Hilton Head Island

I wasn't going to tell the story of how we ended up in Hilton Head, because it really wasn't important.  But after our trip, I realize that I needed a good lesson in accepting curve balls, believing there are still good people running business, and a refresher course in everything happens for a reason.  God sure does give us a reminder when we need it and I could not be more thankful. 

A month or so ago, I started asking for recommendations for the closest nice place to go for a weekend getaway.  A few people recommended the DeSoto on Tybee Island and it was the shortest drive so it was a winner in our book.

Then Thursday rolled around with reports all over the news about DNR swim warnings in Tybee because of the bacteria levels in the water.  Gross.  I called the hotel, and of course we were past the 72 hour cancellation window so they were going to charge me for a full night.  That just made me crazy.  I pleaded the 9-month-old-who-puts-everything-in-his-mouth case, and was told to call back in the morning to speak to a manager.  I stressed about it all night.  Lose almost two hundred bucks or risk H getting sick, neither were options I liked, but the obvious one was to lose the stupid money so I was ready to just cancel and get over it.  Luckily, the woman who took the morning call was an owner, and mother, and let me cancel my reservation without penalty.  Bless her and her understanding.  

That left me with a few hours to find somewhere else to go.  If you know me, you know this is not my style.  I research every purchase I make to the fullest, get recommendations from friends, etc.  This time I had to wing it.  I googled "Hilton Head beachfront" and "Hilton Oceanfront Resort" was the first on the search.  It had high ratings, and even more important, a government employee discount.  It was going to cost us over $100 less for two nights in a seemingly much nicer place.  This had to be too good to be true, right.  WRONG!

Let me just tell you, I have never stayed in a resort before, and I liked it!  You should have seen my face when I saw that they brought you clean towels to the pool, and if you were walking up from the beach they swapped towels for a clean one.  Not to mention the three pools, beautiful decks and pergolas, poolside restaurant and bar that will serve you in the pool, yummy restaurants and excellent service.  Seriously, how am I almost 30 years old and never knew this resort world existed?  Albeit, it wasn't built yesterday and I am sure someone acquainted with resorts may not be as impressed, but for our little family it was perfect.  This little weekend getaway ended up feeling much more like a luxury vacation that I ever thought possible.  And for less.  Well, in all honesty what we saved in government discounts we made up for in nine dollar pina coladas and overpriced food, but it was worth it! 

Lesson learned for Tiff, roll with the punches girl.

The boy did great in the car on the way down there, and the opposite of great on the way home.  This seems to be a vacation trend, but I'll take it.  I was grumpy on the way home too.

He LOVED the ocean the first day.  Sat in the water and splashed with each wave.  He went deep with me and jumped waves.  Then mom got stung by a jellyfish and our deep water endeavors ended immediately.  Her poor leg looks like someone beat her with a whip.  She screamed like it too, poor thing.  We did spend lots more time in the shallow water and even more time in the pool.  

I think by far Hardin's favorite part of the trip was having all three of our undivided attention for three days.  He sure does love some attention, that one.  And we sure do love giving it to him.  His second was all the swinging.  He has also become very fond of pointing, as illustrated by the pictures.

Gigi's favorite part was the live music from 5-7 every night.  Night one was a one man calypso band.  He played the steel drums, guitar, saxophone and keyboard, normally two at a time.  Night two was an older guy and his guitar who sang all 70s covers.  Mom knew every song and sang and danced for the full two hours both nights.  That was probably a close third for Hardin, he hammed it up both nights and his shoulder dance is getting better and better.  

Jason and I loved spending time with H and mom, loved our dinner out Sunday night and sitting on the deck overlooking the ocean both nights after mom and H went down.  Ten years later (this month!), I sure do love that we both love each others company so much.