Belizin' It - Day 1 - Changes in Latitude

After all the frenzied prep to get out of town, WE MADE IT TO BELIZE!  Dropped off Bean and Squeaker at OpaNana's successfully.  Morning report from OpaNana was that night #1 was fine. Squeaker woke up at 11 and then again 5 to eat.  All's well so far...

And the report from Belize is AWESOME.  Changes in latitudes do result in changes in attitudes.  If normal day-to-day volume for me is 10, I'm already operating on about a 5. 

Casa Tortuga is more amazing in person than on the web.  It has a more intimate feel--palm trees surround the pool and house, and the beach is only 25 yards from the house.  The house cook, Maria, greeted us last night with fresh-made pina coladas and guacamole.  She followed with a dinner of shrimp, rice with peppers, bbq chicken, salad, and key lime pie.  Husband and I lucked into what I think is the largest room in the casa, the Palm Room.  It's on a corner and enjoys ocean breezes from two sides.  We woke up to the sun rise over the ocean, viewed from our bed.

Casa Tortuga is about 2 miles South of downtown San Pedro.  We took an early-morning walk on the beach towards town.  Passed many private homes and resorts.  Had coffee at the turnaround point.  A walk alone with husband was a treat.  The fact that it was not below freezing, on a beach, and kidless was a bonus.

Today holds lots of relaxing.  We opted not to plan any activities other than lounging by the pool, reading in the hammocks, and playing on the beach.  Photos coming soon!

Do you want some cheese with that whine?

OK, I re-read my post this morning and have to say it was a LITTLE whiny. I mean, really, how awful is it to be employed, with vacation pay, have 2 healthy kids and parents who can babysit them, and go to Belize?

Tiny violins playing for me.

:)

Vacation? I hope it's worth it...

Getting the whole family ready to go on vacation is taking its toll. Just getting me ready has been exhausting. This is a bad time to be leaving work (trying to finalize negotiations on new business, making project staffing changes, starting new projects, blah, bleh, bleh). And, honestly, my to-do list for the next 2 days is nut bar:

• Finalize wills and medical powers of attorney with the lawyer
• Research where OpaNana can take the girls to the doctor in case of sickness (highly likely given our kids)
• Plan Bean's 2-year birthday party which is happening in Austin on Friday
• Write how-to-take-care-of notes for the housesitter and OpaNana
• Call our neighbors to let them know we'll be out of town
• Wash at least 6 loads of laundry
• Pack an amazingly coordinated, yet efficient and flattering beach wardrobe for me
• Pack everything the girls will need
• Take sunglasses to be repaired
• Repair double BOB stroller
• Download episodes of Dora for Bean to watch on the plane
  
• Do 1,000 crunches in 3 days to make stomach halfway worthy of post-baby exposure. Yeah, right.
• Oh, and work 2 9-hour + days
  

I'm staying sane by remembering that all the craziness will be behind me in 2 days. Husband asked what I was looking forward to most about the trip. In order: 1. time with husband, of course; 2. uninterrupted sleep; 3. hammock time combined with #2; 4. warm weather and sunshine; 5. tropical adult beverages; 6. reading. It will be worth it... I know it will!