Bryantown

We thought it would rain today so we were pleasantly suprised to have the sun out for most of the day.  We started with a walk down to South Marco Beach with Joey in the wagon.  People think he is just the cutest little thing in there.

After nap time we went out to the pool.  There was a couple there from Boston with their two kids, Joseph and Mario.  Once Joey got over being awed by them jumping in, he did some more swimming.  Suddenly, the weather turned - it was nearly 4 pm now - and a cool breeze came in off the ocean.

We went back upstairs and now Joey only wants to shower, no more bath.  It’s because the shower head comes down and he can hold it to “wash” the shower walls.  And now, apparently the wrestling matches are a nightly activity to wind up before bed time.  Those two are hilarious!

Quiet evening.  I made the recipe Daisy gave me for sauteed scallops with lemon beurre blanc sauce.  It was amazing!  Can’t wait to get back home and try it again with the bigger, fresh scallops. 

The rain started at about 6:30 pm.  Florida rain does not mess around!  It downpoured heavy rain for about 30 minutes, then it was gone.  There was a chair in the jacuzzi and leaves in the pool.  Still got to see a pretty nice sunset.

Another sunny day, a little cool but still around 60.  I told Joey we were going to the zoo and he said, “To Addie’s house!” (I think when his sisters take him to the zoo they leave from there since it’s close.)  We met up with Jennifer Deviley and her family there.  Joey, Kate and Jillian had a great time in the playground and feeding the birds.  They were really cute together. I’ll have to try to get some pictures from Jennifer when they get back to town.

Lunch at TGI Friday’s and then back to Marco Island.  Joey was exhausted and fell asleep after about 5 minutes in the car.  So he slept all the way back (about 40 min) and that was his only nap for the day.

We spent the afternoon bumming around the condo relaxing.  For dinner, we thought that we’d like to revisit the crab cakes from the Famous Fish restaurant where we ate the first night here so Joe called down for a take-out order.  When he got there to pick it up, they wanted $50!  They packaged 2 orders, each as a meal with potatoes and green beans - we really only wanted the crab cakes appetizer because they were so good.  Anyway, he only took one order so we did get to enjoy them along with the steak Joe grilled to perfection.

One of Joey’s favorite shows is super readers - all of the little characters get on their “Y-flyers” so now the airplane toy that he’s been riding here is his Y-flyer.

Beautiful sunset tonight.

Took a late run to the Winn-Dixie for chocolate chip ice cream.  When I got back, Joe was waiting with his spoon and Joey soon came around the corner out of the bedroom (it was 9:00 pm).  Joe asked him if he wanted ice cream and he said, “Oh, yeah!” and ran over to get up on his chair.  What a mess! Surprisingly he was asleep less than 30 minutes later.

We thought it was going to be raining today so we were pleasantly surprised to see the sun shining!  We started out with a walk down to South Marco Beach with Joey in his wagon.  People really think he is so cute riding in it.  He actually wore his sunglasses this time too.

After lunch and a nap, we even got out to the pool.  There was another couple there visiting from Boston with their two boys, Joseph and Mario.  Joey was mesmerized watching them jumping off the side of the pool to their mom.  Once he got over that, he did get some swimming done as well.  Then suddenly the weather changed and we could feel the cool breeze come in off the ocean.

Back up to the condo and now Joey does not want to take a bath anymore, just a shower.  It’s because the shower head comes down for him to hold and “wash” the walls. It’s great fun.

I made Daisy’s recipe for scallops with lemon beurre blanc sauce - it was amazing.  I can’t wait to get home and try it with the really big, fresh scallops.

The rain started at about 6:30 pm.  Florida rain does not mess around!  It came down really heavy for about 1/2 hour, then it was gone.  There was a chair in the jacuzzi and leaves in the pool.  We still got to see a pretty nice sunset.

Beautiful weather today - 75 and sunny.  We went back out to Tigertail Beach today.  This time we walked around to the ocean side.  It was beautiful out there.  The sand does have a lot of shell in it, though but not all over - mostly closer to the water. 

Just off the main beach is a little sandbar so it creates a little deeper water channel about 4 - 6 feet wide (depending on where you are and probably the tide state).  Joey and Joe got to see 4 sting rays swimming through that little channel.  A couple of little girls were trying to cross back to the beach from the sand bar and started screaming because they were startled.  Wildlife.

I got to see a 70-year-old man sunning himself in a white g-string.  Wildlife.

We came back for naptime after showers and lunch.  Joey rested quietly but decided he was not in the mood for a nap so we got our second suits on, sprayed on the sunblock and headed down to the pool.  It was SO nice and WARM! 

This time after his shower, and a popsicle, Joey fell asleep without even being told.  He was worn out!

After dinner, Joey was running back and forth on the couch, running into Joe, and we asked him what was wrong with his diaper (he had no clothes on, just the diaper).  It was hanging really low because of the running and it was wet.  He spread his stance a little so it would hang loosely then started swinging it back and forth saying “My poopie in there” and patted it to swing it again.  For the record, there was no poopie.

I mananged to get a sunburn on my back but Joey is fine. He actually wore his hat for the whole time at the beach.

We drove to Naples this morning to see the Naples Botanical Garden.  It was really beautiful even in the “winter” months - I can only imagine how much more flowering goes on in the heat of summer!  They have a “Children’s Garden” with climbing structures, bridges, a sand box and animal tracks in the sidewalks.  We had fun with Joey “tracking” the animals.  

In the “Butterfly Garden” Joey ran around chasing the butterflies.  We saw several different kinds but I can never remember all the names.  They keep a cocoon hatchery in the garden - basically a cabinet with screen doors with rows of cocoons that are all warm and protected, like an incubator, so the butterflies can hatch in safety.  The keeper opened the doors for us to look at them.  Two monarchs had just come out and were hanging there drying their wings - way cool.  Joey said, “Ooh, look at that!”  I did not know that monarch cocoons were so beautiful - almost like jewels with gold seams.

After nap time, we went back to Naples to check out the “Tin City” area. It’s on the waterfront at the north end of Naples Bay.  We ate there at Pincher’s Crab Shack.   Joe and I shared crab, Joey had a hamburger and our pot of baked beans - which he ate with the 3-tined little crab fork.  There is a boardwalk on the waterfront side and Joey loved watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.

Later we went out to Naples Pier at sunset.  The pier goes out into the ocean about 500 feet and Joey had a great time watching people fish from the pier.  This whole area is sort of the “Old Downtown Naples” and we think it is the best! It’s like uptown only updated and upgraded.  All the restaurants you could hope to eat at, with and without linen table cloths.

Another beautiful day - well, some clouds in the afternoon but at least it stayed warm.  We got into the pool this morning.  Joey had a good time throwing and catching his ball.  We got him to put the pool noodle under his arms and kick his feet like he was swimming. He didn’t go completely by himself but it looks like he remembers some stuff from swimming lessons! 

After a while we wrapped him up in some towels, put him on a lounge chair and got into the jacuzzi (it was a little hot for him but he was getting tired anyway).  He almost fell asleep on the chair next to the jacuzzi and when we got back upstairs he did fall asleep immediately.

Went to Mackle Park in the afternoon and while Joey was playing we got to listen to the big band concert in the park.  There were even people dancing.  Joey has gotten to be more independent about going around the play structures - he even went across the balance beam without holding Daddy’s hand.

After bath time and before bed, Joey and Joe had a major wrestling match on the bed.  Joey will run full out and jump on top of Joe.  It’s a lot of fun to watch.

Beautiful weather today!  We made a quick run to the grocery store for chocolate milk (the most important staple for this family) and then got our beach gear together.

We spent about 3 hours out at Tigertail Beach and it was fantastic!  We rented a cabana and beach chairs so Joey was able to play in the shade most of the time while Joe and I laid out in the sun.  Joe also got to take a nice long walk down the beach to where the Tigertail Beach meets the Gulf beach.  He said it was really beautiful but more wind out that way.  There were more people today but still not too crowded. Several people took out the big water trikes and some peddle boats - that was fun to watch.

Joey was pretty tired when we got back but we managed to get him showered before getting him into bed.  Not even a peep from him as he dropped right off to sleep. 

Later, I noticed Joe’s face was pretty red so I asked how he felt.  He thought the lotion he had put on earlier had sunscreen in it but apparently it did not. So he’s suffering from a little heat exhaustion and mild sun poisoning but I’ve gotten him some Gatorade, food and Tylenol and he seems to be better.

Pictures fromthe day…

At some point over the weekend in Atlanta, Joey figured out (or was told) what really happens at the beginning of Finding Nemo. Now when he watches, he’ll turn to us and say “Eat the babies” in a distressed voice and pout out his lower lip.

We went on a Manatee sight-seeing boat tour this morning with Captain Rick Varnes.  We took off from the marina at Port of the Islands resort in a small pontoon-like boat.  There were 5 of us so there was plenty of space available to walk around and see out the sides.  We saw several very large manatees in the waters. They stick their noses up, blow some air and then either dive or hover their bodies just below the surface.

After watching the manatees around us, we moved down the channel and found 2 or 3 dolphins hunting for fish.  They throw the little fish in the air and then catch them - just like at the zoo show!  They were all so close to the boat - Joey thought they were so cool.

Waiting in the next little inlet we went into was an alligator.  Yes, we actually saw an alligator “in the wild.”  He was just resting near the bank trying to catch some warmth. 

Capt. Rick let Joey drive the boat on the way back.  I thought the Captain would help but he just stood behind him and started drinking his coffee.  So, Joey just kept turning the wheel and got us turned directly toward the bank (I was freaking out a little).  The captain slowed the throttle, put it in reverse, got it straightened out again and did the same thing.  Just stood back and let Joey turn whichever way he wanted to.  Joe finally started helping a little and then as we got further in, let the captain back into his chair.  Quite the winding path back to the dock! But again, Joey had a blast!  Joey fell asleep in the car on the way back and took a 2 1/2 hour nap.

We got out for another walk down the beach.  We stopped at the bar Stilts and got a couple of drinks to enjoy on our walk back.  Joey needed something too so we got him a slushy from the beach vendor.  Apparently they have not sold any in the last few days since it’s been pretty cold so as we were leaving, the guy turned to his partner and chanted “I sold a slushy” - quite proud of himself.

Joey is chowing on a hotdog and a bagel while watching Nemo.  He is quite content.

We saw 4 dolphins this morning swimming about 20 feet off the pier in front of the dock below our patio.

Very relaxing day today.  I was a little more tired than usual so I got a nap at 10:30 and Joe took Joey with him to run around.  They went to the post office, the UPS store and somewhere else.

We’ve rented a wagon for the remainder of our stay and Joey is so tickled about it.  We took a walk out to South Marco Beach and then down the block a way.  Riding in the wagon is apparently a lot of fun.

One more evening trip to the Mackle park and then back to relax on the patio.