The Not So Redneck Riviera

Thomas and I took Virginia to the Redneck Riviera (aka Panama City Beach, Florida) in late July for a vacation with Mimi and Papa. We hadn't flown in a plane with Virginia since January of this year - our longest stretch of non-flying yet - so we didn't know what to expect from Virginia at this age and stage. We were beyond pleasantly surprised to find that things had gotten much easier. We borrowed GayGay's iPad, and Virginia was entertained by Dora the Explorer and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes for much of the trip. Thank you, Steve Jobs! She also enjoyed ample snacks from the flight attendants (Biscoff cookies and Ben & Jerry's - Delta rocks for having ice cream aboard its flights). She didn't nap, but that was to be expected.

As you can probably imagine, the beach was a hit. Panama City is a lot nicer than when I was a kid due to a lot of redevelopment. We stayed at Aqua which is a nice high rise resort where my dad and his friend share a condo. Virginia spent many hours in the pool, playing in the sand, and even jumping major waves with daddy in the Gulf. We hit up the Back Porch for dinner,Pier Park for shopping, and Miracle Strip at Pier Park for amusement park rides. Virginia ate lots more ice cream and also chowed down on her first crab claws (we told her to "bite and slide" and she got a big kick out of it).