Michal had a work training down in Miami the last weekend of October/first weekend of November. So, he surprised me and purchased an extra plane ticket for me to come and join him since everything else was already paid for by his work.
It meant that we would miss out on taking Lily trick or treating, but with how "lively" our neighborhood is... I don't think we missed out.
When we arrived to Miami, we met some local girls who gave us a bazillion recommendations of things to do, places to go, where to eat, drink and party. So... we took their first recommendation and headed to Lincoln street that night. Apparently it was "the place" to sport your halloween attire. Lily loved it. Michal loved it. I loved it. And the reason that we all enjoyed walking up and down Lincoln street was for all different reasons:
Lily: She loved seeing all the little kids go trick or treating to the neighboring shops adorning the street. And she loved getting some treats for herself.
Michal: He loved the extremists who dressed up in outfits that no one would dare be seen in, in NC. He also loved the crazy loud music and the walking.
Me: I loved the fact that there was about every age and type of people walking on that street possible. You had babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, adults, and even people older than my parents and grandparents who dressed up. It warmed my heart every time I saw an old, old couple hand in hand wearing a costume to fit in with the crowd. I also loved how many crazy outfits there were there and no two were alike (maybe except all the little girls dressed as Elsa).
We all picked our favorite Halloween costumes we saw...
Michal = Drunken Sailor
Katie = Kermit the frog and Miss Piggy (Kermit wearing a spandex suit)
Lily = her own outfit, Our Little Sailor
...plus many bystanders thought she was adorable riding on Michal's back and thought her "costume" was just so clever for Miami. Truth be told, it was a cute outfit that we got from a family member and she hasn't fit into it until now. I was afraid by the time the weather turned she would be too big for it, so this was the perfect occasion to take advantage of her sailor outfit.
After hitting the town, we decided to take it easy the rest of the trip. We did check out an amazing cuban restaurant (thanks to our airport friends recommendations). But since the weather was so perfect, we decided to take advantage and hit up the beach as much as possible.
Both Michal & I enjoy going out into the Ocean and wading among the waves, but it got a tad old after being in the ocean for several hours. This little girl didn't want to ever get out. Poor Michal took the brunt of it. He had more fun bouncing her, and swimming with her, and putting her on his shoulders. Mommy was so boring by just casually wading with her on my hip.
As soon as we would return to shore to lather up with more SPF 75, she would sign "again", "again", "again." Until one of us relented and took her back out among the blue waves. This trip made it so easy for us to decide what our next several vacations will be throughout the years as she grows up!
Even when the sun started to set and it was too chilly or dark to get in the water, Lily didn't want to leave. And I'd always heard that once you have a baby with you at the ocean, you don't get to relax, you just have to watch them constantly to make sure they are okay and don't get into trouble, but with Michal & I taking turns keeping an eye on her, this vacation was so nice and so comfortable because we were able to relax and it made us so happy to see Lily happy!
The only parts of the city we got to see were from the comfort of our rental car. We just had fun being beach bums and watching the crazy tourists who were frantic about making it to their cruise ships.
Both Lily & I were sad when we bid adieu to Daddy for his work to officially begin on Monday morning. I (secretly) was dreading the flight home. Not because of Lily, but being pregnant and having to go to the bathroom All. The. Time. I didn't know how I could do it with a toddler who wouldn't be happy if I left her alone.
However, I got really lucky on both flights.
On the first flight we had an empty seat next to us. The only one on the whole flight! So Lily was able to sit in her own seat and watch her "show" on the iPad.
On the second flight, we lucked out again, and a nice passenger who sat next to us, went and took another unoccupied seat so that I could have two seats (side by side) to make traveling with Lily easier. She was out cold before we even took off.
Both flights I was the last passenger on the plane to board, and the last passenger to un-board the plane. Which made it nice because then the flight attendants knew who I was and were extremely helpful and kind in giving my little girl ample attention to make sure she enjoyed her trip. I could write a wonderful raving review about how kind they were. I mean, the pilot even let Lily into his little 'pilot-area' and let her push all the buttons she wanted (and you know how much little kids love to push buttons). It is sad that we don't get this kind of customer service anymore, and it's even sadder that it goes unrecognized and unthanked. But I want to thank each flight crew for making flying fun and easy with a toddler, because compared to other children on flights we've been on.. Lily is an angel and totally dispels any stereotype about flying with fussy children.
Thank You Michal for letting us tag along with you and having a blast in Miami! We can't wait to go to the Beach again soon!
PS - Lily got to meet Lady Gaga. Maybe one day I'll find a picture that some crazy fan, somewhere, took of Lily meeting this Music Icon.
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