Take for example yesterday. Late in the afternoon I decided to take Coleen for an outing in the park. However, when we arrived at the dinghy dock our plans were quickly changed when she saw the manatee next to the dock! It was our first up close and personal encounter with a manatee - and it was way cool! He was about 12 feet long and was having a wonderful time scratching his back on the underside of the dinghies at the dock. He would even come up close and let us scratch his back and pat his head. We ended up playing with him for about an hour --- and in case you are wondering --- they feel like a fish - but with no scales.
On Saturday Coleen had two birthday parties to attend. One was at the beach - complete with hula skirts, pinata and cake. The adults played a little volleyball while the kids ran around like wild ones. Unfortunately a rather huge storm blew through towards the end which sent us all rushing for cover under the eaves of the restroom building -- where we actually managed to light candles, sing happy birthday and eat cake -- all while standing inches from ta blinding rain! I'm sure it's a party the little girl will never forget!
No sooner did we leave that party than it was time for another one - this time at the tikki hut near the dock. I left Coleen on her own for that one - and did laundry and hung out in the TV lounge watching the Florida/Alabama game with a bunch of other folks.
We did a bit of shopping on Sunday - found a great dollar store and then had a cookout at the beach with some friends, topped off with smores! It was a glorious day - perfect weather, an amazing sunset over the water!
Now here's something weird about this place that my friends from Oklahoma will appreciate - no flies, no mud daubbers, no mosquitoes and no SPIDERS! I haven't had the screens in once since we arrived!