She's going home

Monday is here and in a couple of hours I'll be watching Josie take off into the wild, blue, yonder. The past ten days have passed so quickly, it's almost been a whirlwind, but we've had a wonderful, wonderful, time together. Oh, we've had our moments...she's a very sensitive child...and there's been a few tears and a little homesickness, and although she's ready to go home I think, all in all, the whole trip has been a success.

Yesterday we had a beach day, watching the excitement and delight in Josie's eyes as she saw the ocean for the first time was worth the hours we spent driving and the million times we answered the "are we there yet" and "how much farther" questions. Our first stop was Daytona Beach where she got to play in the ocean and pick up a few seashells. Then back into the truck for the trek to Cocoa Beach and a mandatory shopping trip to Ron Jon's Surf Shop. We showed her the vehicle assembly building at Cape Canaveral and the cruise ships in port at Port Canaveral, but visits to those places will have to wait for another trip. She got a cute Ron Jon's hoodie for her souvenir. She'll be able to wear it all winter and remember her vacation fun.

This morning we're sitting in the Holiday Inn in Orlando, sadly waiting for the time when we have to take her to the airport. I'm not looking forward to the long lines, the waiting, the crowds, or the noise, but the thing I dread the most is my last look at her as she rounds that corner to get on the plane. It's a long way from Florida to Chicago and these once a year visits don't come often enough for grandma and grandpa. We've stored up a year's worth of memories, and are already planning for next year, what exciting and fun things we can do together.