Blog a la Cart

I’m starting backward by sharing a glimpse at our time in the Keys at James’ parents’ Florida home. We try to visit once a winter (see past trips here, here and here). You’ll see there are some very common themes from year to year. Namely: swimming, ice cream cones, golf carts, fish, pools, air boat rides, alligators, smoothies and bathing suits.

New experiences this year included paddle boating next to Malia and Sasha Obama and their merry band of Secret Service agents (alas, no pictures to prove it). The Obamas were vacationing at the same time and place as us Carts, and while I never saw Michelle or Barack, I was pretty dang excited to have Malia walk by us on the dock and place her hands gently on Courtland’s shoulders to move her aside so she could make it past us without knocking the toddler into the water.

Yeah, I may have started whisper-squealing to the girls who had ZERO idea what was going on. One day I’ll explain the time that we shared an artificial body of water with the First Daughters in big plastic boats.

James and I even snuck in a fancy-pants date night thanks to James’ parents. As James declared 20 minutes in to dinner, “It’s so weird to be able to eat my food at a normal pace. And not have to cajole and shovel bites into another person’s face. Can I feed you a mouthful of your meal to feel more at home?”

hashtagparenthoodproblems

Needless to say, it was a very relaxing couple days in warm weather and sun.