Mexico

Now that we've been home over a month (*correction...two months), it's time to post about our trip to Mexico! :) I keep starting and stopping this post, but I'm determined not to give up on it! Hang on. I think I'm going to go fix myself some tea and try to finish this. Be right back. ;)

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We spent a week at the end of May in Playa Del Carmen with Keith and Kayla. I still can't get over the fact that it actually worked out for us to take a trip together! We have always wanted to make it happen (and even had numerous "conference calls" to try and make our schedules mesh), and finally--we did! We had such a great time being together for a whole week with nothing to do. Seriously, we are just best friends who happen to be related. It's such a blessing and so.much.fun.

I guess I'll start at the beginning. Keith and Kayla flew into Houston on the 19th, and we were able to all be on the same flight from Houston to Mexico. It was so much fun meeting them in the airport! We didn't get to sit together on the plane, but it was still fun knowing they were there. Kyle, J, and I ended up in the very BACK of the plane. Like, no one behind us. It's noisy back there. I've only sat in the back of a plane one other time, and it's not really my favorite place to be, but Jacks kept it interesting and fun. He has such a great ability to make things fun. I love that about him.

Now that I'm looking at these pictures taken two months ago, I'm amazed at how much he's grown since then. He's lost some of the Chub and gotten longer. Slow down, Time.


I think it goes without saying how much our child L-O-V-E-S vacations and especially ones that involve riding on "mare-mares." He kept saying, "We ridin' on a mare-mare!!"...very loudly. People on the plane around us were amused (Praise the Lord), and I was proud to be the momma of such a full-of-life toddler. It worked out perfectly that there was a four-year-old little boy behind us, and they acted silly and played the entire flight to Mexico. Jackson was loving life. (*Update: He doesn't say "mare-mares" anymore. What a sad day it is when they start saying words as they should be said!)

It was raining when we got into Cancun at 6:00 p.m. Of course we had to go through customs, and Jacks entertained the lines of people by singing "The Wheels on the Bus" very loudly. He would also tell anyone who would make eye contact with him, "This my cars. See. Cool bus."

We hopped on a taxi, and I immediately shocked/confused Kayla by not freaking out about Jacks not being in a car seat. All I have to say about that is--it was Mexico. It has that affect on people, right? Even rule followers like me start getting relaxed. Just don't expect it to happen again until the next time I'm in Mexico. It was raining pretty heavily, and the cab ride took about an hour. We kept Jacks peaceful by handing him a bag of Reeses Pieces. We are seriously awesome parents. Gold Stars for us.

We were all starving when we first got to the resort, so we headed straight to the buffet while the boys put our stuff in the rooms. Kayla and I decided to scope out the entire buffet before getting a plate. Sometimes when we're together we have a knack for over thinking every little thing. It's just what we do. Although the food was not first rate, there were some pretty good finds to be had from time-to-time! My favorites ended up being their guacamole (had it with every.single.meal--that is the absolute truth) and coconut ice cream. I ate the coconut ice cream with Tres Leches cake, and it was heavenly. I also started drinking tea while we were there because the coffee was not.so.much. UNTIL the last two days, when I discovered a coffee machine where you could get gourmet coffee drinks or espresso. I started making this little espresso/milk/Splenda concoction and was feeling high on life (and caffeine--PTL!) I think I had it morning and afternoon. The resort had specialty restaurants, but let's just say steak was NOT the Steak Restaurant's specialty. The experience provided some good laughter, though. HAHA. I'm laughing as I relive this.

Hanging out in our room. Lovin' the towel animal.

Reading with Dad. Pictures like this make my heart swell. Ouch.

Ahhh...vacation. Who does he think he is? ;)

Sweetness.

The sand and water were BEAUTIFUL! Jacks loved playing with his diggers in the sand.

View from the outdoor cafe where we ate lunch most days.

"Uh-uh Sees" and "Cia" (Jackson's names for Uncle Keith and Aunt Kayla)
*Update: That was then. Now, it's "Teeth" and "Kaya")

Aunt Kayla gives me whatever I want!

Our balcony was to the left of this picture in the blue building. Our rooms weren't adjoining, but they were right across from each other.

Before dinner one night

The night at the "Steak" Restaurant.

Jackson entertained himself by dipping his digger in his water glass.

Brotherly love...

Hanging out by the pool.

Here they are ready to head out on a catamaran. Kayla and I ended up going later in the week. We had quite a little adventure with our sail coming down while we were out in the ocean. Thank goodness Keithey Cat was on board. He fixed it in no time. I was screaming and squealing though...I won't lie. It was quite hilarious after we (OK, I) realized we were going to live. ;)

This would be right after I told him that we only use tissues when our nose is running. Of course, he ran over to the tissues and said, "Nose runnin'." Brilliant.

Kayla & I taking a break from shopping on 5th street. It was H-O-T, but we enjoyed walking around. We were thrilled to see many American restaurants that we recognized and welcomed the break from buffet eating. We had lunch at Johnny Rockets. Strangely enough, every single one of us ordered a ham and cheese sandwich. I have NO idea what was up with that! But it was GOOD.

Milkshake time!

My main squeeze

My little man is not a man of fear. Or restraint. He took off for the ocean at full speed any chance he got. Thank goodness he didn't mind wearing his little vest and floaties.

More pics...

We all got such a kick out of Jackson in the pool. Of course this was his first taste of this kind of independence in the pool. Now, two months later...it's the norm. But that week I could not believe my little man was floating around in the pool on his own. :)

This was the night that we all wore green unintentionally (except for me.) Then they decided to go with it. I had on pink, and they made me change. I'm such a good sport because I really liked my other shirt better.

Jackson's "Box of Colors and Shapes" that his MDO teachers gave him at the end of the school year was a HUGE hit on this trip. He played with the shapes constantly. Such a great idea! It's a little tupperware filled with colored foam shapes made using di-cuts. Fun!

Action shot of K-Sil playing sand volleyball. He and Keith got involved in several of the rec activities.

The guys before heading out to play golf.

We were in Mexico on J's actual birthday, and K&K got him this authentic Mexican sombrero and maracas for his special day! He ran around with them all evening. A birthday in Mexico is a dream come true if you ask me!

The staff really treated Jacks special. They had a table set up for us with balloons, and they made him a special cake. We were not exactly sure what it was, but it was chocolate. And good.

They sang a very long but lively birthday song to him, and when it was over, they insisted he bite the cake. We were all a little confused, but it was very important to them, so Kyle slammed his face in the cake. They broke out into a loud cheer and laughter. Apparently this is a Mexican tradition! One we had no trouble embracing.

I could not believe there were two candles on that cake!

He turned to me right after being face-slammed into the cake and said, "Mommy? Dit a rag?"

After the birthday dinner, it was time for the Lost finale. Kyle was the only one interested in that, but we all headed back to the room to hang out. After the finale, we headed down to the entertainment area where interesting (and quite bazaar) things were always going on. Ha! I don't really know how to describe it. The staff really loved Jacks and brought him up on stage and sang happy birthday to him and ended up singing the Hokey Pokey song and doing a wild version of that dance that had Kayla (who was holding him on stage) and Kyle working up a pretty good sweat.

My sweet boys.

A few random things...

This sweet worker who was in charge of the Kids Club was eating her favorite Mexican candy while Jacks and I were finger painting one day. I was curious about it, so she shared one with us. She had a whole bunch of them and promised me it was cheap for her to get at Wal Mart. It was called Pelon Pelo Rico. It was a sweet/spicy candy that had chilis in it! It was a very interesting taste to say the least!

Keith was opening a Pelon Pelo Rico for Jackson here. He loved it! Go figure!


Another new thing I got to try was a fresh coconut. When Jacks and I were playing in the little Kids Hut, there were some workers taking a break nearby. They were climbing a ladder to get coconuts to drink. I don't remember what I said to them, but it was something that indicated that I was curious. I had my back turned and a few minutes later one of the men said, "Senorita?" and handed me my very own! It was very strong tasting. I think it was not quite ready, but it was still a fun experience! I had to bring it back for everyone to see. Keith was the only other one who tried it.


Jacks cuddled up to Uncle Keith quite a bit!


This was another random night. Jacks asked to go on the stage. He is such a little ham. He did not want to come off. Poor Kayla! He totally dragged her up there.


Jacks had a lot of fun with his Aunt Kayla, too. He loved racing her up and down the sidewalk between our rooms and the beach or our rooms and the restaurant area. He would say, "Ready...set..." and take off running. He would then stop and squat down and say, "It's hard." Haha.

On our very last night in Mexico, we ate at a fun Italian restaurant on 5th Street. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was so fun!


I love my brother-in-law!


This is a very awkward pose here, but it's all of us.


Well, that's about it for this recap. We are so thankful that we had the opportunity to take this trip with K & K and look forward to many more!

Some pics of our ride home...It was pretty bumpy and Jacks loved it! It was like a roller coaster.

Stay tuned for more summer updates now that I'm done with work & traveling for the summer! School starts in 3 weeks!
Wow!