A Week of Grandkids

We began with 3 days at the condo Mary and Ryan rented at Englewood Beach. Across the street and a block north was the public beach. I loved the Gulf, and it’s still “of Mexico”, no matter how much our Dear Leader thinks we will call it “of America”.

Bella rode with us, so we stopped by Venice Pier to reconnoiter about finding sharks’ teeth, the main mission of this part of their vacation. Sadly, the road to the best area was destroyed in the last round of hurricanes so it would be a trek. We could, however, rent a scoop, i.e. Florida Snow Shovel, at $10/day and use it right there. No, we could not rent one for several days, 

Information gathered, we drove on south to the Chadwick Cove condo, a 2-story building on the bay. Set up on stilts, the 1st floor (ours) was a 3-bedroom unit. Upstairs were 2 2-bedroom ones. Perfect for various sized families and groups, Ryan’s father and stepmom had arrived but weren’t around. Grant managed the stairs up and settled in for the stay. Bella and I went to check out the beach. I love the gulf.

The next morning, Mary, Bella and I drove to the pier at 8:00 to be sure we’d get one of the few scoops available. We set up camp down at the shore and began sieving for sharks’ teeth. Meh luck, but a beautiful float in the calm, calm waters. Meanwhile, back at the condo, the rest of the old folks snored away. Ryan and Remi walked over to the beach, where Ryan found a handful of teeth just by standing at the water’s edge. We stayed a while longer, then decamped back to the condo and the beach there.

Favorite parts: Bella, after all of her excitement about sharks’s teeth and with all of her knowledge about sharks from seeing documentaries, completely lost interest once she saw the shells on the beach. My little beachcomber. I, on the other hand, sieved for teeth the whole while. I know that megalodon tooth is waiting for me.

Remi, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy standing in the water ankle deep, started to cry when I insisted he float on the noodle and kick. Ten seconds later, he began grinning and proudly stated, “I’m going to sea.” Fortunately, his kicking isn’t particularly efficient, so we could grab the noodle periodically before he got too far. Absolutely no fear being over his head,

Me, when I realized I was squatting while tucking a piece of sea glass in my shorts’ pocket. I had Mary take my picture to record the event. All my exercising has paid off.

Tuesday, more beaching, then we left to get me home in time to attend my watercolor class that evening. Of course, stopped by Woody’s River Roo for lunch. Mary and Ryan came Wednesday, to have plenty of time to be ready for his presentation at a medical conference Thursday, the reason for their trip to Florida. The rest of the week was coming and going, with lots of playing in our pool. Ryan’s mom Katie arrived Friday and swam with the kids. Saturday, after their spending the morning at Disney Springs, she left, and the group returned to our house for more swimming. 

Mary and Ryan had a night out, while we put children to bed in our guest room. They didn’t even wake up when Grant triggered our burgled alarm at 6:00 AM. He’d forgotten he’d set it, and when he went out to drink his coffee on the porch, he didn’t hear it go off. I did, but by the time I got the code in, Steph had already gotten a call from the alarm service, so she called to be sure we were okay. He’d already awakened me with his 3:00 AM vibrating alarm, which he doesn’t hear, to take a Tylenol. Plus the usual nighttime bathroom visits. I’m pretty tired.

Bella is just at the point ready to swim, but still too hesitant. She got so she could float on her own. I think one more day. 

But they had to go home early Sunday morning. No matter how long, not enough,