Beach Kid

I remember going to the beach in the summers as a child and how much fun it was. I don't remember being too sandy or too hot or too tired. Nor do I remember cousins fighting over Fruit Roll-Ups (which my mom promised is true). I just remember the sunshine and the sand and the water. The non-stop playing outside all day long and the thill of outdoor showers. The BLT sandwiches, watermelons and ice cream. Collecting seashells and playing card games. Summer beach trips are part of my wonderful memories of the best of childhood.

Being on the parent side of that vacation is a new adventure. We spent last week at a wonderful rented beach house on the Isle of Palms. It was a 'stay'cation of sorts for us since we didn't really travel anywhere. But we did pack up and leave our own home to spend the week on the IOP, so it felt as separated as a beach a plane flight away.

We had an absolute ball. Claire made fast friends with her California cousin, Anna, and they were two peas in a pod all week long. Will rented a surf board and taught us all to surf. I even stood up on the board and really surfed. It was awesome and one of those things everyone must do before they die. Put it on your list! The adults had a 'Cousins Night Out' where we went to Fleet Landing for dinner and enjoyed rooftops drinks at Coconut Joe's late into the night. The weather was perfect and we took advantage of all that sunshine. I even taught a Stroller Strides class out on the sand. With up to 19 people in that house at any one time, we enjoyed each others company, got to know each other and each others children better and had lots of laughs!

But being a parent makes the vacation a little more work. Kids don't sleep late yet. Meals must be made. Lifeguarding in the ocean is a must. Showers must be forced upon sandy kids. Cousin squabbles must be officiated. Adult personalities must be blended into a harmonius large family unit. It had its challenges. But watching the kids laugh and play on the beach was so worth it all! And a glass of good Gaddy wine at night and all the adults laughed the night away too.

My kids won't remember any of that other filler either. They will just remember how awesome and fun it was to play at the beach on their summer vacation! Looking forward to doing it again next summer!