Atlantis Vacation

In February, the boys and I tagged along with Curt to a radiology conference at Atlantis, the much-advertised resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.  The timing couldn't have been more perfect with the conference overlapping with Presidents' Day, so the boys' schools were already out of session for 2 1/2 days.  We stayed at The Reef, which is set away from the main resort area and has a private beach.  The weather was sunny and warm (upper 70's-lower 80's)--simply gorgeous!  Plus, two other radiologists from Springfield and their families with kids of similiar ages attended the same conference, which made the vacation even more fun.  The following photos (tons of them, I know!) were taken by us, our friends, or professionals at the resort.

Aerial view of Atlantis (at least part of it)--The Reef is the tall hotel in the back.

 Views from the balcony of our suite...

On our first full day, we spent the morning at the beach before Curt had to go to meetings.

Cole (sitting) and Ethan playing in the sand

After lunch, the kids enjoyed the Splashers Kids Pool--a favorite!

Cole hopping over the slides

 On our walk to dinner, the kids stopped for a photo on the throne of Atlantis.

Caden and Olivia

Cole and Ethan

We had to walk through the shopping area and casino to get to dinner.  Cole was thrilled to see a store named after him.

After dinner at Carmine's (a family-style Italian restaurant), the kids had fun dancing and playing along with a  street band. 

Cole

Caden and Cole (I just tried not to think about head lice and enjoy the moment!)

Sleepy Kieran wanted a turn too.

We walked through The Dig, an aquarium at the Royal Towers on the way back to the hotel.

Olivia, Caden, and Cole checking out the flat, shiny fish

Caden and Olivia

We started our second day at Grotto Pool after a long (but necessary) wait at Starbucks. 

Caden (who didn't really need his life jacket in this pool, but he felt better with it) and Olivia

Cole (floating) and Ethan

After meeting up with the dads, we headed over to the slides at the Mayan Temple.

Caden, Olivia, Cole, and Ethan watching the sharks swim around the Serpent Slide

The scuba diver asked Cole if he wanted to join him in the shark tank. Cole respectfully declined.

That's Caden and Curt in the tube finishing the Serpent Slide.

Curt going down the Leap of Faith

Cole and Ethan waiting for Caden and Joe to compete on the Challenger Slides

Caden is on the left and seems to be in second place.

Back to the Splashers Kids Pool...

Cole and Caden

Caden (in black) getting splashed by the big water bucket

Cole enjoying the pool

Cole and Ethan taking a break for stickers and snacks

Kieran's afternoon nap location

 Back to the beach...

Caden working on his sand castles and tide pool

Cole gathering very wet sand

Cole walking on the slimy rocks

Cole enjoying the balcony before dinner at Chop Stix

Day 3...

Cole, Caden, and Ethan patiently waiting to hit the pool

Our first stop was the Mayan Temple Pool.

Caden (in blue) and Cole (in green)

Cole having fun on the water slides

Caden

Not only does Cole have a store named after him, but he has a palm tree named after him too. (Look closely) 

After our morning at the Mayan Temple Pool, we headed to Dolphin Cay (pronounced "key") to hang out with the dolphins.  With the boys' young ages, we opted for the shallow water interaction this time.  So cool! 

In our wetsuits and ready

Our dolphin was Tamara, who was 27 years old. Kieran was VERY unsure of getting so close to a dolphin, but he thought it was cool to toss a ball to Tamara.

 During our turn with Tamara, we each got to give her a kiss and hug.  Plus, we taught her a trick.

Caden taught Tamara to bob her head when he pumped his fist.

Cole reeled Tamara in like he was fishing.

Tamara thought Curt deserved a splash after his kiss.

Amazed to be touching a dolphin!

The boys thought this lily pad area was pretty.

Photos on the beach before dinner at Mesa Grill


Ethan, Cole, Olivia, and Caden

Our family

Our last full day of fun and sun

Cole and Ethan enjoyed the small slides at the Ripples Kids Pool.

While Caden and the dads went on water slides, the rest of us walked over to the lagoon.

Olivia, Ethan, Cole, and Kieran

Cole and Olivia watching sting rays

Cole back to water sliding--LOVED them!

Caden loved the water slides too. He was lucky enough to go on some of the big water slides with Curt and Joe since he is over 48 inches tall.  Cole will have to wait until next time to try the bigger slides.

Kieran had so much fun in the water--walking around, splashing, dumping water, and going down the small slides.

Happy water baby!

Kieran at Funshop

At the end of January, Kieran started Funshop, a park district program for toddlers and preschoolers.  It is basically playtime for a parent and child.  What is great about Funshop is being able to play with different toys and new friends, make a craft, listen to a story, and sing some songs outside of our home once a week for 1 1/2 hours.  On Kieran's first visit, he seemed overwhelmed and was very cautious when we entered the large playroom.  I think he was afraid that he was being dropped off.  Plus, he had so many choices of activities; he didn't know where to start!  As soon as he spotted the basketball hoop and a basket of balls, he warmed up and had tons of fun. 

Peeking into the room where circle time is held

Having fun in a playhouse

Playing peek-a-boo with Mommy through the playhouse window

Any toy that involves balls makes Kieran very happy!

In the rice and bean boat, which was a favorite of Cole's

 

Photos from Caden's basketball season

Here are a few photos from one of Caden's basketball games...He is #5. Caden has made a lot of improvements and had a lot of fun this season. He has a great coach and team! They have only lost one game! 

Kieran at 17-18 months

Kieran has made many new discoveries and grown up so much. Time is going by too quickly!

Baby Buzz Lightyear

Empty boxes + Kieran = Christmastime happiness!

Kieran on the fireplace pressing the star on top of the Little People Christmas tree over and over and over again

Listening to a Tag Reader story

Doing three of his favorite things all at once...sitting in a basket, reading a book, and throwing a ball

Loving his new chair from Grammy and Grandpa

17 months

Being goofy with his favorite book (Goodnight Moon) before bedtime

Begging/whining to be picked up while Mommy is making dinner, which is why the paci was placed in his mouth

Enjoying a McD's cheeseburger (not his first time either)

Playing Elefun with Caden, Cole, & Nana

Walking his puppy (or watching someone else walk his puppy) is another favorite activity.

18 months

Checking out sock monkey's teddy bear

Big hug for sock monkey

So much is new for Kieran...finally crossed the 20-pound mark, says several words (Ma, Dada, Papa, Na for Nana, ball, boon for balloon, gee for geese, keekee for kitty, hi, bye, eee for eat, and more that we haven't quite figured out yet), signs some words (more, please, and change diaper), loves playing hide-and-seek, leans in for a kiss when asked, survived his first ear infection, waves good-bye and then pretends to go to sleep, likes to clean up and put everything in its proper place, thinks spinning and climbing are fun, asks to give cat treats to Mia (which she appreciates), tests us and purposely gets in trouble, can have a pretty good temper tantrum (screams, throws self down, and walks on his tiptoes), fascinated by light switches, cannot get enough of playing with any type of ball, starting to watch bits of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, requests "So big!" from his family, and follows simple directions.  We're constantly amazed at how much Kieran knows and understands!  More fun to come...