Amazing Mexico Trip!

We had the most amazing trip to Mexico and I have plenty of pictures to share. We are ready to head back any day now!! We stayed at an all-inclusive which turned out to be ideal with the kids. It was so convenient having everything we need in one spot and not having to leave to search for restaurants. The resort was on 42 acres of beautiful tropical forests. There were eco paths everywhere, 4 (or more) pools, various types of restaurants, wild animals galore, and a nice sandy beach. We could walk everywhere, but the times we were getting tired we could jump on one of these golf carts and they would take us to the beach or pool.

The beach was a little small, but it didn't bother us at all. The sand was so soft and the water was so calm and warm. It was perfect for the kids. We spent many days building sand castles, snorkeling, swimming, and floating around.

 We saw a ton of wild animals. Each afternoon, the macaws would be in the lobby of our hotel. There were about 8 of them we saw everyday. We also saw monkeys swinging through the trees, iguanas EVERYWHERE (even poolside), these rat/anteater looking things, coatimundi's, deer, the most colorful birds, flamingos, spiders (Mark's favorite), geckos, on and on.....

There were so many restaurants that we never got sick of the food! In the evenings we picked a different restaurant to eat at each night and for breakfast and lunch we usually ate at our favorite spot...the beach restaurant.  It was a huge palapa with a giant deck overlooking the most beautiful view of the ocean and beach.

This was the view from the palapa looking out at the beach area. There was a bar in that other palapa and yoga on the second level.

And the other side overlooked the ocean. This was taken the night of our fish dinner which was our favorite meal.

Isabelle and Mark did some slow dancing on the patio. It was adorable. There was a wedding going on and they saw the bride and groom dancing so they decided to go to the deck and do a little dancing too.

This was one of our breakfast mornings. The fruit and juice was amazing!

We spent a lot of time hanging out in the hammocks after breakfast or lunch.

Each night they had shows going on. This was the Mayan boat that came through the lobby. They played the drums and did a fire show.

 They also had something for the kids every night. On this particular night they got to break a pinata on stage. Here is Mark being very brave announcing his name, age, and that he lives in Denver, CO.

 

 

We had a lot of very nice happy hours.....

Tequila night. Jamie giving them a try. I actually liked some of them too!

Mark's typical happy hour. Glasses on, shirt open, under the shade of the stroller, with tropical fruit drink. Can't beat that.

Belle usually didn't sit long enough to have her fruity drinks. She was too busy exploring the place and finding animals. One of her favorite happy hour places was in the main lobby area where there were rivers, fountains, and a huge water area with fish and turtles. 

 Don't be fooled though....I can get her to sit still if she sits on my lap. One of our favorite things to do!

Back to the beach!

Beach time with Papa. Isabelle did not stop swimming. She was in the water at all times unless we pulled her to go eat or rest. Mark was usually in the sand building something. He always had sand all over his body, including eyes and ears.

One day they had a water balloon fight and Mark and Belle got in on the action.

 

 This was our favorite pool. It was quiet, lots of shade, and not very crowded. If we weren't at the beach you would find us here. 

 

Heading to our Mexican dinner night...

Playing outside the restaurant near the stage where we watched the nightly shows.

 

 One day we took a taxi to Akumal which was an area my family use to take us when I was little. For the most part it looked just the same however, unfortunately, the coral reef had been destroyed a bit and the snorkeling wasn't nearly as good as it used to be. We still saw some amazing things like giant turtles, stingrays, and squid. The kids even went out and saw the turtles which was really amazing for them.  Here they are playing with a hermit crab which lent itself to hours of fun. I remember doing the exact same thing as a kid.

 One of the many adventures we took around the resort. We even hiked to some Mayan ruins.

One day we went into Xcaret Park to the see the dolphin. Someday, when the kids are a little older, I would love to take them swimming with the dolphins!

 We were sad to leave. We had so much and were so relaxed the entire time we were there. This one goes down in the books, but there is no doubt that this will probably become a yearly adventure for us. We are ready to head back here next year!

 Have you ever seen a Chupa Chup as big as your child's head? Well, here you go. Only at duty free in the Mexican airport.

The end of the school year!

Wow, May was a busy month! Get ready for a little bit of everything. It's hard to believe we did all this in one month.

While walking into the grocery store, the firemen stopped us and started talking to Isabelle. They let her get in the truck and turn on the lights and sirens. She was so excited! I have to say, we live in a great neighborhood. I love that we can go to the store and meet our neighborhood firemen. One fireman even wrote down the name of a great book for us to get Isabelle, so we'll have to go find that this summer.

We also accomplished 4 weeks of swim lessons. Mark was a little hesistant and I thought I'd have to drop him out. Eventually he got in and had a pretty good time, that is if his head remained out of the water at all times. He's not nearly as much a go getter as Isabelle and that is just fine. He'd rather cuddle up on my lap. Isabelle on the other hand, past 2 levels and can swim on her own half the length of the pool. She can also do backstroke better than me. She's a fish!!

 

On the warm days after school, they spent some time playing in the sprinklers while Jamie got them going. The funny part is, that instead of running through them, they took the umbrella and blocked the water from hitting them. It was their "shield of the mighty storm".

 

Belle had to give a big presentation on a zoo animal. She picked the flamingo. She had to make a poster, which she did all by herself, and present it to the class. She did an amazing job and was so brave.

 

Isabelle's field day was a total crack up. The kids had no idea what was going on, but did everything they were told. By the end, the preschoolers were totally wiped out and laying all over the field. This was a ball in a bag toss, which ended up going backwards more than forwards. The parents had to be on watch at all times in case it came flying back into our face. Good laughs.

 Tug of war. Belle was super determined on this one. The competitiveness in her came out.

 Her all time favorite, the bag hop. She hopped past everyone like it was the easiest thing on earth.

 The shoe kick. Not her specialty.

Mark's favorite part was when they got the popsicles. Not surprising. I don't think he watched one event. Instead he played with his transformer the entire time.

 One evening we met Nana and went to see The Jungle Book play which was put on by kids. They loved it. When it was over Isabelle started crying because she wanted to watch more. We have since signed her up in a theater camp this summer and she is so excited. Thanks Nana and Papa!!

  

 And finally, a sad and happy moment for me.....Isabelle's preschool graduation. 

Happy to see her achieve everything she did this year. She learned so much and we can hardly believe it. She reads, writes, and loves everything about going to school. I have to thank her great teachers for this! 

Sad, because my little girl is growing up before my eyes. I still remember how tiny and petite she was in my arms when she was born.

They had a hilarious, non-traditional graduation. They all came marching out in crazy sunglasses and t-shirts with all their pictures. It was so cute. 

 

They sang an alphabet rap song, I Can Count to 100 song, a friendship song, Zippity Doo Dah, Get Funky, and You are My Sunshine (which teared me up because I sing that to her). Some kids were so into it, but Belle just stood up there so proper. She didn't really sing much, but did all the motions they learned.

She then presented us with a flower and got a summer present from her teachers full of books, summer activities, a Father's day present, and a bear.

 Sharing her goodies with Papa.

 Mark was a little jealous, so he took a selfie of us for some attention during the show.

 Celebrating with some cake.

 Her teacher, Mrs. Mettler.

Papa trying to take a picture of us. Unfortunately it didn't really turn out. Technology is not really his thing, but I do want to remember my special moment with Belle.

Mark wanted his picture taken outside next to these fire things, whatever they are. It makes him look like he has mouse ears, but it's pretty stinkin cute.

 

The big day is over and summer has begun. Congrats to Belle who is officially a kindergartner and to Mark who will be starting preschool! We love you both!