So like I said, it was a good trip.

When we left Virginia on the Saturday morning before Easter, there was a blanket of fresh snow on the ground. By 3pm that same day, we were doing this:

Jealous yet?

We stayed at the Club Med in Punta Cana. I chose this resort because of it’s family atmosphere and wide array of children’s activities. In fact, we stayed right across from the Kid’s Club.

Inside you could sign your child up for their appropriate age group and they would be whisked away by sweet, singing camp instructors to have the time of their lives. (It’s true. I read the brochure.) Activities such as swimming, sailing, rollerblading, basketball, tennis, archery and circus school were just a handful of the delicious choices on the menu. Parents enjoy some quiet time to read on the beach or even get a massage and the kids can make friends to hang out with for the week and never have to utter the words, “Mommy, I’m bored”. Perfectly brilliant, right?

How long do you think my kids lasted?

We dropped them off at 10am Monday morning with the promise to come and check on them at lunch. That would give them 2 activity blocks of time. During those 2 hours, my older daughter chose archery and swimming while my youngest did some dancing and arts & crafts. My husband and I picked frolicking in the clear, blue waters and rating the topless ladies on the beach. Oh, yes. Lots of boobies.

At noon, I walked up to the pool to check on my oldest. Immediately, she began looking sullen and full of woe. She wanted out bad. Had I left her, I truly believe she would have met a friend and been fine…and probably would have had the time of her life like the brochure said. But I’m a sucker. I bailed her out and went to check on #2.

My youngest is not shy. She did not put on a pathetic-please-release-me face like her big sister. When she saw me approaching her outdoor dance class, she began to wave her arms frantically and yell, “Mom!!! Dad!! Hey! Wait!! Can I come with you guys?”

I sprung her too and that was the last of the Kid’s Club for us. I guess I should not be all that surprised that my darlings are anti-organized activities. You didn’t catch Mommy or Daddy doing anything with the flock either…not that that’s a bad thing.

So what did we do? We ate - a lot. We snorkeled, swam, played in the sand, walked, talked and ate some more. By mid-week my clan was tiring of our simple schedule (not me - I am a born and bred beach bum) so we signed up for 2 excursions for the following days.

Thursday, we went to Manati Park in Bavaro. This was like no zoo I had ever been to. Talk about hands on…as soon as we paid our admission and walked through the turn style, we each had either a parrot on our head or a snake placed around our neck while they took our picture. It was quite a production.

First off, the kids got to swim with the dolphins. It was the.coolest.thing.ever.

They both got wet kisses.

Following that adventure, there was a dolphin and sea lion show. It was really entertaining. I think my husband and I enjoyed it more than the kids. Funny that happens, huh?

Next stop was a walk with the iguanas.

It was crazy to take a stroll through their home. The little guys were everywhere…kind of like the deer are here - except they don’t run as fast.

Following a good hand washing, a parrot show and hearty lunch of pizza and El Presidente beer (I now love this beer), it was time for the final event - the horse show.

Yep, there I am - wedgie and all. They picked me from the audience to participate in the show. I had no idea what they were going to have me do and since there was a slight language barrier, I really was flying or riding blind.

The guy had me get on this little horse/pony (I have no idea) without a saddle and without reigns. He motioned for me to hold on to the mane and then started us running…or galloping. I have to tell you that I really thought I was going to fall off. My thighs have never squeezed so hard in all of my life. I think the only thing that kept me on was my fear of having to be taken to the hospital out there in the scary jungle. No thank you.

The last full day, Friday, we went on a shopping excursion. This was the only day that was not fun. It was downright frightening, actually. The bus took us to an outdoor plaza where there were many shops and restaurants and said to meet back in 3 hours. On most days, that woudn’t be enough time to buy a good pair of shoes. Here though, we were ready to get back on the bus after 10 minutes.

Besides the many men with machine guns that we passed on our drive in, the plaza breezeways were lined with people shouting at us and harassing us to go inside to shop at their stores. Normally, I don’t even enjoy a simple “Can I help you with something?” but this was more like the Fight Club of sales tactics.

Yuck. And scary. We made out alive though and with all of our children and fingers so I guess you could call it a successful shopping trip.

The next day we headed back to freezing Virgina well rested and golden brown.
The end.

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