This past week my husband and I took a quick trip to Cancun, it was a belated birthday gift.
The boys were on Spring Break, and Grandma was left in charge, or so she thought. You see, before we left we had a chat with Grandma and gave her a run-down of the weeks activities, rules, expectations, etc.
Well, apparently the chat was pointless, because we didn’t take into account that the planned activities, set of rules, and expectations were not in-line with what the “other” adult (our oldest son) had in mind.

Yeah, don’t let this face fool you.

Since he is officially an adult and Grandma can no longer drive, we asked him to hang around the house to help keep an eye on his two younger brothers. We left money so he could take his brothers and Grandma to the movies on Saturday, then to church and Panera on Sunday, our traditional post-church hangout.
[Deep breath...] Not only did he leave and spent the night at his friends house a couple of days while we were gone. He refused to take them to the movies, church, or Panera. Because “mom” and “dad” didn’t personally ask him, and I guess Grandmas’ word wasn’t good enough. We actually would have told him in person, had he been home the night before we left. [Sigh]
The joys of parenting, the teenage years.
On a lighter and happier note, the trip was quite fun and enriching, here are a few places that we visited and a few things we enjoyed during or short stay.

Steak Tacos before going in to see the Mayan Ruins in Tulum.

We watched the papantla Flyers also in Tulum.


We delighted our taste buds with a great curry hummus.

Enjoyed one of the regions staple appetizers, Panuchos de Cochinita Pibil.
Went for a dip in gorgeous Cenote Azul.

I couldn’t just walk by the gelato shop while visiting Playa del Carmen and not stop in. After tasting a few flavors I chose to go with the Alfajor, which was excellent.

My husband on the other hand couldn’t walk buy the place that had 2 X 1 happy hour and not stop in, and I certainly wasn’t going to refuse.

We enjoyed a romantic dinner or two…

Tamarind Martini, loved it!

Blown away by it’s majestic beauty!

After so much running around the previous days, on our last day we decided to relax. We swam a little in the crystal blue ocean, caught some rays, and enjoyed a little poolside lunch.

Regardless of what transpired at home during our absence. You know where we’ll be this Sunday after church! Hint… Hint…

I can almost taste it!
If you are interested in staying current on special Panera offers you can follow them on Twitter: @PaneraBread or become a Panera Bread Fan on Facebook.
Remember regardless of my compensation from Panera to blog for them, you know I would never promote or endorse something I didn’t truly love.














{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I have several more years before my little ones head into those dreaded teenage years, I need to remember to save some energy
If it’s any consolation, your eldest is going to be (if not already is) a heartbreaker. Wait. That’s may not be a consolation.
Anyway…what I mean to say is, you have a beautiful family, and I’m glad you had a happy belated birthday in Cancun! Now I want a Tamarind Martini…
I know you don’t need me to tell you to enjoy these years while they last…
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. PS: I’m working on recreating that tamarind martini.
Anddddd did he also pocket the money you gave him to take out Grandma and the siblings? Oh, mine would! We have suffered….um lived through those teenage years (2 sons! MALE teen years) and I can’t begin to tell you about the joy of it all
We are winding down those adolescent years although they tend to grab hold and not want to let go, do they? But in the end we have 2 very fine, generous, fun, smart sons and it was all worth it! You have a very handsome son and your family life sounds wonderful. But it is always fabulous to get away for a romantic weekend “à deux”! And your little trip looks fantastic!
Thanks Jamie, we had a great time on the trip. And luckily he didn’t go as far as pocketing the money, thank goodness. Just as this one is wining down through the adolescent years, I still have one other in full-throttle, and a third about to enter this coming September.
What a fantastic get-away!!! Boy, feet in the sand…heehee – I bet he got away with a lot with that face!! =)
Tell me about it!
Woo hoo!! Despite the “domestic disturbances” it sounds like you had a fabulous (and well deserved!) vacation!!!
I’m assuming that good looking man in the photo w/you is hubby…with such good looking
parents, I can see why that son of yours is a real handsome guy!
Beautiful photos…thanks for sharing your birthday gift with us!
Man I still recognize the places after so many years. I’m so jealous! I’m looking forward my spring break even though I won’t be going to Mexico and will probably just do spring cleaning but I’ll live with your pictures
What a wonderful weekend and I’m looking forward to your recipe for the martini. And don’t cha just love teenagers! We have five adult children so I feel your pain.
You took me again to the same places I visited with my teenager last spring break:) We had a great time, and I fell in love with Yucatan, its food, and its people. That was my birthday present from me to me, and from me to my daughter (alas, husband had to stay at home and tend to 2 pre-teens:)
I don’t know how it is to raise boys – I have three girls:) The first one turned out great, but I am holding my breath for the middle one, the Drama Queen:)
I know it was a great getaway ofr you and a great lesson (I hope) for your oldest. We have to let them make mistakes and learn responsibility.