Return from paradise

We have been planning our big family trip to Florida for many months now.  We had hoped to go last year but it just didn't work out, so we vowed to make it a go this year.  Jason's dad and step-mom are snowbirds and we have been chomping at the bit to get down to see them for a long time.  The last visit we had there Lucas was 7 months old.

Gettting Sophie on a plane required alot of planning and thinking about what we would need and what we had to be ready for if something didn't go as expected.  I am happy to say that everything went great.  We had a great trip down and back, and of course the in between was what we did it all for and it was amazing.  Sophie was a fantastic traveller and didn't complain about the long days much at all.  Our trip down was 12 hours and the trip home was about 10 hours. 

The weather gods were on our side and we had gorgeous weather every single day.  It was perfect.  Beautifully warm in the day and cooled down at night for sleeping.  Seeing the sunset behind the palm trees each night was definitely something I could get used to. 

Lucas was in heaven with the pool right there, he waited about 10 minutes after we arrived the first night before he begged to go in.  He was pretty much in there if we were home for the rest of the trip.  I had to check for fins.  Sophie loved it just as much and it was so easy to get her in and out without having to pack her into the car or her wheelchair, we were truly spoiled.

We had a great day on the boat even though we didn't see any dolphins or manatees this trip.  Sophie wasn't too sure what to think of the boat, she was very quiet but happy.  Lucas was interested in the GPS especially when it showed all the swamps we were going by and his Opa was happy to explain it all.

We had one big day of travelling while we were in Florida and that was for a trip promised to Lucas.  Disney was just too far to travel at over 4 hours away, so we decided that Busch Gardens would be a great compromise.  And it delivered.  Lucas asked to go back every day until we left Florida.  We will definitely go back next time we are down there.  There weren't many rides that Sophie could go on, but there were a couple and the shows in the Sesame Street village were a hit for her.  Sophie went on the carousel, she wasn't too sure about all the spinning but she made it through.

 Lucas with his Nana

Everything was very accessible, we were getting on the train here to go through the animal safari part of the park.  Sophie's ticket to get into Busch Gardens was half price as was one of our adult tickets as her caregiver.  It was a nice surprise. 

 

Sophie thought she was in heaven when Elmo and Big Bird came up to us while we were strolling through the park.  Then we went to see their big show and she was mesmerized.  They made her feel very special there and I was so happy for my girl to be able to see her favourite characters up close again.

Lucas went on all the water rides with his Opa and with Jason and I went on all the rollercoasters with him.  Our absolute favourite was the Cheetah Hunt.  It is a new ride at the park and definitely one of the best I have ever been on.   You go from 0 to 60mph in 3 seconds - just like a Cheetah.  :Lucas has my love of roller coasters so it was fun trying them all out.

We had a fantastic day at the park, it was definitely worth the trip and we will be back.

More tomorrow....