Trip to Texas

Fin quotes:

Ellie is wearing all purple and grinning like a goof -

Fin says "That Ellie is Purpalarious!"

"Mommy you are a crocodile and I am a polka dot. I am a bagel and you are the bag of chips." (I am nearly certain he was not on any drugs?)

Singing The Beatles - "Here come the sun.. dodododo... Here comes the sun...And it's so bright"

Back in March Fin, Ellie and Mommy all took our trip with Nanna down to San Juan, TX to visit Pompa and Grandma Babe. (Don't forget the Babe! Fin will let you know her name is NOT Grandma.) It was Elle's first trip and I have to say I was so nervous. For as many trips Fin has been on, I have not had a single meltdown on a plane. But his little sister proved to be my little travel angel as well. We stayed a night in Corpus Christi before making the trip down to the border. Our hotel was right on the beach and Fin was in 7th heaven. My little man wants to be a surfer, I can tell. I really don't think he would ever, ever come out of the water if we didn't make him. He had a blast digging in the sand, throwing shells back in the water and running through the waves (which were freezing, he didn't care at all). It was so cute, he immediately picked up a shell and said "look, a shell for my nose!", remembering a picture I took of him in St. Padre last year. I love that he remembers fun times, like that.

 Humidity

 Awesome playground right on the beach

 We also found an amazing playground on the beach. It was kind of a maze and not at all fun for me to navigate with Ellie in her wrap, but Fin just loved it. There were ladders, bridges, slides and secret tunnels around every turn. He has turned into an absolute monkey.

Sometimes it's just impossible to get Fin to smile nicely...

 Ellie and Grandma Babe

Ellie and Pompa



The next day we made the drive to the border (and that's were Elle decided to make her displeasure with travel clear - poor Nanna had to sit in the back and try and keep her from screaming for hours). But we made it in the end and it was WONDERFUL to visit with my grandparents. Fin was so excited to see them and got to take a golf cart ride with seconds of arriving (he returned because he "had to pee".) He and I both love their little trailor community and I'm pretty sure if Nathan would let us, Fin and I would move into a Winnebago there. He really enjoys taking walks with Pompa and Babe around the trailor court and waving to friends and sometimes picking fresh citrus from the trees. Nanna, Fin, myself and Ellie (for a minute) all went swimming in the pool, where he made quite a splash with the retired folks, who all thought he was pretty cute. He really was getting the hang of swimming with a water noodle and loudly sang Row Row Row Your Boat while "driving" his raft. Ellie got in the water for the first time, as well. She didn't really seem to know what to make of it, but did OK for a little while before starting to cry a little. Pompa immediately rescued her back to his house while we played awhile longer.

As a bonus suprise while we were there, there just happened to be a carnival set up right across the street from where we all had dinner. Fin got to go down the Big Slide with Mommy, ride the carousel with Pompa, Dumbo flying ride with Nanna and then... ride the cars all by himself. I was so not ready for this step and in my wildest dreams did not think that he was. He picked a purple glittery car to drive and seemed excited, but I thought - best case scenario - he would hold back tears until the ride was over, at which point he would break down and scream to never leave him again. Worst case scenario - he panics as soon as the rides starts, trys to jump out before they can turn the ride off and we end up taking him to the hospital with broken bones. I was nervous to say the least. But goodness, no, he had the time of his life. He was laughing like a boy possessed, had no time to wave to Nanna and I as he circled by us. Beeping the horn and driving with all he had. I really think it may have been the happiest I've ever seen him. He rode it twice. I was so happy for him and also a little sad my baby is growing up so fast!

 "Horseys up down" with Pompa

 So busy driving, couldn't even stop to smile at Mommy!

We sure wish we could have stayed a little longer. I don't know anyone more fun than Pompa and Grandma Babe, it just thrills me to have Fin get to spend time with them. We can't wait to see them again. :)