The Final Days in OKI

We are home after almost three weeks at the beach. Without a shroud of doubt, I could have stayed there another three weeks. 

Our final days at the beach brought some amazing weather, which brought some pretty memorable and magical moments. Of note, the kids lasted one whole day at the beach for 6 hours and I must brag that there was nary a tear that entire time. Pearson after attempting fishing a few times in his life FINALLY caught some fish. He even learned to throw a net and catch bait. We were joined by my younger sister, Julie, and my brother in-law Matt for four days and having only two kids and four adults made for some less exhausting times. After Whitaker sleeping like dog crap for the first two weeks at the beach house, he actually slept through the night for five nights straight. We hired a sitter yet again for some adult only beach time. One evening Mae exclaimed to me while we were on the beach that it was "the best night ever." She then followed it with "you are the best mom ever." The kids continued to love swimming, the sand, and the ocean breeze.

As for what I love most about the beach is that it is "simple." I don't have to think of ways to entertain my kids or figure out what we will do for the day. We simply go to the beach, play in the sand, listen to the ocean, and swim. They are happy and so am I. Our lives are simple and not caught up in driving, schedules, or finding the next thing to do.  

This set of photos are from the night that Mae dubbed "the best night ever." As for the pictures of Whitaker with the Coors Light can, Julie took them.  Not to worry the can was not open. 

This is Pearson and Mae in the water. 

These photos are from our epic 6 hour day at the beach with the kids. 

Still at the beach

We are still at the beach. This is turning out to be one very long, salty, sunny, beachy, and awesome vacation, albeit pretty exhausting (I simply do not comprehend how my kids can't sleep past 6 am). I got to give it to my kids they love the water and haven't tired of going to the beach everyday. We also have been lucky this week and have gotten to use the pool. Needless to say our days consist of us going no less then a tenth of a mile and frolicking in surf, sand, and water.

Here are more photos from the last couple of weeks. As you can see Pearson joined us, thank goodness, I don't know how much longer I could have been a single parent. My parents also were here for a week with us as were some other family members [Aunts, Uncles, and cousins].

These pictures are from an evening at the beach with no suits. We just simply went down to run around and burn off some energy since it wasn't very sunny this day. You can see that Whitaker ended up still going in the water. 

 

Whitaker showing his love for his Cousin Luke.

And then Pearson joined us!! The kids were both so excited. Whitaker didn't want to stop hugging him. 

We have enjoyed some lazy time on the screened in porch. 

Pearson taking the little boys to the tee box on the 11th hole in the backyard. 

This is my cousin Kathy's husband Mike fishing with a net. He kept seven kids occupied for an HOUR AND HALF by casting and catching fish for him. He truly was a god send. 

Here are all the kids running after the fish and then holding them and putting them back in the ocean. 

The two other kids in the photo are my cousin Kathy's kids, Ian and Sophia. They were great to have around and add to the mix. 

My mom and my cousin Kathy. 

Pearson photo bombing a picture with my Aunt Mary, my Aunt Barbara, and my mom. 

My little guy and I spending some quality time on the screened in porch. 

Driving to dinner at Duffers one night after some pool time. 

An attempt at getting all five grandkids in a picture with my parents. Will was on "strike" and refused to be photographed. 

Driving home from dinner on the golf cart. 

Pearson and Luke caught a toad the night before and was showing it to all the other kids in the morning.

Last year, I instituted a "memory box," where everyone would write their favorite memory from their time at the beach. The thought is in a few years we can look back at what all the kids were into and what the adults cherished. Here we are writing our memories with my parents. 

FINALLY a group shot. 

And a photo of my lovely parents.