IMG_2436
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

IMG_2450
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

"Isa you're getting so dark! Nobody will want to marry you!"

IMG_2486
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

By 7pm I figured it time to clean up and make or way to dinner in "downtown" Siesta Key Village.

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Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

El and I celebrated our first real vacation evening with the kids by sipping a little red wine and relaxing in front of the TV while the kids slept. Simple things really...

Siesta Key
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Nico Is Pooped
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Siesta Key
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Siesta Key
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

The next few days were just like this. In bed fairly early (before midnight) and up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast and dress the kids, enjoy the beach and see what the evening had in store for us. We even managed to do some of the Plan B stuff when the sun got too hot to lay out.

This included Mote Aquarium which was not even close to crowded. Shark tanks, dolphins, loggerhead turtles, learning exhibits and plenty of fish - we squeezed it all in 2 hours before heading out to dinner at Chart House. It was El's birthday dinner for me - really nice place with fresh seafood.

Me & Isa's Alligator Sand Sculpture
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

My first attempt at a sand sculpture. It was supposed to be a little project for me and Isa to work on together, but she seemed more interested in trying to smash his nose in. Isa don't touch! It's not for you! Oh wait...it was...

Isa & Mini Circus Model
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Another afternoon was spent at the Ringling Museum, of the Ringling Bros fame. I thought Isa would really dig this (which she did), but so did I. One of the standout exhibits was a gigantic scale model of a miniature circus. INCREDIBLE.

Mini Circus Model
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

The museum dedicated an entire building to it which allowed viewers to see it from all angles and from above. The lights even dimmed to mimic evenings.

Mini Circus Model
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Mini Circus Model
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Mini Circus Model
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Mini Circus Model
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Trains, fairgrounds, living quarters and, of course, The Big Top itself. I could've easily spent hours photographing this area. There was so much detail involved with the model - it took about 50 years to collect and assemble.

Ringling Circus Museum
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Ringling Circus Museum
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Another building also featured artifacts from the traveling circus itself. I thought one of the coolest parts was John and Mabel Ringling's car train with their living quarters. I was surprised to see how cramped, although nicely decored, it was.

Ringling Circus Museum
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Uuuh Isa...the sign says "Do not touch". I know you love carousels and horsies. Just cos you're two and can't read yet is no excuse...

Fun Mirrors
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Isa thought it was great fun to stare at herself in the old Funhouse Mirrors. And I thought my daughter couldn't possibly look any shorter than she already is!

Ringling Circus Museum
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

The museum actively restored the pieces with carpenters and woodworkers and even had carving classes that people could join in on to recreate wooden ride pieces.