November 21, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Swimming With The Dolphins.

It was unusual and it was sometimes scary but it was always exciting.  That was the consensus of all those who went to swim with the dolphins.   The six girls plus Suzanne, David and Andrew went for the adventure.  Ken can barely swim while Molly is too small  so we stayed back at the resort, but the rest of the group had a blast.

"These beasts are huge", said David.  The dolphins are so well trained that they swam on their backs, while the human swimmers hold the flippers while the dolphins towed them around the large pool.  Andrew said that it seems as though you are going one hundred miles an hour.  These creatures are impressive.  They kissed the cheeks of the girls and stayed still while being patted.  Every so often they just jumped high out of the water for no apparent reason.

On principal, I don't really like wild creatures to come too close to humans but today the swimming with the dolphins expedition was a big hit for both children and adults.  I think I should have joined in the fun.

November 20, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. The Game.

All six girls were playing.  David, Andrew, Suzanne and I were sitting at the end of the pool having a drink and we could hear the shrieks and cheering.  Water polo was the game.   Kate came from the game to tell us that she was going to shower before dinner as it was already 5:45 but all the other girls were still playing.  The adults decided to leave the pool area too so we watched the game as we were walking by,  and arrived just as Samantha scored a goal.  Sarah there a long pass to Samantha, who immediately jumped high to score, much to the surprise of the goalie and a defender, both of whom were boys.

At least 20 players were in the game, mostly boys as well as several men.   There were comments such as "watch your nails" or "no tackling", all directed at our girls.  They were tenacious, and their team won.   They should never have allowed them on the same team.   At the end of the game, all the players agreed to meet again at the Magic Show.   For good or ill, the girls have made friends!!

November 19, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Eating.

The food here is wonderful.  The girls are enjoying going from place to place indulging themselves.   Today, coming up from the beach about 3:00, I spotted three of our girls eating a second lunch.   Allison, Abigail and Samantha were sitting by the pool, each  eating a hamburger and french fries.  The sea gulls we standing in the very shallow water right by the edge watching.  It did not take the girls long to feed the birds.   The girls were delighted although I suspect the resort officials may not be pleased.

But indulgence is it's own reward.  Kate yesterday drank five pina coladas, of course with no alcohol.  Last night at dinner she ate full dinners plus the left over shrimp from Christina's dinner.  This morning she  woke up with a queasy stomach and thinks she drank some tap water!!   It is probably true that the tap water has a different composition than Jackson, but the water here in the resort is pure and clean, but the combination of a huge amount of food plus different water left Kate in her room for the day.   "It was a good lesson for Kate", said Ken.  You must spell yourself when staying at an all inclusive resort, and only eat what is wonderful.  Now all the girls have learned the lesson as well as Kate.  We hope she is better tomorrow.

November 18, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. Granddaughters.

The girls are thrilled.   The resort is beautiful and there is plenty for them to do.  Today they snorkeled and climbed the rock wall, in addition to clambering around the obstacle course.   Late in the afternoon, they all took a hot tub in their huge jacuzzi tub in their room, all six in the same tub.   Tomorrow morning they have decided to order room service for breakfast, just because they can.   After their hot tub they ate a pastry and hot chocolate in the patio of the resort.  All of these activities they are able to do all by themselves, with no parents required.  

The all inclusive resort is good for the parents too because they are required to neither dole out money nor restrict the purchase of any object.  Today, David and Suzanne sat on the beach all day, reading their books and snoozing while Andrew and Christina sat and watched while Molly played in an area designed for children, with a slide where a huge bucket dumps over the slide on regular intervals.

Everyone is happy.  This afternoon,  Suzanne organized the trip to swim with the dolphins for the six older girls for Wednesday afternoon, plus scheduled a massage for each four adults, so now we are set.  Everyone is relaxed and happy, which is just what vacations should be!!

November 17, 2012. Aventura Cove, Mexico. The Travel Day,

The day you travel always takes it's toll.  No matter when you start and when you finish,  you end up tired and irritated.  Today was no exception.   I could outline a litany of problems and delays but when all was said and done, we are all here at the resort.   We had a delightful pasta dinner sitting outdoors beside the pool and the beach, all together.   Andrew regaled the girls with jokes, something I have not heard him do in years.  And we are now all in our rooms,  although not the rooms we intended to be in.  The girls are delighted and everyone is happy.

We had booked one presidential suite plus two deluxe family suites but when we arrived for some unknown reason, the presidential suite was not available even though we booked it a year ago.  I was not pleased.  Ken just sat and let me deal with the manager.   Eventually, they gave us three family suites plus one additional room with two beds,  so now, right in a row, we have two granddaughters one side of us and two on the other, but both girls in their own rooms, which each comes with a huge jacuzzi tub.  The four older girls are delighted.  Molly is in a room adjacent to Andrew and Christina and the twins are right next to David and Suzanne, so even though they messed up our reservation, it turns out to be a better fit for us.  Alls well that ends well.  But I tell you, at the end of a long travel day I was not pleased.  Now we are ready to get a good night sleep and be ready to explore this lovely place tomorrow.

November 16, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Packing.

Ken and I always look that we packed light.  It is not that we look terrible when on a trip but we certainly don't look chic.   Our goal is to pack in quantities of four.  Our bags always have space to bring home treasures.   Today, we are packing for two weeks at a resort in Mexico.  We will have dinner every evening with our families but spend the rest of the day in bathing suits by the pool or beach.   Ken had to be reminded to take two bath suits.  He assured me that he really only needed one, but he packed two.

We both laughed about a trip we took with several other folks from work, to attend a meeting run by Bernie Kanstaroom, in Puerto Vallarta.   Every day after class, we all sat around the pool.  My friends observed that every day I appeared with the same bathing suit.    They were incredulous when they discovered that I only brought one.     On the other hand, my friend Peppy wore  a different bathing suit every day.  She certainly set the standard and looked a whole lot better than me.   So I reformed.   Now I always bring two bathing suits when going to a resort but truth be told, I always only wear the one that is the oldest and most comfortable.  It is sad but true.  Comfort is more important than style to me.  But I always bring my two bathing suits in honor of my friend Peppy!!

November 15, 2012. Canyon Lake, Texas. Christmas Shopping.

The granddaughters will not expect gifts from us this year because for Christmas we are giving each family member one week vacation at an all inclusive resort south of Cancun, which includes airfare.  The children know we are not rich and they are grateful for the trip so they will not expect their usual bag of goodies from us for Christmas.

But I fooled them.  Today I shopped at the Dollar General.   It all started six years ago when we did the same thing except we all went to Nuevo Vallarta for a week.  Ken and I stayed in our condo and both families stayed in the Time Share just down the road.  We went right after Christmas and that was our gift but I wanted the girls to open something on Christmas morning so I went to the Dollar General and filled a Christmas bag of goodies.  The girls loved them so I did it again the next year except I included something of value in the bag.  I have continued the tradition so today I shopped for Christmas.

I give them items they can use at school plus a bunch of things they was wear, also pens and glue sticks, socks, candy, hair bands, small Kleenex tissues.  The girls love dumping out the whole bag, then carefully looking at every object.  The first year I wrapped each object individually but no more.  I just return from the store and make sure that every bag has one of each object.  They are ready to go to San Antonio now, and will be hidden at David and Suzanne's house until Christmas morning.   The girls will be surprised with the bag of goodies from Grandma and Grandpa, except of course, if they have already read the blog!!