roadtrip to the ALLIGATOR FARM!

Our first day in Florida, we decided to drive down south to the Alligator Farm in Homestead, FL. It did not disappoint. There were only a handful of people there, and I believe we were the only ones under 60. They got a ton of attention, sat front row for all the shows, got to hold the baby alligators and wrap snakes around their necks, feed the catfish & turtles and even eat alligator tail!  It was a great day and perfect weather.  Definitely worth the drive... (and not too expensive.  I think it was around $100 for our family to spend the day there.)

The only video I took was at the alligator show.  And the only reason I pulled out my camera was because it went all wrong.  Instead of performing, the alligators kept running back into the pool in the back.  This poor guy had to drag them out of the pool to finish the show like five times.  and it was SO entertaining to watch.  He didn't have a microphone, and even though we were on the first row, you can barely hear him. The first video is him pulling the alligator out again BEFORE the demonstration even started.  At the end of this first clip he says, "Show's over!"  He really worked up a sweat.  Just after this second video ended he said, "This is why I should have stayed in school."  And then pointing to my boys he said, "You kids go to college so you don't end up dragging alligators by their tails all day long."  What he doesn't realize is that is one good reason NOT to go to college.  Who wants to study when they can play with real live Gators??

We also took an airboat ride out in the Everglade alligator swamps.  While on the ride, I felt like I was taking too much video, but now I wish I would have taken more!  There were alligators all around the boat.  My favorite was a very protective mama with several babies swimming around here (just a few inches long!)  But I was too busy watching with my mouth open to take any pictures or video of them.  This is what I do have:

Things to remember about our day:

• Ro LOVED the airboat ride, as long as she was facing us :)  Simon would not get off the boat and wanted to go again.  I had to sit down and explain that it would cost us too much money to pay for another ride.  The rest of the trip, he would say, "When I grow up and turn 17, I will pay all my monies to go on that fast boat."  So cute.
• Our boat tour guide was also named Luke.  He looked like a surfer dude and was hilarious.  He was born with only one hand (the other was a stub).  He told our kids an alligator ate his other hand and my boys believed him.  
• Ben and Luke's hair was cray cray after the airboat ride.  We laughed so hard when they took off their earphones.  Ben tried to fix his asap, but I was able to get a few pictures...  (it was crazier in person.)
• We saw a very rare bird in the swamps.  Luke, our guide, said it never comes out and is endangered. I can't remember anything else about it, including it's name, but I snapped a picture of it.  It was just a few branches away from us.
• All day Simon was begging us for a $5 Popsicle all day and I would NOT buy it for him.  I told Aaron that he would take two licks and let it melt all over his (only) shirt.  Aaron caved and bought it for him anyway.  He took two licks and let it melt all over his (only) shirt.   

a few notes about the road trip...

The drive back to Ft. Lauderdale was LOOOOONG.  It was raining and there was lots of traffic and the last hour turned into 3 or 4 hours.  Thankfully, we had our vacation soundtrack to listen and dance to.  And I am so grateful my kids are great travelers.  This video isn't exciting at all, but it's the only footage I have of us in the car.  Natasha Bettingfield has come away with the theme song for both Ft. Lauderdale vacations..  I think her album "pocketful of sunshine" sums up how we feel about Florida and the beach. Lady Gaga, Adele, Michael Buble, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Sugarland, Chris Brown, Black Eyed Peas, Gotye & Adam Lambert also made the soundtrack this trip.  If you want a copy of our CD, let me know and I will mail it to you :)  Those songs will always remind me of this awesome trip with my awesome kids.

*I booked the car rental and Hertz wouldn't let Aaron drive because the reservation wasn't in his name (We had to pay $15 more per day.. no thanks.)  I was so bugged.  I NEVER drive when we roadtrip.  Aaron is the best driver (fast and cautious).  I am so much better with the kids and I have become a pro at giving directions.  But this trip was hilarious because we learned to appreciate each other's roles.  Let it be known that I am a crazy driver and Aaron is terrible at giving directions.  But we didn't get in a wreck and eventually we got to where we needed to be.  Fun memories.