No punchline there. I’m sorry to say it’s the truth.

But we have managed to have a great time.  Before the rain started last night, we took a pontoon boat out on the Choctawhatchie Bay here in Destin, Florida.  My dad said Erin reminds him of the girl in the commercial who won’t smile.  When we let her pilot the boat yesterday, she was all grins.

We rarely go on vacation as a family.  While I’ve taken my daughters on Girl Scout, school, and other trips, I think it’s been 10 years since we went to Niagara Falls as father, mother, daughter, daughter.  This time around, it’s my parents’ treat.  We’re staying on a military-owned recreation area and are about a 30-second walk to the bay.  We’ve rented a couple of bikes, but they’re sitting on the covered porch since – as I’ve said – it’s raining.  It’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow, too.

The rain doesn’t prevent my most important goal from happening, though.  I want to give my girls the opportunity to spend time with their maternal grandparents.  I only knew one of my grandparents well and it’s been over 20 years since he passed away. 

It’s been funny listening to their stories about how much alike my daughters and I are.  Annie snorts when she laughs, just like me.  Erin is a talker and always has to be in the know, just like me.  We all have my Mom’s toes, but only Erin can pinch people with hers.

The difference in people who are separated in age by a couple of decades is also interesting.  Girls are comfortable with the thermostat set at 72.  My parents stay cold.  I get hot. So we went to one of those massively ridiculous beach-ware stores and I bought Grandpa and Grandma fleece hoodies.

Lucky for them I didn’t splurge on a bikini for me.  We want to have a good time, afterall.