My Florida Vacation

I survived a long (and I mean VERY long) car ride with high hopes for our Florida vacation knowing that there were lots of fun times ahead. My buddy Nate let me borrow his DVD player so I could watch movies in the car. My favorites were Tom & Jerry and Dora the Explorer.

When we finally arrived in Florida we went to my Great Grandpa and Grandma's house.

I was pretty tired so I spent some time relaxing on the couch watching more toons. There was plenty of space for me on that couch!

The next day we played at the park near their house. I raced Mama & Daddy on the slides and won of course! After that we went to a place called Lion Country Safari. We drove through a big zoo where the animals could come right up to our car.

Daddy let me drive part of the way, but I wanted to honk the horn and roll down the windows and wouldn't sit still so they kicked me back to the backseat again.

Looking at the animals

A forced break with Mom and Dad

Daddy and I got to ride on a real live camel! He was furry and gave us a bumpy ride. I got to drive the camel while Daddy sat on the back.

I played the drums

Got to ride a ferris wheel

and a carousel

"Hi Mama!"

On our second full day we went to see the Cardinals at a Spring training game.

It was fun for a bit, but I got restless sitting there in the stands and just wanted to walk around and play. I met another fellow little boy Cardinal fan and ran in circles with him for awhile. We also took turns tossing tiny pebbles down the drain. I even took the opportunity to taste a small pebble and told my Mama that I swallowed it before she could stop me. Too late Mama, its in my belly! She said not to do that anymore and that it would hurt my belly, but I assured her that it made my belly feel good.

It was around that time that we decided to head to the beach.

I looked pretty cute in my sun hat, sunglasses, and surf shirt and got lots of compliments from the older ladies.

Daddy even bought me new sand toys including a dump truck with a loader for scooping sand.

Also of note were the real construction machines that were working on the beach. Only thing better than the beach are trucks on the beach!

Mama couldn't do too much fun stuff because her belly is so big because of baby Elliot (and snacks). But she was good to climb on and she helped show me how to build sand castles.

Our third day we went to the beach again which was okay with me. I had a lot of fun at the beach. We also stopped by the Oceanographic Institute where I got to feed and pet the sting rays!

They came up and ate a dead fish head right out of my fingers! They felt soft and smooth and kept nuzzling against my hand.

Our fourth day we headed to Orlando. I helped carry my bag up to the hotel.

We took a shuttle to Disney World, then rode the train, then a ferry boat and finally arrived. One of the first people I met was Pinocchio.

I rode the tea cups with Mama

And the race car with Daddy. I was such a good driver I was awarded a driver's license!

I also rode on Snow White, Pirates of the Caribbean, Winny the Pooh, and some other rides.

I got a second chance at Mickey ears and managed to keep them on this time (in case you forgot, there was a incident involving my Mickey Ears at Disneyland). Mama and Daddy kept practicing with me..."Thomas, if we get you Mickey ears what are you going to do with them?" I would respond, "Not throw them in the water!" And I didn't!

Day 5, back to the beach.

Daddy buried me in the sand but I managed to escape.

Daddy and I went swimming in the COLD water

And soaked up some rays (just kidding, just a brief rest...like 3 or 4 seconds).

After finishing up at the beach we got cleaned up and headed to the mall for some shopping. Mommy shopped while Daddy and I scoped out some cool stuff to do. Take for example this jumping thing. While Mama took a bathroom break, Daddy signed me up to do this mega bouncing. Luckily she made it back in time to photograph & film the evidence of this coolness.

Here's a video

As you can tell I had a great vacation but am I ever glad to be home. The last day or so I said, "Mama, I want to go to Illinois." And since I usually get what I want, we did indeed head back on another long drive to Illinois.

There's no place like home!