We just returned from our summer vacation to the Alabama coast. It was beautiful and lots of fun...and full of, well, moments.

The Setting: We have just arrived in our condo on Orange Beach and are hanging off the balcony looking at the stunningly clear, sea green waves rolling, rollicking and crashing in from the Gulf. There are peaceful yet silly grins plastered on our faces and we try to tear ourselves away from the ocean long enough to don swim suits (and gather nets, sand toys, snacks etc...not a quick process) and race for the shimmering white sands and the water that is calling to us with every foamy, breaking wave.

Caroline points at the water and says: "I want to down and get in the river."

Me: "That's not a river sweetie. That's the Gulf of Mexico."

Caroline: "Oh. Is the Gulf of Mexico a lake?"

Me: "No. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean. Do you remember the Atlantic ocean?" (She loves an interactive globe we have and frequently plays a game to find all the oceans and continents.)

Caroline: "Yes." (her blue eyes suddenly open wide) "We're in Africa!?"

Me (Trying to keep from laughing out loud at this point. Keep in mind we have been traveling for two days and have been keeping the kids continually updated on our location at all points, talking about where we are going and showing them the map as we go.): "Not exactly. We are in Alabama."

Caroline: "Is Alabama in Africa?"

Me (With absolutely no composure left at this point.) "Nooo. Alabama is part of the United states of America, just like Texas."

Caroline: (Looking confused) "Oh." (Points to the Gulf) "But I want to go play in the lake."

Me: "Good idea. Let's go."

I teach my children at home, so, yes I would be Caroline's geography teacher. Guess I better work on that.