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We enjoyed Christmas in Clearwater Beach this year. At the last minute, we booked a week at the Opal Sands, a new resort on the beach that opened earlier this year. You'll see from the pictures, the view of the Gulf was amazing, and an open door to the water was just what we needed.
We ate well, with Nick getting his bairdi crab at least once. We played pool and had Mexican food at Pan Filo's one evening (a 'family restaurant'.) Post Corner Pizza across the street from the hotel came in handy, particularly on Christmas night when most other places were closed.
Nick built several creatures in the sand, from a crocodile to a snake. His komodo dragon was a huge hit with the Asian families on the beach, who took pictures. We got two good days on the beach, with temperatures fifteen degrees above normal and sun every day. The rest of the time was by the pool, which was so awesome there was no reason to leave it: meals served to our lounges, beverages on demand, Nick entertained by the pool, a little cornhole (with a couple other kids), and just enough shade for me not to burn.
We walked the beach each morning, which inspired the adoption of two hermit crabs (Bob Loblaw and Hermie), and each evening along the boardwalk, where there was a playground for Nick.
Our room was decorated with a Christmas tree, lights, and a non-stop supply of cookies.
And I had a great bike ride with Donny, who now lives in Largo, just a few miles down the road. He can pedal all day, I wear out fast. But a couple miles on the bikes along the beaches was very relaxing, and then we played cards one evening with Don and Rick, poolside at the hotel.
The general consensus is that this should become a tradition.
Photos here.
- Jason
We celebrated Christmas Day a little early at home, the weekend before the holiday. Our small tree had plenty around it, and it was a pleasantly uneventful day.
Nick got Mama a cat toy, which was specifically forbidden after this mistake had been made in the past. Didn't go over well, but he recovered from it. She makes sure he has a full Christmas of outstanding gifts, except for those that aren't at the top of his list, which he calls, "consulation prize gifts."
We had planned a trip to Gatlinburg this month, but the fires squashed our plans, as a city choked in smoke and fire retardant wasn't in our best interest. We stayed home, and the snow fell in full-force with the first blast of the year. At least Nick got some sledding time down the drainage ditch next door to our condo. We also stayed back for his school presentation, which the kids do an annual Christmas-themed play. I hear it was very good (I sat in a bad spot and didn't see Nick the entire time.)
Nick's odd one-liners of the month: "That is the holy grail of dressings!" (referring to the discontinued Asian Chicken Salad at Panera, which has caused us to boycott the establishment.) "What would happen if... ", which is his new ice-breaker into conversation. "When I was young..." And "Merry Christmas, Suiciders", which I think is supposed to be sympathetic and funny all at once. He just blurted it out at the dinner table, no idea why. He continues attempts at writing his own jokes, and every once in awhile he hits on one. "Why did the deep sea diver kill himself? He was scuba-cidal."
Pictures here.
- Jason
