Day 4 and 5: St. Maarten and Sailing

Our final port was St. Marten and we decided to get off the boat and go to the beach to snorkel and swim.  The beach was amazing and the kids loved it.  We spent hours playing in the waves, building sand castles, digging a whole so big we almost buried Michael, and collected sea shells we wanted to bring home.  What we didn't realize was that it was against the rules to bring home sea shells, so they were confiscated at security which led to a brief meltdown by the kids.  The security woman felt sorry for the kids and gave each of them 1 sea shell each.  

Here are some pictures from our time on the beach.

After spending time time on the beach we walked around the island.  Below is a picture of the school house.... much different than our kids' school.

One of the churches open to walk through.

And of course Dad wanted a picture of the court house.

Yep, pretty sure I could enjoy a vacation home here.

Under the pier were huge fish.  Nope, not sharks, but big fish.

Another Gabriel selfie with the fish.

The day at the beach was so much fun, but also exhausting.  Isabelle fell asleep on the taxi boat ride back from the beach.

The back of our ship.

On the beach, Michael and I went snorkeling to find sea shells.  Meanwhile Madelyn loved the waves, until a few of them came and swallowed her.  :-)

Isabelle played in the water

One happy family.

Madelyn started to make this face which I think is SO funny.  She gets this look from her dad. 

Silly Isabelle

The boys designing their tunnel system to bring water to their castle.  It actually worked really well.

Dad captured Madelyn sleeping while we sat under the umbrella.  It was glorious.

Here are the boys beginning to dig their big hole.  

Say Hi Dad!

Yep, there was lots of sun screen applied. I'm sure he'd love the fact I posted this picture. 

The view from my seat.

Dad and his ever growing boys.

That night for dinner we went to eat at a different restaurant and while they had lobster and steak and other amazing food, my kids wanted cereal.  Yes cereal... like 4 bowls each.

Some family shots..

Maddie saying, "But mom, do I HAVE to eat that huge roll?"

A couple family shots I beg for the kids to take with us.  

Before dinner had ended Isabelle fell asleep in her chair.

It was a great day!

As we started sailing back to Florida, we realized (the kids especially) they wanted to stay on the ship for many more weeks!


Until next time,
Angie