One thing about the kids waking up early, I get to enjoy the sunrise!
We had our first port in Costa Maya
We got off the ship and decided to go hang out at a resort. We got beach chairs in the shade with plenty of sand around. The kids played in the sand and both were SUPER happy which of course makes me really happy.
Playing in the ocean
Snack time (PB &J made on the ship)
We got some pina coladas for the kids
Peter and Max and then Nathan, Maryn, and Emmalyn tried out the Kayaks
Sharing some nachos
Happy in the sand. He still doesn't like walking on it at first but eventually gets over that. There was also a fresh water pool so Max spent some time in that too when he was tired of the salt water.
Such a little Texan - shoving her face with nachos
Maryn is the perfect play mate for the kids - they love her so much!
Entertained with the sand
Snack time - this girl is worn out!
The kids got some bracelets made specially for them.
"Cowboys" and "Maxwell"
Emmalyn got a butterfly
Posing for pics with those in local costumes - Emmalyn was NOT happy about it
She fell asleep at dinner (naps on the beach don't happen at this age like they did a year ago). So I ate my entire meal with her cuddled into me. Not the easiest way to eat but sure fun to enjoy the cuddles.
That night, Maxwell wanted to do Karaoke again so we did. It's tough finding songs that he somewhat knows that are appropriate for his to read and sing because most pop songs that he knows on the radio also have parts that you don't really want your 5 year understanding the true lyrics, you know? He did BOB's "airplanes".
Emmalyn woke up after dinner so we took the kids to see a dance themed show in the theater and both kids really enjoyed it, which I didn't expect.
We are having so much fun and it's really enjoyable to get to spend so much time with the Foote family.
The kids woke up at 6 am (so much for sleeping in on vacation!). We kept them happy in the room by letting them be on their ipads. Finally, at 8 we went and got breakfast. After that, Maryn came over and played with the kids. The neighbors ended up knocking on the wall because they were too loud. That's one tough thing about cruises - it's hard to find good places for kids to just be kids and the rooms are so small.
We took the kids to the kids club as soon as it opened. Then, we all hit up trivia and some of us went to a cooking demonstration. We got in some mini golf too before going to pick the kids up for lunch.
Nap time!
Today was a day of rough seas and was cloudy and cold. I needed a nap too so I stayed with Emmalyn. It took her 30 minutes to fall asleep and then slept forever. At 4 she was still sleeping so I started getting ready for dinner. The adults were going to go to dinner so Taylor was awesome and took the kids to the dining room on his own! (with Preston and Maryn) I was impressed because we hadn't even eaten in the dining room yet. Way to go, Taylor!
Also celebrated Tammy's birthday
It was a really nice dinner in their steakhouse and we were stuffed!
After dinner, we went back to Taylor's room and got all the kids and went to a Hunter Hayes concert. - - So, a few weeks ago Peter started telling me about issues that were happening with this ship. Apparently one of their engines went down and Carnival had to make some adjustments to itineraries. Well, by the time it was our cruise they changed our itinerary. The ship could still function without one of the 6 engines but it just couldn't go as fast. Because of that, they cut out Grand Cayman and Jamaica (Which I was super excited to visit because we've never been there!) And instead, they added a stop in Costa Maya, Mexico. So, we went from 3 ports down to 2 and now both of them were in Mexico. It was a quite a disappointment. To compensate, they gave us a little money to use on board per cabin and also gave us 20% off a future cruise. Hardly compensated in my opinion.
Anyway, another thing they did was this surprise concert with Hunter Hayes. I'm not a country fan so I didn't know who he was but oh well.
Emmalyn was tired and not fully into the concert
In the beginning Emmalyn kept holding her ears but Max was excited about it.
By the end, Emmalyn was dancing, wooing, and cheering and Maxwell fell asleep. :) (Although when he woke up he said he wasn't tired and he only yawned a couple times.)
After the kids were in bed, I went and got some yummy pizza for us.
The next day the kids slept in a little bit later. We again did the buffet for breakfast. We did mini golf until we could go drop the kids off at the kids club.
It was pretty windy
Emmalyn walking along the edge
Emmalyn helping Maryn walk along the edge
The kids having an awesome time at the kids club.
While the kids were playing, I read in the sun and Peter gambled. We picked the kids up and had lunch at the buffet.
mmmm ice cream!
Peter was on Emmalyn nap duty today so I took Max to play in the water. He did the hot tub, slide and pool. He was really excited that he was big enough to do the water slide!
Trying to rinse out the salt water from the pool.
Peter showed Maxwell the ice cream cone section so he asks frequently for some.
When Emmalyn woke up, we took the kids to watch the cruise staff perform the "cat in the hat" and then we played cards with the Footes.
At dinner it was clear the kids were both super tired. Emmalyn barely ate. Max really wanted to go back to the kids club so we let him and put Emmalyn to bed. I ended up getting a call from the kids club and Maxwell is crying and asking for his time (he had asked for 40 minutes) to be done. He said he was afraid, but couldn't tell me why. So, I went and pick him up.
At the kids club, having fun
When I picked him up, he wasn't ready for bed so we went to go find some of the pics the ship photographers had taken
There wasn't much for Max to do at this time so I took him to watch karaoke. After he watched one person, he told me he wanted to do it. I was shocked. I said maybe he could do it tomorrow. But, there ended up being space for someone to go so we came up with a song that he knew ("Ride" by 21 Pilots) and he totally did it - no fear! Who is this kid?!?!
Video - maxwell's first time singing karaoke. So sweet - he was well received by the audience.
He had gotten his face painted at the kids club
After Max was in bed, I went to walk the halls and get my 10k steps in. I'm really trying to be healthy and make good choices and not lose the progress I've had on losing weight. I'm also trying not to eat as much because feeling stuffed is just not fun!
Emmalyn sleeping in her crib (she didn't have much room). I didn't realize how much she talks in her sleep!
Wife, Mom, and Career Woman. Trying to succeed at all three. Enjoy cruising, time with friends and family, and sleeping. Busy life doesn't leave time for as much fun as in the past but that's okay, it's still a good life.
