No Smiling Allowed

Monday, January 28, 2013

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We have had it UP TO HERE with winter at our house. Officially over the whole lot of it: the snow, the cold, the windchill factor. No thank you.

We've decided we want to go somewhere warm for a little getaway this spring. The thoughts of spending a week on the beach with my two favourite boys is the only thing getting me through this cold snap. We don't know where or when, but there will be sun, sand, boozy beverages (for two of us) and waterproof diapers (for...one of us?)

(PS - if you have any ideas on good, sunny places to travel with a little one, feel free to recommend. We have a couple ideas but are open to suggestions!) 

Before we do too much planning, Peter and I need new passports and Eli needs one as well. Not even the smallest of humans is leaving America's Hat without a passport. And to get a passport, you need a photo. And the Canadian government, who collectively have never had children, requires everyone over the age of SIX MONTHS to be unsmiling and have their mouths closed in their photos.

I'm not sure if you've ever tried to tell a one-year-old to keep his mouth closed but the words do not compute. Maybe our particular one-year-old is just really slow on the uptake. Regardless, we spent about 20 minutes at a Wal-Mart portrait studio on Saturday afternoon, which, coincidentally, is about 20 minutes longer than I EVER want to spend in Wal-Mart EVER EVER EVER IN MY LIFE, with the photographer trying to get Eli to close his mouth for his picture.

Not happening. Camera comes out = kid thinks he's supposed to smile. 14 months of coaxing grins and giggles has taught him well. He would not close his mouth. Straight-up refused. He went from smiling (open mouthed) to struggling (open mouthed).

Parents of babies with passports: what are we doing wrong? We're thinking of bringing a bag of Cheerios or some other small snacks next time to help distract him from smiling. Any other hints?

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10 comments

  1. 1) Fort Walton Beach FL is beautiful and is not a huge spring break destination for high schoolers or college kids (aka family friendly and not as crowded). My family has been there like 6 times and we love it. The weather is perfect in early April. (Although you'd have to fly, super long drive, especially with a little one)
    2) Little spoonful of peanut butter = mouth closed. :)

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    1. Thanks, I'll check out Fort Walton Beach! I like the idea of Florida - just seems safer and "cleaner" and all those things you don't think of until you decide to travel with a little one.

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  2. have you checked the new regulations? A child under 16 has to submit the long form of the birth certificate which states both parents names.

    Other than that - YAY! Travel!

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    1. FFS. They really don't want you to be able to leave the country.

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  3. We gave Topher a couple of gummy fruit snacks - he was too busy chewing to smile :)

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  4. Yay! I can really help you with this! I've had experience in Cuba, Mexico and now the Dominican so I feel like a little travel advisor! You tell me what is important to you on your travels, and I can tell you where you'll have the most luck. Seriously, I'll break it down.
    We just came back from a beautiful resort that was really young-family-friendly. So many manly men sitting at the pool bar with their kids on their laps and cute Mama's tanning on the pool deck, kiddies playing in the pool and play groups for when the parents wanted to take a romantic stroll. Food was great, beach was fabulous... BUT... few down falls. It all depends on what you're picky about.

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    1. Wonderful! We have only been to the Dominican, same resort both times, so we don't have much to compare it to! Things that are important, hmmm... family friendly, for sure. Good beach, good food, not an agonizingly long drive from the airport, spacious rooms (big enough to fit a playpen comfortably, though we might even spring for a "junior suite" type situation so Eli could snooze in his own area). Obviously cleanliness and safety and whatnot are concerns. I'm pretty sure most resorts have palapa-type structures on the beach for shade, but that would be a must so big E wouldn't be baking in the sun all day. We would definitely need toddler friendly dining, high chair, that sort of thing. So yeah. We're not picky haha. About the only thing we wouldn't really care about too much is the nightlife/bars because we'll be in the room or on the balcony most evenings after the babe crashes. That playgroup idea sounds pretty nice though, in case we want a little break!

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  5. The Florida Keys gets my vote every time! Gently sloping beaches with a decent amount of pina coladas in lots of places! The drive down US1 is amazing too!

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    1. Siesta Key has come pretty highly recommended so it's on the list! Pina coladas sound heavenly today as I watch snow blow by the window.

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