~THE SPLENDOR RECAP~

I can't find words to describe the amazing vacation we had. Tommy and I had time together, alone, with each child individually, in pairs, and in triplicate. It was the best time ever. We have discovered numerous things about ourselves this trip:

Each and every person in this family sucks at cruising at some point in time

BEFORE: It is Pudgie. He had a horrible breakdown as we were walking the gangway onto the ship the first day and for about 20 minutes after we had boarded. He was awesome after that until Cabo when we boarded the small boat and with it being next to the Splendor he feared we were going to be squished!

DURING: It is my two biggest boys. Jax suffered the most. 4 out of 7 days he got some type of sea sickness. Never, "too bad," but enough to make him lay down one afternoon. Tommy does not do well in tropical storms. Especially after he has eaten breakfast.

AFTER: Binky and I get vertigo after a cruise. So far it has lasted 5 1/2 days and has only subsided a little for me. She has been living with a constant headache since we got home but new medication should fix it today. I was literally unable to stand up the first two days we were home. Tommy and Jax love this feeling on land.

Our entire family agrees that 24 hour room service ROCKS!

I am the only one who could really appreciate 24 hour maid service

I could sleep 24 hours a day on a boat because of the rocking. But only on the balcony with the fresh sea air blowing on me

Brinkley could too if it weren't for the fact that she has to explore every nook and cranny a ship has... even "crew only" areas. (That's my girl!!)

Jax can bargain anyone down on anything.....even stuff he refuses to buy afterwards!

Pudgie is lost without his big brother by his side

It scares me to death how people fall in love with Brinkley and remember who she is after meeting her one time..... and then commenting on her over and over again to me, in the strangest of places...Cabo, a casino, on a beach in Mazatlan, waiting for a cheesburger......

The jewelry Brinkley and I share is so unique people from all over the world offer to buy it because they have, "never seen something like that before!"

Brinkley is my dare devil "off" land. Parasailing was a breeze for her. Jet ski riding freaked her out to the verge of tears for fear of sharks. Zip lining is on our, "things to do list," next time we take this trip!

Tommy and I overpacked. Rephrase.. I overpacked myself, the kids and then Tommy!

We all hate humidity!

The beach is all three crumb-snatchers favorite place on earth to play

I still hate sand, no matter how beautiful the water or area

Jax can sniff out 14kt gold charms if they are within a mile of him!

Pudgie thinks the salt from a margarita is "sgusting" (disgusting) and I have to agree!

Jax loves virgin pina coladas

Jax and Binky are much more aware of the price of things since they had to pick and choose what they could buy, with their own money, on this trip!

Jax understands what it really means to: "want" or "need"

We all realize how fortunate we are to HAVE

No matter where we are, my kids still love to snuggle at night.... even if the three of them are on a twin bed!

A waterslide, on the top of a ship, can be kinda freaky to ride down while in the middle of the ocean

I can't trust anyone to launder my clothes right. I paid to have our laundry done on the ship, only to have it smell like chemicals... so I had to re-wash 13 loads of clean laundry when we got home!

I had no problem letting Jax and Brinkley wander the Splendor together without adult supervision. Tommy had a difficult time warming up to this......and never really got over it!

Talking dirty to slot machines makes people think you are crazy.....even your own husband....until you win over $1500.00 from that "pretty girl...that's right baby...show me the money!!" It probably didn't help I was fondeling it too...

RAIN ON A CRUISE SHIP IS SEXY

Kissing my husband on that cruise ship, in the rain, EVEN SEXIER!

THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY CRUISES THIS FAMILY IS PLANNING TO TAKE!!!

FINALLY:

No matter where we go on vacation as a family, there is still no place like home! (I just wish the maid would come leave little mints on my pillow! Is that really too much to ask?)