which there was more beach time followed by a little pool time…

Crossed the stunning Tampa Bay bridge before reaching our final hotel at Tampa airport and the next mornings early early departure

Another beautiful Florida day 🙂

Today we drove from Sanibel Island up to St Pete Beach:

First stop Fort Lee’s Manatee Park. Poor mum – the manatee’s are in hiding 😦
(we did however see snakes, lizards, butterflies, fish and a crab)

Then to Myakka River State Park for the Canopy walk
(where we saw even more alligators – there is no shortage of alligators in Florida!)

A little drive through Sarasota for dad’s trip through memory lane and lunch at who-can-resist Buffalo Wild Wings.

A detour to St Petersburg to see the Dali exhibition (which Eli loved and won her mum’s heart!)

Before heading to our next beach hotel. Another fun day 🙂

The plan: A nice relaxing day on the beach on Sanibel Island.

The Execution:

We headed out (not too early – 9am?) To the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge…
(we saw crabs, fish, birds, alligators, a bird flying carring a fish and a snake)

Then we went to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum…

Before lunch on the run to a Sealife Encounter Cruise…

Back to the hotel for a little quiet time, before heading to the opposite end of the island to the Bubble Room for dinner…

We completed the day with a quick walk around Captiva

…and a little shell collecting at sunset on the beach 🙂

The mission was to avoid the heat and see an alligator. Mission accomplished…mostly:)

Today we were driving from Miami Beach to Sanibel Island:

The first stop was an amazing two hour tram ride in the Everglades along Skark Valley Loop Road. We saw alligators and a snake and alligators and turtles and alligators and birds and alligators. It was excellent.

There was a tower at the midway point with an awesome view of the Everglades…

Next we stopped at the Big Cypress National Preserve Welcome Center. We were hopeing to see a Manatee but had no luck unfortunately.

Then on to lunch at the Oyster House in Everglades City. There 3 of us tried alligator – the less common white meat.

Before taking an airboat ride at Wooten’s. Unfortunately we didn’t see any alligaotors (just one in the zoo at the entrance). We had both fun and scary moments zipping around the swamp.

Before checking in to our hotel. A quick walk around the hotel found us loads of lizards and a snake, and so Lachie was happy with our choice.
Finally we headed to the Island Cow for a very yummy dinner and games.

The day started with breakky in South Beach…

A walk around enjoying the sand and art deco at South Beach…

and then hanging out alternating between the hotel pool and the beach. We’re loving this beautiful weather 🙂