April 1, 2009

• Four Generational Trip to Florida

   

  A little over a month ago, my mother called me with a proposal. What if she would fly to Jacksonville, FL, and I would pick her up from there, then we would travel together to Sarasota for a week with my grandmother [her mother]? I thought it was a wonderful idea, since I had wanted to spend some time with Grandma but didn’t know how I would be able to drive down by myself with a little toddler, Ben not being able to take off of work for an extended amount of time. So Ben and I talked about it, and decided that it was a great plan!

  I left rather in a whirlwind, on a Monday morning after having a good weekend with overnight guests for several nights, drove to Jacksonville, and from there to our final destination.

  This was such a special week for all of us – four women! I suppose Zoe’ counts in the ‘women’ category! But especially special since I no longer live in the same area as my mother and grandmother. My mother is the firstborn of her family, I am the firstborn of mine, and Zoe’ is the firstborn of our little family. Zoe’ is also the first great-grandchild on my side of the family, and I was thrilled that Zoe’ would be able to spend some time with both Nana and Grandma Susan.

  At Millie’s Cafe, one of the best breakfast joints in all of Florida – at least in my opinion!

  

  I feel like I’ve gotten to know my grandmother as a friend only in the past few years. My grandfather and I were always so close, and then when he passed away several years ago, I realized I wanted to learn to know my grandmother in the same way as well. She is a dear, soft-spoken woman, although she can be a firecracker at times you least expect it! She has been amazed at how pregnant women are on the go so much these days. In her generation, expectant mothers spent 6 weeks at home before the due date, and 6 weeks at home afterwards! I remember when we were living in PA for a few months around the time of Zoe’s birth, and I actually happened to be at my mother’s house when my contractions began. Grandma walked in and I was talking to her when I suddenly had a strong contraction. I was bent over, trying to relax through it (and I was just about to head to the birthing center, for those who care!), and Grandma was in sheer amazement that I was *there* at my mom’s house and *not* at the hospital! I explained to her that I *was* going to leave directly, with someone else driving me, but she just shook her head and walked off, declaring to her, “It’s just a different generation!” And though I was in the middle of a contraction, I just burst out laughing at her chagrin!

  

  I was excited to be spending time with both of them, and was just as excited that Zoe’ was going to learn to know both of them much better. At her little age, she has remembered them for some time when I speak of them, but I think they were more faces to her than actual people. So a full week spent with them was wonderful! She fell in love with both of them, and would ask for Nana in a croaky morning voice as soon as she woke up! So precious!

  It was a simply perfect week to be in Florida. The weather was warm, but not hot. So we spent a few days at the beach, enjoying the beauty of it all. After two days at the beach, Zoe’ started asking to go! “Beach? Beach?” she’d say. She was a little daredevil, had no fear of the water or waves or anything. When she’d go out too far and the waves knocked her down, she’d come up sputtering but giggling, and go in again. I had to keep a close eye on her.

  I found this absolutely darling little swimsuit at Target… Love how it looks like a little dress!

  

  

  

   

  And crocs… I was never a big fan of crocs, but when springtime came this year, and Zoe’ was getting her shoes so dirty outside, I was delighted when I found this little pair. They are simply wonderful outside! When they get dirty, all I have to do is hose them down and they’re ready to go for the next time out. And since we’ve seen how great they are, both Ben and I now have a pair! But only for gardening. I still declare I will not be seen in town in crocs!

  

  Bare feet bliss…

  

  

  We spent several evenings at the park as well. Or perhaps I should say, my mom and Zoe’ went to the park several evenings. Mom would tell me to stay and rest my pregnant body while she played with Zoe’. That won Zoe’s heart like nothing else!

  There are few things that make this little girl as happy as a playground! Giggles abound here!

  

  The underducks are her favorite, and she giggles until she almost can’t laugh anymore!

  

  My mother, fearing for Zoe’s safety, as she climbed to the top and slid down the curly slide on her own initiative, thinking it was hilarious that Nana was so concerned about her.

  

  We ate most of our meals in Grandma’s home, so simple but so delicious!

  Salad with Italian Chicken Strips

  

  Grandma’s newly-remodeled living room, with a gorgeous oil painting by my uncle Freiman Stoltzfus!

  

  Some parting shots… It really is hard to know how to pose gracefully when you’re very pregnant…

  The Four Generations, which my mom and grandmother proudly told anyone that cared to know!

  

  Nana and Zoe’… Zoe’ cried for literally about an hour after we said goodbye at the airport!

  

  Dear Grandma Susan! A wonderful hostess for our week’s stay!

  

  Me and my darling girlie

  

  And on the way back to Jacksonville, we stopped and got Zoe’ what I think is her first ice cream cone! She’s had ice cream before, but not a cone to eat as she pleases. What a happy little child she was!

  

  Of course I had to stop and help her out a bit, which was really just an excuse to have some myself!

  

  

  -CY

   

   

  • 11:38 am
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