I decided to let the kids plan our vacation. I gave them a complete control of our destination, budget and activities. We spent several days researching hotels, condos and destinations. Immediately we realized we needed to find a good deal on a Condo so we could cook our own food, because, eating out with a family of 7 is expensive. For the adventures they wanted to go caving, hiking and go to the beach. Since we don't live anywhere near California this was a tall order. After some research we found the caves in Mariana, FL (where my mom has an aquaponic farm). Willy works with a man who has a beach house in Cape San Blas, FL. He offered us the beach house for the price of the cleaning fee and utilities. Because Mariana is about 2.5 hours away from the beach that we are going to we are breaking our vacation into two parts. The first part we will be going down to the beach to go shark fishing (and put them back) and go hiking. The second half will be after we get back home. We will travel over to my moms farm, take a tour of the farm and then go caving. So far, we are well within our budget thanks for the generosity of our friends, and crashing at my moms house.
The biggest problem we have had to deal with is there is no grocery store in Cape San Blas. There are also no restaurants. So I have been meal planning, cooking and freezing meals. MY FEET HURT SO FREAKING BAD AND I NEVER WANT TO COOK AGAIN! I have made 4 soups, gluten free pumpkin waffles, 1 quiche, chicken fajitas and 2 baked meals. I have oatmeal, snacks coming out my ears.
I spent the day doing laundry (read - hating life) and realized a family of 7 only has 6 beds... why do we have 90 different bed sheets and thousands of towels?!?! Something needs to be scaled down here. Anyways, back to my boring laundry. I pack each kid one at a time. We are going to be gone for 5 days and 4 nights. I have a general rule that the 6 of us (I don't pack Willy Sr's stuff) need to fit everything into our one, slightly large, suitcase. Then it's large Tupperware totes for snacks, food, toiletries and diapers. This trip we are also bringing 2 coolers, fishing poles, towels, crab nets and two bikes. I am only bringing the bikes for Willy Jr., and Lisa because training wheels don't work well on dirt paths so the other kids will have to suffer, or walk.
The kids are only bringing one shoe, their Keens. Keens are awesome shoes for kids because they virtually can not be destroyed. I always find mine used to save on the price because they are expensive. The weather will be chilly at night so they will also have socks to wear with Keens, which isn't the best look but, whatevs' were on vacation.
My sister wants me to point out that I still have more organizing to do and that this blog post should really be about my ability to procrastinate. Also, how awesome of an aunt she is.
Since I do have more to do I'm out. Wish me luck on surviving a week at the beach with a baby. Also, wish the kids luck on not over spending on our budget.
UGH
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