Sunday 4 March 2012

Storytelling Sunday-The Perfect Holiday

When DD1 was 13 she was invited on holiday with her best friend.......nothing too unusual there you might think.......but we live in the UK.......and her friend's dad lived on a yacht in Fort Lauderdale marina.....half a world away.....and they weren't going for a week.....they were going for 7 weeks!!!
It was scary......we weren't sure we wanted her to go......let alone if we could afford for her to go......but she was sooooo excited.....that go she did.
She swam in the ocean.....rowed all over the marina.....hung out on the beach.......visited world famous theme parks......ate too much 'regurgitated' food [her term for McDonalds, not mine!]......gained an American accent......and generally had far more freedom than she would have had at home.
She had a perfect holiday.
DS was delighted she'd gone......it meant his friend could come on holiday with us......to a large holiday park in Devon......right on the beach.....with loads of on-site activities.....and because he was 15....and there were 2 of them.....for the first time he was allowed to do more or less as he wanted during the day.......which mainly consisted of messing about on the beach.....and chatting up girls.
He had a perfect holiday.
Which left us with 8 year old DD2......so our activities were planned round her......watching a puppet theatre.....feeding animals on a farm......building sandcastles.......going to the funfair.....I recall  pedaling round a boating lake in a large swan!! All things that would have bored her teenage siblings silly.
She had a perfect holiday.
And because they all had perfect holidays......so did we!!!
[And the reason there are no photos of DD1's holiday......is not because she didn't have a camera.......but because she was far too busy doing cool things to remember to take photos!!!!!]
This is my post for Sian's Storytelling Sunday.......read more stories here.

32 comments:

Amy said...

Sonds like a great holiday all round! I remember the first time I didn't go away with my parents when the other kids did, I felt so grown up - the thing is, these days we all try and take holidays together!

Jane said...

I can still remember the holidays as the children grew up, my poor youngest had to put up with me still wanting to build sandcastles!

Amanda said...

That sounds like quite an experience now why didn't l have friends like that.

Jimjams said...

That sounds like the perfect mix! What an experience for your daughter though - very brave and exciting and definitely cool!

Anonymous said...

How brave of you to let DD1 go off for 7 weeks at only 13 but that is the sign of a fabulous mum - one who puts there children's needs before their own x

Miriam said...

When our children are happy, we are happy. You were so brave to let your young daughter go, I'm glad you all had such wonderful holidays, it was meant to be...

Anonymous said...

Love this! What fabulous family memories built and recorded.

Gem's Crafts said...

It sounds like the perfect holiday for everyone :)

Alison said...

It sounds perfect indeed...when I think of the squabbling that went on, on family holidays when I was young, I feel so sorry for my mum and dad..couldn't have been much fun for them!
Alison xx

Becky said...

Great holidays for everyone! Lucky lucky DD1 though!

Sian said...

Wow! Happy memories, eh? I just love how your story today shows that holiday fun comes in all shapes and sizes! Thanks Jacky, I like this story very much.

Karen said...

What a great story! I was always happy to take along a friend or two when we were vacationing as it assured happy children!

Maria Ontiveros said...

Such a good reminder that kids at different ages and stages of their life need different things on holiday. Seven weeks! That's such a long time - good for you for letting her go for that long.
Rinda

furrypig said...

My DD is 13 and I would hate for her to be away for 7 weeks but like your DD I know it would be a great opportunity and she would love it. I agree if the kids are happy I am happy and it means I have the best holiday.

Mitralee said...

very lovely!

Ruth said...

Just goes to show that there is no such thing as one-holiday-fits-all. I'm not sure that I'll be letting The Boy Child go off on holiday for 7 weeks at 13 ...

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Lovely pics of happy memories Jacky....There is nothing better than seeing your children happy..
Hope you have a great week,
Susan x
P.S Love your header!

Irene said...

How wonderful to look back on all your many wonderful holiday adventures that year and what a lucky daughter to have such an amazing experience at 13. Love how you have weaved the story around the photographs.

pinky said...

Lol brilliant story. Lucky daughter, hope she appreciates how good her parents were lol.

Sabrina DS said...

Lovely holidays. it's a good that you let your child go. It must have been fun!
Cheers from France

Lou said...

sometimes it can be hard to please everyone - this holiday sounds perfect all round. You were very brave to let you daughter go away for that long!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

What a lovely adventure for all of you, Jacky. And it makes for a great story for today!

Sandra said...

Sounds like you all had a great holiday

Ginger said...

great photos and story Jacky! What a great opportunity for DD2 and it sounds like everyone had a fabulous vacation!

Ginger said...

I meant - DD1!!

Susanne said...

It sounds like everybody was happy with their amount of freedom over the holiday plans - oh, but don't you miss those days when they all wanted to ride around in swans with you.

Melissa said...

Well it certainly does sound like it was a perfect holiday for everyone! Great storytelling.

scrappysue said...

What a great story Jacky, and brill that your DD was able to have that sort of experience. There's nothing better than holidays that everyone enjoys! x

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a perfect summer for everyone. Wow - 7 weeks away - you were definitely a brave Mum.

Jo said...

Wow, it really does sound like everyone had a perfect holiday

Amy said...

That sounds like the ideal situation! It must be difficult juggling activities to suit teenagers and younger siblings. I have to admit I'm most jealous of the 7 week Florida trip though! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

WOW ... three kids who all had perfect holidays. That must be a miracle! It does sound like everyone had a great time!