Playa Del Carmen 2024 Review

    A couple of years ago I whined too loudly that I hate New England winters- too long, too cold, and too gray- and I wanted to get a break from it somehow- preferably end of January when the temperatures are coldest, the hubub of Christmas is over, and not much else to look forward to.  Jay, the problem-solving and adoring man that he is looked for a warm place to take the family.  

    I grew up going to a time-share in Mexico for the first several years of my life, but I believe the tourist safety has declined (or maybe not... my invincible and Spanish-speaking father probably wouldn't feel intimidated by government recommendations and tends to do whatever the heck he wants 😆) because our beloved Mazatlan is now considered a "Do no travel" location.  Jay figured the most touristy place in Mexico he could think of would probably be safe and so we decided on Cancun.

    This trip was a really big milestone to me because we had never really taken a family vacation before.  Family trips? Yes. Many.  Never a family vacation.  

What is the distinction?  Family trips are to visit family.  

Family vacation is only to be relaxing and have fun together.

    Needless to say, our 2022 trip was wildly successful in meeting my anti-New England weather goals, but we used a travel agency to help us find a good place to stay and we thought we could do it cheaper on our own this time.  Last year we spent January selling our house, so didn't repeat it, but this year we got to go again and it was just as fun as I remembered.

Without further ado, a bajillion pictures of our adventure this time around.

Getting to our rental house

    The first night we discovered the main TV to be broken, so the kids watched a movie in the master bed while Jay went to Walmart to get groceries, sunscreen, diapers, etc.  (They replaced the TV for us the next day)

We developed a daily routine: Laze around in bed.  Breakfast at home.  Walk to the beach. Walk to town for lunch.  Gelato at Adlo's. Walk home.  Swim in our own pool.  Beach again or laze around reading (mostly only the older kids did this).  Bath for littles.  Dinner (usually involving guacamole) in PJs at home.  Movie.  Bed.  It was divine. 😎

We discovered some cannibals
 living in our back yard

breakfast by the pool

 

I love the beach at Playa Del Carmen where we stayed because: 

-it's a neighborhood of houses so it's WAY less crowded than the areas where the resorts are

-the sandy part is wider than in front of many other beach house areas- better for sand play

-the sand is shallow for a long way out so even a skittish person like me feels comfortable wading out quite far and letting the good-swimmer-children do the same, unaccompanied by an adult to actually swim

-some days the waves are so calm that even that toddlers gain some confidence in the waves, yet

-some days the waves are big enough to boogie board

-the ocean is the most breathtaking turquoise blue 

-the water is even warm enough that I'm willing to get in for long periods of time (80 F)

-there are very few creatures in the water, and none of them creepy (I hate jellyfish)

-no rip tides (like in CA)

-the sand is so so silky-soft and amazingly doesn't burn your feet

I think the only downsides compared to other beaches I've been to is there isn't much shell collecting to do here and my oldest really enjoys climbing on the rocks and looking for creatures in Maine, and there isn't really anything like that where we stayed.

First beach trip where Toad starts feeling
confident in the water by himself 😅

    I didn't get any good pictures of the boogie boarding, but there were several days with big enough waves for it.  I really, really regret not bringing my phone to the beach on the very last day because little 3-year old Rose decided to try her hand at boogie boarding and she did AWESOME!  She got a lot of amazed stares and chuckles from the people walking by. 😍

Walking to lunch

It took 20-30 minutes to walk to lunch each day, but it was a nice way to break up the day and we always saw local wild animals like agouti, coati and giant iguanas, which the kids loved.  For some reason, most of our kids would order "hot cakes" (pancakes) for lunch and many restaurants seemed to serve them.  We did go to a few places that only had tacos to force them to try local food.  We learned last time to avoid all restaurants in the touristy part of town and to venture a few blocks away from the beach to save a lot of money.  In the end, our favorite place was the cheapest place we went and only served pork tacos and empanadas.  We found the street vendor food not to be very good.

Since you can't drink the water our kids
reveled in being allowed to get other
drinks at restaurants.

Toad asked me why there was a giant
turd in the tree.  I'm guessing something
lives in there?  Anyone know what it is?

 

Afternoons by the pool

The pool was not heated and the water was significantly colder than the beach, so we found it was best to swim after being nice an hot from our walk home.  (Did I mention the weather was usually low 80s every afternoon?  Amazing!)

Halfway through our trip we went to XCaret- there are advertisements for it EVERYWHERE and a Mexican company Jay consults for recommended it to us.  It was great and I think 1 day is enough.  It's sort of like a Mexican zoo/aquarium/museum/water park rolled into one.  Almost everything is outside but I was impressed by how well shaded it was and there were very few times we felt too hot.  I was very excited to see the manatees (didn't take a pic though) and there were a lot of cool experiences you could do for extra $$, which we didn't do, such as feeding sharks or manatees, swimming with dolphins, etc.

This pelican was a little too comfortable
around people and traumatized Newt
and Rose by giving each of them
a nip as they tried to walk by.

The Mexican cemetery was
surprisingly colorful and interesting. 

There were ruins all over the place.  Very cool!

The underground "river" was really cool, but
Rose was terrified and screamed the whole time 😓
Thank you Jay for swimming with her and
Toad clinging to him the whole time 😆. Swimming
while carrying Newt was enough for this preggo lady!

I couldn't believe how HUGE
the sea turtles were!

They had an area specifically for kids, but only between the ages of 6-12 and they were pretty strict about the ages.  Kind of a bummer for our big family, but Hazel and Toad liked it a lot.

At the end of the night all the attractions close and they sort of herd you to this huge arena where you pass by people dressed in amazingly intricate costumes and they have a Mexican heritage show where they have people playing Mayan games with a ball on fire and an impressive scene where they reenact Cortez taking over the natives in battle.  There are also many musical numbers with singing and dancing from different parts of the country.  It was a great way to end the day feeling like you got a real taste of Mexican culture while getting to sit down after a long day of walking. 

Our last morning, Jay and I went to the beach to watch the sunrise.  I was surprised how cold I felt at 65 degrees and how warm the ocean was on my chilly feet.  A fun end to an awesome trip!

Newt's First Words

 It's been years since I've written here regularly, but my older kids love love hearing about the funny things they did when they were little and I'm feeling guilty that not Hazel and Toad won't get much of that because of the hiatus.  #middlechildren  I'm going to try to repent.

The other day, while talking to Jay on the phone, I heard little Rose talking in the background and was struck by how cute and toddlery she sounds when she speaks.  In my mind, she speaks perfect English, but really, no.  She can't say her Rs etc and it's pretty stinkin' cute still.  

Newt is just barely starting to sometimes attempt multi-syllable words and I thought I should remember this moment before it's gone.  So here are the most heard vocabulary words from the almost 2 year old:

mama or mom = me

dada = Jay

daddy = Hazel.  If you knew her real name, it kind of makes sense.  It's really funny to me that he calls her that

sha = Peach (again, works with her real name)

na = Rose

dat = the Frog (doesn't sound that much like his real name 😆)

day = Toad

mo = more and milk

wah-thisss = watch this - what he says before he's going to show up and will keep repeating until he gets your eye contact

peeees = please

cheeeeese = cheese and he always says it if he suspects you might be taking a photo fo him (but only long enough to say it and then he immediately comes close to see the photo)

hi = hi and he's super friendly and says it whenever I get home or to strangers in the cutest, friendliest way ever.

bye bye = bye bye and usually comes with a wave

no = arguably his favorite word and is usually his answer to any question

bah = ball (he loves them)

foh = throw (one of his favorite things to do.  It gets annoying at meal time)

bafff = bath (always says this word with a lot of enthusiasm, in kind of an excited whisper)

'mon = come on

pie = potty.  He loves helping everyone flush

bay = berry, belly, or bunny.  Context is important here.

ashee = Peach's squishmallow "Ashley" or it can also mean "actually"

wa wa = water

die = dinosaur or dice, which comes up a surprising amount of time because he loves getting into The Frog's Dungeons and Dragons dice bag and littering the house with them.

nay = snake

woof woof = dog.  Anytime we see a dog he emphatically wants to get close to it but as soon as we are, he regrets the decision.

tootie = cookie (which is what he calls all treats)

fie = fly- he loves watching his siblings fly drones and really really wished he knew how to do it.

wone = drone

push = push.  One of his few correct words.  He loves pushing in his chest buckle in his car seat and pushing in drawers and chairs

skish = squishmallow (Peach and Hazel have an obsession right now)

hep = help

den = done

den = again (yeah, confusing)

This one is hard to describe, but he loves imitating the sound of a squirting bottle while holding a spray bottle or one of his sister's perfume bottles.  He is often discovered smelling of perfume too ;)

Merry Christmas 2023

The McCarthy's have moved across the country!  Welcome to our new home, back in Provo, Utah- would you like to take a tour?

As you enter, Jay might be reading to the children or himself.  Why not sit and listen to the piano for awhile?  Or better yet, get up and dance with Rose and Newt?! Grandma loves to spend time there each day when the three oldest aren't vying for practice time and even Jay is taking piano lessons this year!

Continue through to the dining room where you might find Toad drawing intricate scenes of monsters in caves, or Rose and Newt smooshing paint across the page.  On weekends, you might find The Frog acting as Dungeon Master for his local Dungeons and Dragons group.

In the kitchen you might find Rose helping Jay to a backdrop of Mozart operas.  Lately, Jay is most often found shredding steaming, smoked meat, or winging a new delicious way of using up the neighbors' fruit trees' bounty.  Or perhaps you might find Hazel baking bread while listening to an audiobook.  

Continue down the hall to the homeschool room, ever full of busy children filling their heads with knowledge, or children trying to look busy.  Even little Rose has the bug and likes to get out her bin of preschool things to do.  Other than the usual "three Rs", a little science, and history, The Frog is also trying his hand at debate this year and learning a lot at his monthly competitions.  Toad spends much time rummaging through the learning bins- making mosaic aliens or tinkering with his snap circuits, when he's done with his "regular school" with Jay.  Peach is often found reclined on the sofa, singing along with Taylor Swift while working on her algebra.

Out back, you might find the family eating on the picnic tables (we now fill two of them) or maybe Toad and Rose making a potion or mud pie in their bush hide-out and Newt toddling along behind them.  Lately, Newt loves requesting to ride his "bite" (bike) down the block with Libby- being inspired by his older siblings who are enjoying their newfound freedom being able to bike to friends' houses, seminary, and the local soda shop for a treat.  They also love going to the new park nearby, all by themselves.  Is that The Frog running back from cross-country practice?

If we peek in the garage, we might find Libby looking for tools to fix (another) discovered loose end in the house or (still) trying to finish cutting the baseboards to install inside, hoping that soon, room can be made for the cars.  Jay might also be lifting weights after running or rucking in the neighborhood.

If we come back to the front door, turn around to admire the view of the mountains we have enjoyed hiking thus far.  The Frog hopes to learn to ski this winter- armed with a season ski pass and an enthusiastic father.  As we step back inside, we might see Libby walking Grandma out to the car to go to the Senior Center down the road.  Grandma loves spending many days there, keeping busy and socializing with those lovely women there.

Upstairs, we have the master bedroom with...  Oh- avert your eyes! Looks like Hazel is enjoying a luxurious bath, meanwhile Newt is unraveling the toilet paper and telling me that he can "puss" on the flusher.  Oh look, Libby seems to have fallen asleep, midday, again.  Growing a baby girl is tiring work!  There appears to be plenty of room for the crib that will move in at the end of March.

Next door is the laundry room where you might find Libby collecting cleaning supplies for the latest spill and perhaps Grandma is folding the towels.  

Further down the hall, you'll probably see Peach playing with eyeshadow or Hazel doctoring her newly pierced ears in the bathroom.  

In the kids' room across the hall, Peach and Hazel are often discovered reading in their beds amidst piles of Squishmallows.  Shhh, Newt might be napping at the end of the hall so let's sneak back downstairs.

All the way to the basement we go... 

In the "theater room" you might find The Frog having a Smash tournament with his friends or siblings or the family may be gathered for family movie night.  In the wee hours, you might find Jay on the rowing machine and sometimes, even Libby could be cycling next to him as well.

Across the hall, Jay might be in his office in a virtual meeting or programming and listening to podcasts.

Next is Libby's craft room/office that lately has been used as a guest room for visitors, more than anything else.  Hopefully, you will come stay with us soon as well!

Down the hall, you'll probably see Libby reading books to Rose on the potty so she can get right back to playing in her little house under the stairs.  Rose enjoys bringing out trays of hamburgers or pancakes (with a side of Lego milk) on elaborately draped trays.  Having a pink tablecloth definitely makes all pretend food taste better. ;)

Finally, we end our tour in the playroom where each child has their own space for Legos.  You might also find Peach playing board games with friends at the game table.  Toad might be building an elaborate car path with his magnetic blocks and The Frog could be helping Newt with some trains.

Well, we hope you enjoyed this virtual tour!  Please come visit in person sometime very soon!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

        Love,

            Jay (38), Libby (40!), The Frog (15), Peach (13), Hazel (11), Toad (7), Rose (3.5), Newt (19 mo.), & Daisy (-3 mo.)

Merry Christmas 2022

Dearest Friends and Family, 

As the newest member of the McCarthy clan, I have been assigned to give my report on the happenings as of late. Everyone else is extremely busy, and Mother thought I had the most free time. I think she may underestimate the many accomplishments I have acquired- from the physically taxing task of gliding around on my belly, to eating solid foods (steak being my favorite), and especially spreading cheer wherever I roam. Not to mention all the sleeping I have to do to keep growing as much as I have- I’m the only one who has doubled their weight this year! I even have two teeth now! I am certainly not the only one who weeps from time to time, but I think I’m the best at comforting. I, unfortunately, cannot comment on anything from this year before April 21st, but I’ll do my best for the remaining months.

Princess Rose (2 and a half) has become quite loquacious. She has developed a new found love for Disney princesses. She is highly skilled at putting on her own clothes and shoes, and even better at their removal. When she is not dressed up as royalty, she spends large quantities of time sporting her birthday suit instead. Her adorable smiles are almost as cheering as mine and her giggling prolific. Rose loves doing preschool with Mother or pretending to be a pony riding on the backs of her sibling-owls.

My big brother Toad (6) makes many interesting contraptions out of cardboard, tape, and other detritus. He loves building with blocks and also drawing pictures of monsters and other peculiar creatures I hope never to encounter. Recently, Toad has commenced horse riding lessons and discovered an interest in breakdancing. Watch out when he gets going! He just completed his Kindergarten math book, and is learning to read new words every day with Mother. I love it when he hugs me and he encourages me to ride on his tummy while he scoots around the floor on his back.

Hazel (10) can usually be found inventing, dancing, or reading- in her pajamas. She loves to be cozy, and I love being with her. She has developed a fondness of the piano this year and performs for me frequently throughout the day. She also resumed ballet instruction and stars as Clara at her school’s Nutcracker. She is very good at negotiating with Princess Rose, who can be quite demanding (as princesses often are), and loves constructing and imagining with her siblings and our bursting bins of Legos, which I am not allowed to touch yet… Mother says I may choke.

Peach (12) is my other mother. She plays with me the most and helps Mother by changing my diapers and clothes and readies me for my mini slumbers as well. I love spending time with her and tangling my fingers in her long, silky hair. I marvel at her canorous choral rehearsing and I pine for her when away at volleyball practice, horse riding, or young women’s activities. She allows me sit on her lap while she practices the piano and saves me from my other siblings when their play grows rambunctious.

The Frog (14) is my biggest big brother. I love it when he is flying me like a rocket or lolloping me on his lap. He keeps requesting to hold me, even though I seem to regurgitate on him the most of anyone, and he is the most distressed by it. The Frog is very busy attending early morning seminary and still enjoys his USA Ninja Challenge class. This year he dabbled in volleyball and tennis and also started piano lessons. Indeed our home is one flooded by music. I cannot wait to join in The Frog's Dungeons and Dragons sessions he organizes and to grow enough teeth to ingest pizza with them!

Father is so warm and strong. I have spent many hours napping on him while he programs at his standing desk. It seems all those weights and squats have proved essential! He has the best nose for grabbing and when he jiggles my bum in his somnolent way, I just cannot resist falling asleep. I love receiving his tickley beard when he smothers me with kisses, especially after a refreshing, cold shower. I feel so blessed that he can work from home and I get to see so much of him most days, though he has been traveling all over the world for his company this year.

Mother has an aptitude for releasing my giggles and I love her raspbellies after she changes my diaper. Mother is quite the chef- producing unmatched, gourmet milk for me whenever I require it, and her roasted mushy carrots are divine. She insists that food is best ingested, but I immensely enjoy the feel of mushy eggplant between my fingers. I adore Mother so much, that I wake her up several times every night, just so I can be enveloped by her attentions. She is teaching me to sleep in my crib, which I do not prefer, but I am graciously adjusting.

Grandmother Janet is so sweet and gentle. I love it when she holds me and perambulates so I can observe Mother’s doings in the kitchen and the thieving squirrels in the yard. She also serenades me on our meandering journeys. Grandmother’s melodious piano music wafts through house and she has made it her personal mission to reunite all wayward leaves back into the forest. When our family goes for nature walks, it’s always Mother, Rose, Grandmother and I trailing far behind the others, enjoying the beautiful New England woods. Grandmother’s frequent sweeping prevents me from eating little bits of craft projects, food, and other miscellany on the floor. I love her quiet, peaceful presence.

I am excited to experience my first Christmas this year! It sounds like a wonderful time of year when love and peace abound, and we celebrate another special baby- baby Jesus! I hope your Christmas is full of joy that lasts throughout the year!


Love,

Newt