Now we are getting into the real summer part of summer: vacation.
Thomas' sitter, L, takes 2 weeks off in the summer. We usually try to coordinate our vacation with hers, of course, but this year it didn't work out that way. She is gone today through the 20th, and our vacation starts the 21st!* So Tommy is staying with my parents this week, and I will stay home with him next week. We just took him to Grandma and Grandpa's last night and so far he has gone out for ice cream, run through the fountains at an outside mall, swam in their pool, stayed up late watching a movie, and fallen asleep with Grandpa. This morning he didn't even care to talk to me on the phone.
*Most years for our summer vacation we visit Bill's family's cottage on a lake in Northern Michigan. But this summer we are doing something different: my mother-in-law has rented a house on the ocean in North Carolina and we will all be vacationing there together (Bill's mom and her husband, his brother, sister, their spouses, and 2 children each).
My kids have never been to the ocean before, so I'd love to hear any suggestions of things we should be sure to do. Those of you who are lucky enough to live near the ocean: do your kids like to just play in the waves and build sand castles? Or do I need to have some other tricks up my sleeve?
"To know someone here or there with whom you can feel there is an understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed. That can make this life a garden." -Goethe
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9 comments:
The ocean is always tricky with the Gonzalez Clan. India loves to play with the sand bunt can't stand when it gets on her. Right. This is always tricky and it usually means making sure there's not a speck of sand on her towel so that she can sit sand-free on the edge and play with the sand with her hands. Same with the water. I put her on my hip and she tells me to go in deeper but the minute the water touches her feet she pulls them up til her knees are by her ears.
Wow, that wasn't much help at all was it? Sorry!
Yeah for you!! We're doing something different for vacation this year too and it feels like we are getting ready for a real adventure! I'm so excited I can' barely sit still. I guess you'll be flying? I hope that goes smoothly. And I don't have ANY words of wisdom about the beach but we can compare notes when we get back :-)
Are you going to the Outer Banks? Depending on what you are into there's TONS to do even if the boys don't care for the ocean (heresy!!). Most areas also have playgrounds and pools, there are places to explore (and shop!), and there are a couple of places to ride go carts and such. Lots of beautiful places to walk, too.
My family goes every year (though Niksdad, Nik, and I have only gone once) and adores it.
Have a fabulous time!
First of all, the Atlantic Ocean is WILD! My kids are Gulf of Mexico kids and it is alot calmer! The waves in the Atlantic are high, cold and rough. When we were at the Atlantic about 3 years ago my kiddos were a little intimidated. Bring plenty of sand toys and baby powder. If you apply baby powder to the feet, the sand just falls away very easily. It is a must for any kid (or adult) who HATES sand between their toes! Also the birds on the beach are quite aggressive. Be careful with food as these little pests will go after anyone who has as much as a cheese doodle. Also the taste of salt water can be quite overwhelming. Urge the kids to keep their mouths shut so they do not swallow salt water. The sea weed can be very stringy and get on their feet and hands. Do not let Henry wear his glasses as they can be knocked off his face very easily. If you have a kid who usually opens their eyes in a pool make them wear goggles in the ocean as salt water will sting the eyes.
Other than that have fun!! We are going to Bethany Beach in Delaware this week so we will be facing the Atlantic again!!
I don't know about NC, but a little farther north, it's not so much a swim in the ocean thing for most kids (only the best of swimmers should attempt it) as it is a run in up to the ankles or knees and run out again kind of thing.
Buckets, shovels, sand toys of all kinds (they sell little plastic molds to make castles, fish, etc.) all come in handy. Chairs for the grownups.
It can get pretty hot during the day and remember, no shade on the beach, so keep that in mind. We tend to prefer early morning and very late afternoon. Breaking mid-day for a rest, lunch, playground or pool.
Like Niksmom said, there's tons to do in most beach resort-like towns even if the kids don't take to the shore. My guess though is that they'll love it.
Good luck and have fun.
Okay, first: the teenager. I know it is frustrating that she is lying, but I would be more concerned with the why of the lie than the actual lie itself. Finding out might be difficult, but I'll bet it involves drinking or a boy (or both). Not that I ever lied for any of those things myself... ;-)
Now, the beach. Since we're constantly comparing how alike Henry & Conor are, I have to forewarn you: Conor is amazed by the vast SPACE of it all. He loves to dig in the sand and fill buckets over and over, but he often feels the need to just run and run and run. He'd probably run for miles if we let him.
He doesn't care to go into the ocean all that much, but loves running down to the waves and allowing them to chase him back up the shore. He looks a lot like a sandpiper. LOL
Conor also loves collecting shells. Of course, that just creates one more thing for our kids to collect. So, you might want to preface the beach trip by saying that they can bring home one bucket or 10 shells each, etc.
Conor always covets any child with a wheelbarrow, so you might want to get one of those little sand toy packages (you can get them at Walmart).
I think that's all I've got. :-) Have a blast on vacation!
Charlie's thing---as you know!----is the water. Unlike a pool, the ocean is a live thing---tastes salty, feels different, moves and is unpredictable. For all his love of it, Charlie still goes in and out----it's a much more exhausting experience. I used to bring buckets, sand castle forms, shovels, for Charlie but he never seemed too drawn to them----it's the sand he likes to rub his feet in.
One thing we never have eough of it beach chairs----the sand gets on the towel....... Charlie will not wear one, but maybe rash guards for Henry and Thomas----also because of the sunshine! Charlie does like a beachball but it is windy at the ocean and they get lost fast.
Thinking of Kate and you. I don't know if parents can ever do this----to show their love and concern "no matter what"----and not be annoying-----but I wonder about all that she is not saying. No great advice, just thoughts.
I don't have a teenager, but I can sympathize with trying not to take things personally. It's very hard to do!
Sweet Boy shocked me the other day when he said he wanted to try the beach again this year. We took him 2 summers ago and while he loved the seashells (I second Melissa's advice about setting a limit if you have an obsessive collector like I do), the rides, and the shops, the sound of the ocean/waves really bothered him. He really felt like it was deafening. So much so that even offering him ear plugs wasn't enough to get him to try again last summer. I wasn't planning to suggest it this year but I'm so glad he wants to try again. We're planning an overnight trip to Bethany Beach in mid-August.
Hope you all have fun on the trip.
And for the record, I applaud you just for realizing you shouldn't take the lies personally. I'm not sure I'd even make it that far.
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