Checkout was 11am, but our flight didn’t leave til 4. The best thing about travel within the Western hemisphere is shorter flights, and less time zone changes. That last one is key with kids – 6 hours time difference to Europe messes up everyone’s sleep schedules and leads to some grumpy travelers, Mom and Dad included.

Thanks to the afternoon flight, we were able to squeeze in some last minute food and fun at the resort. As soon as she opened her eyes this morning, #1BigSister requested more time at the Kids Club. I was happy to accommodate the request as it gave me some uninterrupted time to pack.

The extra time this morning also gave Ale and I another chance to take photos near the water. I’d tried a few times throughout the trip, but time of day really determines the right light, and we hadn’t quite found it yet.

Our flight left 1.5 hours late, so it’s a good thing Amir opted for the 3 hour layover rather than the 45 minute connection in Miami. Back to the grind tomorrow – but I’m pretty motivated. My last shift before our trip, I had a big save which refilled my cup. Not a bad start to 2024.

– Steph