Summer 2010 Family Vacation Guide~Dawn Berryman of Market Mommy
Guest post by Dawn Berryman, owner of Announcements Galore and Market Mommy.
Last spring we took a vacation of firsts. Traveling with young children can be difficult and stressful, but it can also be exciting and rewarding. Seeing our children experience so many firsts was a blessing in itself.
We traveled to Florida for more than a week. It was the first time our family of four had been south to visit my in-law’s condo. It was also the first time our then two and three-year-olds had been on an airplane.
I honestly never realized how strong I was and how much stuff I would actually be able to carry through that busy airport. The kids were oblivious to all the work Mommy and Daddy were doing. They were well-behaved and had a great time on the plane. It really couldn’t have gone more smoothly; which was good because I was really very nervous.
It was also the first time our daughter had been to the ocean. Our son had been once before as an infant, and I’m sure didn’t remember it. They were fascinated by the beach! I think they would have stayed at the water’s edge the entire vacation.
But, we crammed a lot of other stuff in too. Tampa’s Lowery Park Zoo, Sarasota’s Mote Aquarium, pool time, eating out, outlet mall shopping and much more filled the first five days of our family vacation. We also visited an aunt and uncle of mine. It was the first time my kids had been there. Actually, I think most of the things we did throughout the trip were also ‘firsts.’
We fed a giraffe. We searched for shells. We rode a camel. We went to a spring training game.
After more fun than you can imagine, we were ready to start the second leg of our vacation. We jumped in the rental car and drove more than seven hours north and over into the panhandle of Florida. It was the first time we were visiting my best friend and her family since they had been stationed near Pensacola.
My best friend had just had her second baby. And by just, I mean only days earlier. It was the first time we met the newest addition to the family. And, aside from his grandmother, we were baby’s first visitors. After a couple days there, we headed home.
It was an amazing time. And, the beauty of having children is that this summer when we take our vacation there will be another round of firsts to experience together. I love seeing the world through their eyes!
*Giveaway* If you’re like me, you take a TON of photographs on your vacation. Announcements Galore {www.announcementsgalore} would like to give one lucky winner an 8×10 keepsake collage to commemorate your summer vacation. We will make a personalized collage just for you, including up to 12 of your favorite vacation photos!
Click HERE to enter!
This picture is our family when we first arrived at my in-law’s condo.
Dawn Berryman is the owner of Announcements Galore and Market Mommy. She resides in rural Ohio with her husband and two young children.
http://marketmommy.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/MarketMommy
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Filed under: Family Vacations, Giveaways
