Sur de la Frontera

We had been hungering for a vacation for a while.  While I am very much the type of person to appreciate a break from reality regardless of purpose or duration, a real vacation had been on our wish list pretty much since we returned from our last full week at the beach three years ago.  This time, we didn’t go as far as in times past since we have three little travelers in tow.  Nonetheless, we were able to make it as far as Rocky Point, Mexico, and it was all we  wished it would be.

A breezy four hour car ride in the southwesterly direction, and we were here:

 

The kids were a little apprehensive about the beach at first, being pampered pool babies most of their lives (no salt in the eyes or sand in the butt), but they soon realized that they loved it.  Couldn’t help it, I’m sure.  It’s in their blood.

   

Ari let her Daddy bury her alive (from the chest down) in the sand, completely neglecting to recall that she used to have a sensory sensitivity to the stuff. 

Bella and Gabe made me a sand castle.  Gabe’s mission was to decorate it with only my “favorite” shells.  Bella’s was a twofold objective to create a masterpiece and then wash it away by covering it with seawater while laughing maniacally. 

  

I love when she takes off and does whatever she pleases.  And, hello, that bum couldn’t be any cuter, I’m pretty sure!

 

Ari is thrilled to death whenever she sneaks away from us.  She’s so playful and mischievous.  I wish everyone could see this side of her.

   

They make me happy.

 

Turns out the sandcastle wasn’t the only thing that Bella tried to wash.  Bella was quick to create friendships everywhere we went, but almost equally quick to torment her new friends at times too.  Luckily, Bella tends to be easily forgiven.

 

There isn’t anything more wonderful than the sound of all three laughing together.  I want to keep this forever.

 

We rented a two bedroom condo at Las Palomas, which was perfect for our family.  Gabe slept on the pull-out couch in the living room at night, and the girls shared a bed.  They slept hard too.  Gabe loved being in the center room, knowing that he wouldn’t miss out on any family commotion (or morning Disney Channel cartoons).  Ari was the last to fall asleep of the three each night, as she stayed awake to relish in the bliss of having her little sister (whom she adores) fall asleep peacefully on her shoulder.

 

I am proud to say that we were able to successfully disconnect from everything.  We shunned the internet and even turned off our phones (gasp!) for a whole week! 

In the mornings:

we hit the pools.  There were almost twice as many pools there than there were days in our visit, so we hopped around from the lazy river to the “warm pool” to the water slide to the baby pools and then back to the swim up bar for an excessive number of virgin Piña Coladas for the kids. 

 

Little fish kept crawling into the deeper water whenever we averted our gaze.  She loves to tease us, and she gets her rebellious streak from her mama.

  

Daddy was a crocodile, and Gabe was the object of his... appetite?

 

Gabe and Bella have gotten to be a great swimmers.  Gabe the babe has moved up two levels in swim class, and Bella has moved up one.  Both swim without any floaties, and I don’t have to worry about them or let them hang on me every second that they’re in the water. They play games under water, jump of the side, and get themselves safely to the wall each time.  I love watching their proud faces and hearing their exuberant shouts of, “Hey Mom, watch me!”.

   

In the evenings:

we attended “low tide”.  At least that’s what we called it, like it was an event not to be missed.  The water pulled so far back, creating the most beautiful tide pools I’ve seen anywhere.  The kids were more at ease during the low tide, because the waves were docile and the water was shallow.  I was more at ease too, because the sun was low and the water was warm and the kids were playful and well-rested from their afternoon nap.

Gabe said he was pretending to be Ariel.

 

Gabe plays and tries oh so hard to be adventurous and dash out into the deep waves with Daddy, only occasionally deterred by the burning of the salt in his eyes, but more often than not ending up victorious for his bravery and superheroeness.

     

Ariana is my little angel.  She adores her daddy more than words can say, but she is my best friend.  Shy around strangers (anxious actually), but fun-loving and easy-going and simply happy and loving life each day when she knows she’s loved.  And she always is.

  

Sometimes, the kids remind me of their daddy so much ;). 

 

She is sassy and moody and more fun to watch than anyone I know.  She has a magnetic effect on everyone she meets.  She’s not missing a thing.

    

With low tide comes beautiful soft craters in the beach that were home to all kinds of little creatures, a favorite among which were the tiny hermit crabs.  They were particularly active at low tide, because apparently, that’s hermit crab dinnertime.  Jake and the kids wasted no time figuring out their entree of choice (red sand worms), if only to scavenge those little buggers up and watch them be devoured by our little hard-shelled friends.

 

My birthday happened to fall on our last day in Mexico.  I was thinking we’d probably do something when we got back to town, but Jake had different plans.  He bought me a spa massage, which was treat enough, but when I got back to the room I was greeted with my own personal surprise party!  Jake told me that the  kids had known the plan all day long, and they kept the secret so well!  They made me feel so special.  It was the perfect way complete an impossibly wonderful family vacation.

We should do this more often.