::Traveling with Toddlers:: Part 3- Final Summer Vacation Recap Post

How do you know it's time to wrap-up a Summer Vacation recap? 

When you are ready to move on to your 2nd Summer getaway recap! I am so late on so many blog posts at this point. I am probably going to continue to be late. Making some adjustments outside of my blog, in my everyday life so I have to get it all together and going...but in the mean time... 

Our final vacation recap post! 

Our 5th day was filled with adventure, for sure. It started with our Sea turtle adventures and didn't end there!

::Port Isabel Lighthouse and Museums::

While we waited for our scheduled Pirate ship cruise, we visited the Port Isabel Lighthouse and two small museums in the area; the Port Isabel Museum of History and the Treasures of the Gulf Museum.  The two museums hold so much history and wonderful artifacts. One of them has a great children's area where the kids can explore and even act out their own plays. We didn't plan it so we weren't sure if they had a show and schedule for children but the day we went it was not too busy. We explored and enjoyed it all.  

The Lighthouse gives you the best view of the island. It is hot though and a long walk up the curved staircase. Make sure to wear your walking shoes. And, that you are not scared of heights!

::Pirates Landing Cruise::

I think this was our favorite part but definitely the activity we were least prepared for. Camila and I got sea-sick! Had we known that we were going to get THAT sick, we would have taken something. But, we had fun none-the-less. The Pirate ship cruise was not too costly, the Pirates were so much fun and it's all very entertaining for both the adults and the kids. Sometimes more so for the adults than the kids. 

And, we even got some dolphin watching in! A whole group of them swam by as we were finishing our cruise, perfect way to end our trip. The kids loved it all, minus the whole we got so sick we puked the rest of the afternoon. But, the staff was extra nice and attentive it was all worth it!

We couldn't go without heading for a late night dip in the gulf..... {Our night pictures are a bit blurry and we took them with my Hubby's phone.}

::Wednesday:: Final day...

On our last day in South Padre Island we woke up early, packed up and hit the beach one last time before we went home....

Our trip was fun! I posted about what we could have done better HERE!

Make sure to catch the rest of our trip HERE & HERE!

The Summer is still young and we have since had 2 other fun Summer adventures! Hope to post about them soon.

What have you been up to this Summer? 

::Traveling Texas with Toddlers:: ..... Part 2

On our 4th day in the Valley we made plans to leave McAllen and head to South Padre Island. We have visited the island in the last two years but never stayed the night. This year we decided we would make a nice stop here and explore. We did. We didn't regret it. There was so much to do, we have decided that next year, we need to stay an entire week. It's really worth it. If you plan correctly, you can really divide your time between the beach and an activity, daily. 

I don't know how it happened but my children are some type of hippie beach loving kids, here I am a true hermit. They really do take me out of my comfort zone and into a place of peace. As crazy as that may sound, but it's who we are. Crazy. Regardless of the chaos, we manage to find peace. Just us four, taking it all in. Embracing the moment and loving life. My Husband is the outdoors loving person that I am not. I love that we are so different, we do things that we probably wouldn't do if he didn't push us. 

One of the best things that happened the first day, we went to a souvenir shop for some shirts and sunscreen. The attendant gave us 2 boogie boards with our purchase. Best beach accessory ever. The kids spent the whole time trying to conquer the waves. They had so much fun. They showed their determination and courage. Especially Camila. My little free spirit. Santiago was so happy he took time to mediate on the beach. The first night was great. 

I don't know how or when it happened but by the end of our trip I realized how big my kids have gotten.... 

I cry a little. It's scary that time can just fly by. It makes you want to make time stand still.... 

Day 4-Day 6
::McAllen, TX to South Padre Island, TX::
Monday-Wednesday

::South Padre Island, TX::
Monday Night-Wednesday Morning
Monday night- Beach

Tuesday Morning-
Day 5 
Sea Turtle, Inc.

On our 2nd day on the beach we woke up early had breakfast in our hotel and then headed out for the days adventure. And, boy oh boy did we have an adventure! 

In the morning we visited Sea Turtle Inc. A hospital and conservatory on the island. We learned so much about sea turtles from their birth on the beach to their extinction. It really inspires you to try and help preserve not only the sea turtles but all animals. They are so amazing. How they birth and survive is just a true creation from up above. To know that people dedicate their entire lives to study, learn and wholeheartedly help these creatures is very impressive. 

The admission is on a donation basis, they have a suggest donation. Very affordable. They have a cute little gift shop filled with turtle goodies. We walked around saw some of their open tanks with some of their more recent rescues. Then they gave two small presentation, the first one led by the Executive Director, he was so knowledgeable and you can tell he loves his job. The second was given by one of the Summer Interns for the children, it involved a very elaborate puppet show and participation by the kids. It was a nice experience. The kids loved it. Then they got to feed the hospital's largest turtle; Gerry. 

This was a great activity for the entire family, very affordable and informative. I recommend going. 

    

To be continued! I still have more to share...don't miss the rest of the recap next week!!! 

You can also find us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM & TWITTER where we share daily! 

::Traveling Texas with Toddlers:: South Texas that is.... {Part 1}

This Summer we had a semi-planned trip to South Texas. Our first big road trip of the year. I finally sat down to edit our pictures and write our re-cap! 

Day 1- Day 3

::Houston,TX  to McAllen, TX::

Friday-Saturday/Sunday

Honestly, we loved our trip it was a great South Texas experience and we know that we can make it better every year to come. The main reason we planned the trip the first weekend in June was to be a part of my nieces birthday. We celebrated with Emma and basically visited with family that we had not seen in a year for about 2 days or so.

I grew up very close to my cousins in Reynosa. We visited them months at time, 2 to 3 times a year when we didn't live in the Valley. I want my children to have that same closeness with my loved ones. The same sense of family and love. The same innocent childhood that we all deserve.

On Sunday my parents were leaving us, we had breakfast with them in McAllen finding a lot of good snack and food places! Camila even got to see a lot of Quinceañera dresses. Her favorites. Something that really makes me happy. A tradition that will not end with my generation. My parents left soon after our morning in McAllen, they came back home to Houston. So, we headed over to the South Texas Museum of History, we found it through a brochure at our hotel.

::Edinburg, TX ::

Sunday
South Texas Museum of History

The museum was a wonderful exhibit from the moment you open the door! 

We transformed from Vaqueros to Conquistadores. We learned about our ancestors and how Mexico evolved from Tejas to Texas. The wars, the hardships, and everything in between. Mexico History, Texas History and so much more. Every corner of the museum held a new treasure of  interactive information. It kept the kids entertained and I honestly loved it. Every hallway elaborately and colorfully describing Texas History. Made us wish we lived in the Valley and could go to all of the events! They have so many great ones going on this Summer, make sure you check out their website. 

We loved the hands on, and narratives. Definitely a hidden treasure of the valley. I had no clue we had this museum so glad we found it. My kids truly embraced it all and took it one bit of brain developing information at a time. If you have children of any age, or not, and you are in South Texas, I highly you encourage you to visit this museum. 

Day 4-Day 6
::McAllen, TX to South Padre Island, TX::
Monday-Wednesday

::San Juan, TX::
Monday
Basilica de San Juan del Valle

Part of learning where I grew up and where we come from, has a lot to do with my faith. Being Catholic is something that I feel I haven't taken lightly. I want to instill in my children our faith, our culture and what it all means. I know that by exposing them early on to all of this will help them not only form their own beliefs but shape their future decisions. Even if they don't decide to continue in the religion, I hope that they would at least make informed decisions about what they want to believe in. 

San Juan is a church I grew up going to. The Miracle room is my favorite. The altar is amazing. My life is forever deepened in what I want for my family. I pray. I do. God knows us well. 

Oh and it wouldn't be a vacation without a little tantrum action... yep. We have those moments. We are real. We are not perfect. They ran and cried outside the church. Nice. I know.

To be Continued......