As mentioned earlier we decided to drive. We rented a van, so we didn't have to put miles on ours. Some highlights:
-Jason got pulled over just a few hours into our drive. Megan laughed at the police officer so he gave her and Brock separate tickets for not wearing seat belts.
-Maddie taking pictures in the back seat.
-seeing all the prettiness.
-Jason and I had great conversations with each other.
We got to Miami and got on the boat and we all scattered pretty quick. I thought we would all be together for when the boat took off, but we were not.
I was so glad to be with Jason and have someone to hang out with. It turned into a mini-vacation for us, as we were alone (just the 2 of us) more than we were with our kids.
As I was picking a cruise all the kids told me what was most important to them. Brock really wanted the surfing flow rider. So once we got on board, this was the first place we went.
I thought it looked pretty fun so I gave it a try. I can not tell you the thrill it was to be able to do something athletic and "cool" that my 17 year old son could not do.
He was cheering and proud of me, but admitted that he was hoping I wouldn't be able to get up either and was pretty upset when I did. He is a good trooper!
A few days into the cruise maddie gave it a try and did pretty good.
We decided to take this cruise more as 6 adults rather than 2 parents and 4 kids. The kids stayed in a room together (interior) and Jason and I had another room (balcony), we weren't right next to each other but down the hall and around the corner. Basically everyone did what every they wanted everyday and we met back together at dinner. On port days we did have to communicate because Jason and I had to facilitate the kids getting on and off the ports. I am glad we did it this way. It provided a really happy example of how our relationships and family can be as our children get older. Everyone had a really great time: both independently and as a family. I wish we could take another cruise soon and take it more as a family, where we do things together, but I don't regret what we did.
The thing that made it worth it was dinner. Coming together at the end of the day, everyone meeting there, coming on their own - us trusting they would show up and them showing up - eating a really nice meal (that everyone chose and I didn't make or clean up) and the BEST PART, everyone was not only willing, but excited to tell us about their day. They practically interrupted each other and fought over who got to go next. It was magical and I wish family dinners could be like that every night.
For example Noah won a medal at a video game contest
There were other restaurants also and we took turns eating at all of them for our other meals.
Breakfast with my hubby. Going on meal dates twice a day with this guy was so fun! It was great having our own little vacation.
Some pictures of the food
Our first port was the cruise owned island, Perfect Day Cocoa Kay. It was perfect first port for us because we felt completely safe and fine having our kids get off and do what ever they wanted without having to stay with us and check in.
Noah wanted to stay on the ship. Everyone else wanted to get off. Well, Jason didn't want to get off, but he did want to "check it out" and I really wanted him to come off with me and walk around the island and spend some time with me, we walked down this board walk and onto the sand and Jason turned to me and said, "Is this really important to you? I hate this, can I go back?" It was clear this wasn't for him. So he went back.
Maddie wanted to go off by herself and I have no idea what she did, so I couldn't take pictures, so I made her take one with me before she went off.
Brock found a beach volleyball game and played there the entire day.
Megan's main cruise goal was snorkeling. I wanted to take us on an excursion so we could be in a known good place and have some professional help. She didn't want to commit so many hours for something she might not like. So the plan was to try it ourselves first on the island and then if she liked it and wanted to do it more, we would do an excursion on the next port. The first beach we tried (that we were told would be great), was a total bust. So then we tried another beach and it was great. She saw a ton of fish, a turtle, a sunken ship, coral, etc. She was so excited when she came back and told me all about it.
I was so grateful to have Megan with me. She loved sitting on the beach and reading and I loved that she wanted to be there with me.
They had a yummy lunch and soft serve ice cream, so we were pretty happy and it went by way too fast.
Noah decided to come out in the afternoon and Megan decided to go back on the boat, so we did a swap. Noah wanted to also go off on his own, I believe he found a hammock and hung out there.
