Last Free Flight for Penn, Part I

I've been planning to take one last free flight with Penn (he turns two in June and then will require his own ticket...major bummer) and I decided to escape for a few days to see my brother, his wife and his two daughters with my littlest.  Penn didn't really get what was happening until we were in the airport and enjoying all the thrills of elevators, train rides and watching planes, trucks and carts operate outside.  We were flying on Wednesday which was a super rainy, wet day in every city I was headed towards (PIT to BWI to ECP).  Actually, the pan-handle of Florida was hit severely with rain, receiving an all-night storm that dropped 24 inches the prior night!  So of course, there were delays.  We were slightly delayed out of Pittsburgh (here's a quick pic of us waiting that one out)

and then again in Baltimore, but it wasn't that bad until we were on the tarmac at BWI and the pilot told us that we would have to sit there until some storms that were over top of us moved off.  Then we sat there for the next hour and a half (the flight itself is only 2 hours).  That was a bit of a bummer, but thankfully my overtired (no nap due to plane-time fun) slap happy pal, Penn, kept me laughing and distracted.  

We eventually made it to Florida and it was great to arrive (and a relief that my brother was able to drive to the airport as all the roads were closed due to flooding that morning).  It was a long day and rough start to the trip for Penn as he was very tired and disoriented by the time we made it to Phil's, but thankfully the next morning he woke up happy and rested and we've been having a blast ever since.

On Thursday, Penn and I just relaxed.  It was still on and off rain and cool for this time of year in Florida, so it made it easy to lounge around most of the morning (as evidenced by the snuggle picture on my bed).

Penn was thrilled to have little playmates here (and Eleanor just absolutely dotes on him), so it made him get comfortable so quickly.  He's not quite comfortable yet in this pic, but Eleanor sure is!  

Pretty much right after breakfast once he got to explore toys and play amidst his cousins he was completely at home.  I had to share this otherwise not so great pic because Eleanor is cracking herself up!

They did a great job sharing and playing well together.  They even had some artistic time together at the easel.

Later in the morning when I thought the rain seemed to be tapering off I attempted to take Penn over to the beach in Destin for maybe some digging time and a little walk before lunch.  Our plans were firmly shut down though when the heavens opened up with yet another deluge.  We turned around and parked Phil's truck and waited the downpour out.  Penn didn't mind, he got to hang in the driver's seat and pretend to drive.

We went back inside for more playtime with Eleanor and Elizabeth, then lunch and on to naptime.  During naptime the weather cleared up a lot and although it was still cool and overcast, I was able to take a long, much-needed walk and then after nap Penn and Eleanor and Elizabeth played all evening on the big covered deck out back.  I just love this view (and was also very encouraged by the sunshine!).

Phil got home a little earlier than expected and so he was around post-nap too.  I love being with my big brother (slight family resemblance in the picture below)!!

Little buddies, Elizabeth and Penn.

A few little sharing issues with the two younger ones.

But not at all with Eleanor and Penn, they are being so sweet with one another and Eleanor just loves him.  They developed a fun "share and switch" game with the tricycle.  One of them rides, the other pushes from one end of the porch to the other and then they switch and then they do it over and over and over...

They even ended up in the bath together that night which was super cute to see.  Penn is used to bath company, but loved playing with Eleanor's fun bath toys. 

Friday I was pleasantly surprised with Penn sleeping in (still catching up from Wednesday I believe) and I totally slept in with him.  As a mom of 3, getting away with just one of your kids is definitely a vacation from the usual routine!  Not being at your own home to maintain is as well.  Eleanor and Elizabeth slept in a bit too, so we were all pretty happy and rested this morning.  The kids got right to playtime after breakfast.  It was still cool Wednesday AM, but thankfully no rain, so we headed out to the back deck.  Phil took a day off of work to be around with us (yay!) and he decided to take one of his huge model airplanes for a flight over the bayou.  Penn was intrigued.

Now this is a boy with his toys!  Puts the Legos and puzzles and K'nex and everything else littered around my little boys' rooms into perspective.  Ha!

An attempt at a picture of Penn and Elizabeth posed on some steps.  Didn't go exactly as planned.

Later in the morning, Penn and I went on an errand with Phil.  Although Penn started out a little shy of Phil, this morning he had completely warmed up (including giving snuggles, hugs and then wanting to walk holding hands!).

After more playtime with cousins, lunchtime, a little more play and nap (when Mommy got to take a long walk and then catch up on computer time including this blog post), it was time for a new adventure for Penn.  Kayaking!  I was curious if he was going to be completely scared of the tippy boat, how close you are to the water, the inevitable wet bottom you get, etc.  Well, have no fear, Penn loves kayaking.  Phil took some pictures from the dock as we took off on our little excursion.  First impressions...pretty chill and relaxed at the bow.

Even smiling for the camera!

Here we go!  I think Penn is wondering if Uncle Phil is the paparazzi.  

A little swing by the dock for smiles at Uncle Phil.

Then we continued on and probably stayed out for 20 or 30 minutes.  He loved watching the pelicans and other birds flying over the water fishing for their dinner.  There was a small digger working a few docks away from Phil's, so we paddled past that job several times.  And Penn just loves watching jet skis and motorboats whiz by.  He loved it and never asked to go in, but I felt bad he was getting pretty soaked and it was nearing dinnertime, so we headed in.  When we got back up to the porch Leah had the girls in the hot tub, so Penn and I decided to join them.  Unfortunately no pictures of the adorable three cousins in the hot tub (hopefully we'll have another chance for that as they all loved it!).  Well, a great start to our lovely little getaway with family, taking advantage of Penn's final opportunity to fly for free.  Stay tuned for upcoming posts as we finish our stay in Florida!