When we vacation, I sometimes worry: will my daughter get bored? At Bentsen Palm Village, she never did.
On Day 5, after breakfast latkes (pan-fried potato pancakes, made in a skillet with shredded potato, onion, egg, and a dash of salt), she begged to try the craft room. So we walked over to that creative space in the resort: tables full of supplies, sewing machines, cutting mats, and generous staff ready to help. She picked a butterfly embroidery kit, and I worked on a small patch quilt. We chatted and laughed while we stitched. The hours drifted.
In the afternoon, she and I biked around the resort loops (we brought our own bicycles). We paused for ice cream bars in the clubhouse, then went down to the pool. She practiced her backstroke while I floated on my back, watching a hawk circle overhead.
That evening we made campfire banana boats: slit bananas lengthwise, stuff with chocolate chips and marshmallows, wrap in foil, and place near coals (lid side down). In ten minutes, gooey, sweet, melty dessert that even my picky eater devoured.
Later, at dusk, we sat together on the picnic table bench, talking about constellations — she asked if Orion would be up soon. I pointed out a few stars. No city lights to blot it out here.
Vacation isn’t just about seeing new places — it’s about making memories, even over simple crafts and s’mores moments.