Just Beachin' It

This past Thursday, we had the opportunity to stay at a resort on St. Pete beach for a night...for FREE! Sirata Resort offered the military one free night during the week of Memorial Day and we were lucky enough to be one of the guests to take advantage of it. We took Riley out of school early on Thursday, just so we could take advantage of the weather and time on the beach.
I didn't bring my camera out on the beach with me that afternoon, mainly because I didn't want to have to worry about it. But, I really should have, because it would have been nice to have pictures of the kids playing in the 80 degree water. It was so warm, that even I got in. And no, I normally don't get in...I can't swim (I know...I know...I'm married to a Coastie and I don't know how to swim), I don't like the waves crashing over me -- so I wouldn't go far anyway, and I don't like stepping on sand that could possibly house something that would sting me.

I got over it, though, and got in with Ryan and the kids. They absolutely loved it. Well, Riley did, until a wave hit her in the face and she swallowed water that made her throat hurt. After that, we spent more time closer to shore and digging in the sand. Ronan could've spent all day running from the hole they dug to the water collecting it and dumping it into the hole. And I could have spent all day watching them.

But then it was time for dinner and we were told by our neighbors to hit up Crabby Bills down the street. We couldn't turn it down, considering we could walk to it...

The food was delish. The atmosphere was relaxing and best of all, it was kid friendly. You can tell by the photos below how much fun the kids had...they didn't whine at all.

I just love these kids soooooo much....

And I had to share this picture of Ryan (even though he said he didn't like it...) because you can just tell how gorgeous his eyes are...it's the reason I married him...(and how presh is Riley?!)

After dinner, we weren't sure exactly what to do. It was still early, but we didn't want to drag the kids back to the beach and do the sand thing again. So, we headed down the road a bit to John's Pass and opted to walk around there. Such a cute little beachy area.

I couldn't resist forcing the kids to pose with the utterly scary pirate outside one of the boutiques along their boardwalk...

And the next morning, of course, we woke to RAIN. The one day we get to sleep by the beach, we can't go to it. Riley was so disappointed. We headed out to breakfast and by the time we had finished eating, the rain had stopped! So off to the beach we went...just wasn't nearly as warm or dry as the day before...

The kids had a good time playing and it was nice to be able to go to the beach and not bring the sand home with us...instead, it's at the resort on the bottom of the bathtub! But a big "thank you" to Sirata for appreciating the military and giving us a night to enjoy what St. Pete beach has to offer!