Whew.....

We are here- the beach- the sand- the oh so hot sun! and all I can say is WHEW!!! because I am tired!!!!! We made it in yesterday a little before 4 only to encounter a problem- our room (and many other ALFA travelers rooms) was not ready. We panicked a bit (me mostly) because we were to be at the welcoming party at 6:30- and you all know me too well to even begin to think that I was just going to walk into that party straight out of the car (where we were for 7 1/2 hours) when I had planned out everyones coordinating outfits/etc. Oh no way for that! They called us right at 5 to tell us we could check in and we made it to the party and all was well.... and the kids were all matching and I was in a sweat but what else is new- that is normal for me to get anywhere we are going :)

The party was the party- the kids had more fun than the rest of us- which was good. We skipped out early and sweet Stephanie was feeling awful generous (she had MiMi- I had JD- we know who was fairing better in the assisting department) so she came by the room and took Kaylee and Kyle with Abby to burn off some energy in the pool. I joined them shortly after- but Kaden was in a ROTTEN mood to say the least and I didn't think I was going to ever get him to bed. They were all bathed and down for the night about 12.

This morning we got up with the sun (ok- anything before 8 is basically sunrise when you have had a day like I did yesterday!)and Kaylee, Kyle and myself took off to the beach to beat the crowd and the heat. The crowd wasn't there but the heat was. We played, made a sandcastle, let the waves touch our feet (I am still leary of oil water) and headed to the pool- all before 8am. We made it back to the room to wake Daddy and Kaden up to go for some breakfast and luckily Cracker Barrel serves it all day because we didn't get going until after 11 :) We took a long drive up the main strip just checking out what options we had in the entertainment department. We went to Bass Pro Shop, checked the Gulfarium schedule for tomorrow, got a Starbucks while the kids ALL napped in the car and JD was a sweety and sat in car and let me get some retail therapy in at the awesome outlets. We took the kids by a little play area at the Commons and let them blow some money doing bumper boats, climbing a monster slide and jumping on two inflatable castles. It was so hot we all were at the passing out point when we left! I didn't think i had the camara with us and I didn't get ANY pics of this - and the camara was in the car the entire time. I had to help Kaylee climb a multi-level-spider-web-type slide and I can't believe I don't have photo evidence!!! She got 2 turns on the slide- I went up once and told her it was NOT going to happen again- so she did the next turn solo.

Then back to the resort to get ready for dinner (aka supper). We got ready earlier than our party we were meeting up with- so I did a little beach photo session. That was something.... lots of sand, a few tantrums and one soaking wet sand coated baby later- we were back to the room to get RE-ready for dinner. We went to Joe's Crab Shack and waited ONE HOUR to eat (by this time it is 9 PM and I was feeling the affects of getting up with the chickens!) The food was good- the kids weren't!

Here we are now- getting ready for bed- 1 out of 3 down for the night- Zombie Mom updating her blog like she isn't about to collapse out of the chair. Who knows what tomorrow has in store- most likely another mini-marathon!!

I can't post pictures yet- well I probably could but I am finished for the day..... I will get back to you on that one........