As usual, I had to take my kids on the “last week before school starts” summer vacation so I decided on Pensacola Beach Fl. A pleasant 5.5 hour drive from home. Last summer we visited and discovered the Marriott Springhill Suites overlooking the beautiful Gulf with three amazing pools and a great breakfast buffet. Of the three pools is a great kid pool with splashy things and just shallow enough that mom can lay in it while the kids’ frolic in the water. I was lucky enough to get a room with a great view of the pool and beach although we had to wait until 5 pm to check in (4pm Pensacola time).

Day 1. Arrived around 1:30pm change and go straight to the beach. After schlepping loads of gear down to the water, we all jumped in. Megan, Nico and Mateo all had boogie boards and paddled out to catch some waves. We built some sand castles (I still cannot get the sand out of my ears) and searched for sand dollars. (Next post: How you can tell if your kid will be an entrepreneur: tip #1: When he spends his entire vacation collecting sand dollars to sell on eBay… to be continued…). We visited our favorite restaurant Flounders, which has a great playground in the center for the kids to play while the adults enjoy a great meal. After dinner back to the beach to play in the sand and enjoy the scenery.

Day 2. Wake up at 7am (6am Pensacola time) and head down to the buffet, laptop in tow). Mom and the kids head down around 8 and after they eat everything in sight, we get dressed for the beach and set up camp. Lots of schlepping but it was well worth it.

Mateo jumps right in the water and starts to paddle out when I notice a swarm of jellyfish. I called Mateo to get out of the water and grab nicos bucket and start catching Jellyfish. We ended up catching 4 total and an anonymity but we let it go and kept only two jellyfish which Nico thinks he will be taking home for breeding purposes and yes, you guessed it, selling them on eBay, That kid has such a creative mind.

Hung at the beach a while, then the pool and then around 11:30 decided to try Crabs for lunch. We packed up the car and drove about two blocks to a public beach area with a couple of restaurants in front. Crabs happened to be closed so we went to the next place. We all had lunch; it was not that great, but enjoyed the place mainly because of the great music. After we ate we grabbed the beach gear from the car and headed for the waves. Mateo was in the water paddling out ahead of the rest. I was extra impressed with him simply due to the fact that last year he would not even go in the water unless I was holding him. This year (now 4 years old) he is the king of surf. We are calling him “Surfer Dude”. It is quite amazing (all you parents of 3-4 year olds will know what I am feeling now). An hour at the beach and I could tell the boys might be ready for a nap. We packed up the camp and headed back to the hotel. I showered the boys and even put pajamas on them but they were not in any condition to rest. I lost the battle but since we are only here for 2+ days I am fine with them enjoying the beach.

Nico wanted the beach, Mateo wanted the pool, I wanted to compromise. We spent some time in the pool, waited for Megan and grandma to arrive from shopping and then hit the beach (again). We boogie boarded, laid in the water, played in the sand and now I am carrying 80% of Pensacola Beach sand in my hair.

That evening we ordered pizza and then crashed around 9:30 (8:30 Pensacola time)

Day 3: I am sitting on the beach wth my laptop typing this post. It is 8am and I am about to head to the buffet to see if the kids made it down yet. We head home around noon.

Top pick for a family vacation to the beach.
Very kid friendly and not to far from home.
5 stars

Save time at the airport
Move lines at security

OK, it seems that there are some people out there that are traveling for the first time since 9/11 so I feel the need to shed some travel wisdom from the vault.

Top tips for moving through security lines and saving time at the airport

1. Don’t wear a belt if you don’t have too, this is not a place for a fashion statement
2. Wear flip flops if you can – this will enable you to quickly take your shoes off in the security line (and yes, you still have to remove your shoes)
3. Put sandals or shoes with Velcro on the kids – avoid untying and retying
4. Ask someone if you are in the right line if you are unsure.
5. Become an airline club member to speed through special lines.
6. Even if your gate is printed on your ticket, ALWAYS check the listings in the concourse. Gates are subject to change and often times do.
7. Use park-n-ride facilities, they drive you right to the curb.
8. Have your license handy
9. Have your boarding pass handy
10. Prepare to stand in line – bring munchies for the kids.

Good Luck!

South Beach Family Travel Tips

Tip #1. Never, and I mean never, rent a convertible mustang when you are traveling with two children and your mother! (This tip would have saved me from a lot of aggravation…..Enough said)

Tip #2. Repeat tip #1 (because it is so important)

Tip #3. The Palms on South Beach – A 5 star resort hotel on the beach. The rooms were large and beds were very comfortable, the beach was steps away from the pool and the pool bar had great service (food). They even had a couple of Macaws on display that the kids enjoyed.
Nico made a friend and played at the pool while Mateo swam a lot. The pool had hammocks and little areas of sand where the boys spent hours building sand castles. A great deal! Top notch accommodations, highly recommended!

Tip #4. When dining in the deco district on Ocean Drive near 3rd, make sure you ask how much the Sangria is before ordering!!! My mom ordered a glass and it ended up costing $40.00, YES $40.00!!!

Tip #5. Go to the 17th street mall area Lincoln Rd.for a nice night out with the kids. You can walk for blocks in an out door dining and shopping strip and not worry about cars. Great shops and restaurants. Not too pricey. (17th street between Pennsylvania and Meridian)

Oh, very important - do not go to Crandon Park - it was YUK! That is all I will say....