Spring Break 2012 - Day 4 - perfect evening

Our first day in Florida has been perfection!  We started with our beach front breakfast, then a full day at the beach, now it's time for a perfect evening!  Our hotel is connected to the Ocean Walk Shoppes.  It's an outdoor village full of restaurants, shops and a movie theater.  

Our first stop was dinner at Mai Tai.  It's super casual and very beachy.  They specialize in small plates.  We all sat on couches and big chairs around a table.  The kids thought that was so cool to not be at a normal restaurant table.  We ordered several different small plates and shared everything.  It was all delicious and a fun experience.

calamari

chicken

calamari

After dinner we surprised the kids and took them to see "The Lorax".  As part of our prize package from the Daytona Hilton, we received movie tickets and popcorn for the whole family. The week before vacation, Lincoln and Spencer had Dr. Suess week at school and they watched the original Lorax movie.  They knew there was a new Lorax movie out and when we told them what we were seeing they were super excited!  This was Jackson's first full length movie in a theater.  We weren't 100% sure that we would all be able to stay for the whole movie. He ended up staying pretty quiet the whole time and was actually into the movie. Toward the end of the movie he couldn't decide where he wanted to sit, but overall he did really well.  The theater was almost empty anyway, so nobody was getting disturbed.  Yay!

After the movie, John took Jackson back to the room and got him tucked in for the night. Lincoln and Spencer wanted to walk around a little bit, so we took our time heading back. While we were exploring, we stumbled upon this sand version of Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse! The detail was unbelievable.  It even included the keepers houses.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse-
made out of sand

it even includes the three keepers houses

Spring Break 2012 - Day 4 - perfect day at the beach

After stuffing our faces at breakfast, we ran back up to our room (literally) grabbed our beach stuff and set up for a full day of sun and sand!  The kids were so excited, I was too!  Daytona is a driving beach, but the part of the beach that the hotel is on really isn't.  The only cars that can drive that stretch are the chair rentals, lifeguards and the ice cream truck.  The kids think it's fun seeing vehicles on the beach, but there are so few and they move so slow that there's no danger.

view from our room

Daytona International Speedway monument

It was the perfect beach weather.  We stayed out until it was time to get cleaned up for dinner. The kids had so much fun digging and playing in the waves.  Jackson didn't go too far out, but he thought the little waves were pretty fun.  Lincoln and Spencer took swimming lessons over the winter, so they didn't have much fear.  In fact, I wish Spencer did have a little more fear, that kid is crazy out there!  Lincoln is a little more cautious.  

 

ready for a surf board?

It was a perfect first day in Florida!  The key to having a fun day is lots of snacks, drinks, toys and shade for when they need a little break (which isn't often).  Then splitting up when it's time for the fun to end.  I usually head back first and get Jackson and I showered and ready.  When we are all set, I give John the signal and he heads up with the other two.  While they are showering, I get their clothes all laid out so they can get dressed quickly.  That way we can get to dinner before any whining occurs.  We had a super fun night planned that we surprised them with, so we needed everything to run smoothly....

Spencer, Lincoln and John-
pic taken from our balcony

Spring Break 2012 - Day 4 - favorite way to start the day

This is our second year staying at the Daytona Hilton.  One of our favorite things about it is starting every day with a delicious breakfast on the outdoor patio overlooking the ocean.  I LOVE eating outside.  It really kicks it up a notch if there is an ocean involved!  It's sooooo relaxing, even with three boys 5 and under.

They really put on a good spread here.  When I'm on vacation, there's not much food control.  I always start with a made to order omelet, a couple slices of bacon, fresh fruit and whatever else looks good.  And, I always conclude with a biscuit and gravy.  I definitely don't eat like this at home, but there are no rules on the road!

The kids actually do eat pretty healthy.  They go nuts with the fresh fruit selection and the unlimited cottage cheese.  At home, they usually eat pretty healthy in the morning, so that's what they pick out anyways.  

first course

next course

our feathered friends