Beaches, Turks & Caicos!

We just completed our first family vacation, and oh what a vacation it was! Sure, we've been away with friends and family before, but we've never actually packed up just the 4 of us and gone someplace exotic. Bryson and I thought it'd be the perfect time to do it - before Carter turns 2 and we have to buy him his own ticket someplace. So, even though we knew we'd have hefty, squirmy 28 pound Carter as a lap child, we thought we'd seize the moment.

The view of the Italian pool from our room. The pool the kids liked the most.

So where does one travel with two boys under 4?? Beaches Resort, of course! An all-inclusive, kid friendly, Sesame Street affiliated little slice of Caribbean heaven on Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos. It did not disappoint. There were pools everywhere, a pirate themed waterpark for toddlers, the most gorgeous blue ocean water you've ever seen, Sesame Street characters walking around all day and performing at night, on stage dance parties and limbo contests, and lots and lots of chicken nuggets, french fries, hot dogs, and milkshakes. Needless to say, the boys ate it up. We parents even got to enjoy a night out to dinner while the boys stayed at Camp Sesame drop in daycare. And did I mention it was all inclusive, which meant you could get pina coladas all day every day? Including at the huge swim up bars conveniently located in all of the pools?

After their months of swimming lessons with Coach Katie, I was sure the boys would be well equipped for their water adventures. Carter, who typically cries every swim class, was the most gleeful and jolly ol' soul on the whole island when in the water. He would belly flop with reckless abandon into the pool, crash under the water, and come floating back up with an enormous grin, kicking and paddling like his life depended on it. Brooks, who has recently been really happy during swim class, decided that this new set of pools was very scary and would not go in any further than he could touch. When he jumped in, he did so in the area with 2 feet of water, got wet up to his shins, and barely made a splash. It continues to amaze us what very different children they are.

Outside of the water, Brooks was like a pig in slop. He's so vocal about what he's seeing, reporting on all the new things around him. Before we left, every time we asked him where we were going on vacation he'd exclaim "Beaches Turks & Caicos!" as if it were one long name. While there, we'd say, Brooks where are we? And he'd shout "Beaches Turks & Caicos!" You'd think he was auditioning for a part in one of their commercials.

It was a busy, sometimes chaotic, but all around lovely trip to one of the prettiest beaches we've ever seen. Worth the exhaustion and the perfect amount of time away. It's so fun to see both boys wide eyed and drinking up the joy of a new adventure. And what a fantastic place to spend Mother's Day!

Riding the little trolley bus that took you from village to village on the resort.

Watching the boats and the catamarans.

"Dada, your nose is black!"

The water and sand could not have been more beautiful.

High five-ing Cookie Monster. Super cool.

Running down the beach with the two monkeys.

If you look closely, you'll see Bryson on the balcony of our unit.

Mother/son selfie.

Meeting Grover for a nature walk around the resort.

Pirate Island Waterpark. Boys loved these slides.

Family photo on our snorkeling trip. First time the boys have been on a real boat!

Between the trip to the cheesy family resort you see commercials for on TV and our recent minivan purchase, we truly have become that stereotypical suburban family!!! OY!

Sunset beach frolic on our last night. Total perfection.

King Brooks reigning over his top bunk domain.