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Organization

Atlantis Bahamas

Having kids and becoming really busy can stop you from traveling as much….. IF you let it! That IF is the key there. Last year I vowed to myself that I was going to make an active effort to seek adventures and we would not just be going to the same places for vacation because it is easy… AND I would be more active about planning trips for the family! Last summer we had our first trip to Disney (which I just realized I never blogged #totalfail), New Year Eve’s Jeremy and I slipped away with some friend for a ski trip out west, and then Roman just turned 8 and I asked him does he want a party or a trip. He seriously hesitated and then said I want to fly on a plane. Roman has flown on a plane but doesn’t’ remember it and August has never flown, and Atlantis bound we were. Planning trips takes time and organization of goals and funds(I mean this stuff isn’t free) to make them happen and honestly having the vacation planner in my Start Planner has helped me to write things down and not just wishing I was going on a trip, but actively making trips happen!

You will notice in the pictures that Silas the baby is not in them. SUCH a hard decision but after going to Atlantis it was the best decision. He would have ended up spending his time in a stroller a lot and it would have held Jeremy and I back from investing in the older boys(but we will go back baby boy!). One downside of Atlantis, which I am sure just a safety measure is if your child is under 48 inches (which August is) none of the bigger slides they will be able to do, so make note.

Atlantis Bahamas was beautiful! The sparkling bluish/aqua water, perfect weather, and it was the perfect place the take a family. Probably the best thing was investing quality time with my boys and even better was seeing my boys spend quality time playing together and not fighting with each other. Everyone keeps asking… was it worth it? YES! When we arrived on the island I of course turned my phone on to update family we made it and couldn’t get my phone to work… Jeremy’s either. Well guess what…. Verizon has no towers on this island… so zero service. We only had wifi when we were in the room and to be honest no cell phones, kids ipads, or anything outside of the room was just what we all needed. Perfect way to disconnect! We had a “big car” pick us up from the airport to surprise them. August thought we had a playground pick him up.

First day we spent the day the day at the beach. Chasing and riding waves. Until one snuck up on August and gave him a run for his money…. Then he decided to just play in the sand for a bit.

Second day we started tackling the waterslides at Atlantis. Roman did every single slide here! I was so impressed! He even did the leap of faith.

Third day we decided to change it up and take an boat to a deserted island to swim with dolphins. We got to swim with a dolphin named Salvador. We also danced, kissed, rubbed, and hugged on that boy. It was seriously one of the highlights of the trip! SOOO fun! The island was so neat! In the lagoon they even had an area of activities just for kids.

SOAKING IT UP!!!!

Last day we spent in Altantis hitting any slides we didn’t already ride, morning at the kid pool then August was saying Mommy I so tired I need to “west.” We went up to the room for about an hour to let them “west” then headed back out. August wanted the pool and Roman wanted the beach. It was our last night so we decided to cancel our nice dinner reservations and compromise. We played at the pool all afternoon, threw on a cover up, grabbed a quick dinner at Poseidon’s Table, and walked right back out to the beach. We spent out last night chasing waves. I was looking at them both walking down the beach as the last bit of sun gleamed on their shoulder and I was just overcome with pride. I am so proud of Roman for the young dude he is becoming and I really realized this trip how much he has grown up which is also saddening. August I mean that boys gives me a run for my money but he also has every square in of my heart. He randomly looks at me and says I “wove you mommy”, he loves to be cuddled, and his kisses….. seriously the best! He might look at you like he doesn’t like you or he is made at the world a lot…. But that inside of his is so sweet. This is what travel is about… seeking adventure and memories.