Salty hair and sand-in-every-crevice of ears, combined with sun kissed babes and boardwalk strolls made up one successful week in Ocean City, NJ this year. Our first airplane ride as a family of 5 and we survived (although I think I nixed out any idea of taking a California trip next summer post-residency with the kiddies - I think we'll stick to this side of the globe til the kids are all over 2 or 3!)
The kids stayed up much past their bedtimes and filled their bellies with the tastiest and un-healthiest boardwalk food, rode sky high ferris wheels and kiddy coasters and body surfed in the waves of the Atlantic. The salty air in Ocean City breezing through our wide open windows as soon as we cross the bridge onto the island is one of the most welcoming, relaxing feelings. Ahhh!
J's parents invited all of us to spend the week up there as a late birthday celebration for his dad. We've never been up altogether as a family with his sister and hubby. We loved spending the week with everyone and the kids absolutely loved having more family around than just myself! The extra helping hands with these babes was just a bonus! Ha ;)
Sand castles, water balloon fights, and many beach days...I'd say it was a 40th(!) birthday well spent!
The grandparents, ourselves, and babes all had a blast. And can probably agree that it went by way too quick. (Well, I guess I shouldn't speak for anyone else -- they may have been ready for us crazy folks and our mess to roll out! Ha)
I think J and I get most excited about waking up early and starting the day with either fresh sticky buns on the balcony, or a morning walk/bikeride on the boardwalk. Knowing we have a whole OC day ahead of us is such a relaxing feeling! We never know if that day will be filled with beach or rides or Hamburger Construction Co. or Kohr's ice cream cones (or a little bit of everything combined) - and that's okay! Because when we are there, we're on vacation and we are all together and I'm not sure there's much better feeling than that.
Those mornings on the balcony are the best way to start an OC day. Coffee, breakfast, fresh air and family! Heck yessss.
E was the big kid this trip. Last time we went was 2 years ago. She was just a year and a half old then and oh my goodness, how she has changed since then! Totally independent, totally not needing us, and totally having her own fun at times!
Thinking about it is so bittersweet. Of course we want her to stay our baby, to stay under our wings and needing us so much, but it's also wonderful to watch her explore, play, and do exactly whatever it is she loves in that moment. (Thankfully, she is still only 3 and those moments she comes to cuddle up with us are beyond wonderful!)
Girlfriend rode rides by herself, played mini golf with mommy and daddy, went on roller coasters, took naps on her own, and so much more.
We went to Ocean City while I was pregnant with Emma. No kids yet, just ourselves being big kids at heart and played mini golf like it was our job. I remember playing next to a family with a little girl whose name was Emma and we had recently chosen that name for our first baby to come. The mom would cheer her on "Good job, Emma! Way to go, Em! Come on, Emmy!" and I loved the name even more hearing all the nicknames. I couldn't help but picture us playing mini golf on that same course in a few years with our little Emma, Em, Emmy. And it totally happened this trip!
Daddy taught her once, she watched and took note, and proceeded to get a hole in one her very first hole. (Can we all agree she is just like her Daddy when it comes to getting the hang of things...sigh...)
I think what Aves loved most was her freedom to explore, lots of time with Daddy, the fresh air, the food! Her age is just so cute, fun, curious, and playful!
She's our little sour patch kid! She can be a grump and stubborn as can be at times, but then super sweet, gives you those eyes, and curls up beside you to lay her head on you. She is full of wonder and loves to explore, test her limits, and attempt everything her big sister does.
Perhaps A's MOST favorite part of the trip was ALL THE "AIRPANES!" She couldn't get enough.
Last time we were in Ocean City, this curly haired babe was in my belly and now she was free to take in the sights herself! I'm pretty sure she loved it all!
And our little Sully bear -- our go-with-the-flow baby bear loved every moment as well. It was his first airplane ride and he did great. He flashed those dimples at just about everyone he strolled by on the boardwalk. Loved his time with family. Loved dipping those toes in the ocean.
I think each day was spent so well. Nothing really I'd change about the trip! Some days we had beer by 11am. Some days we had dessert for breakfast, or ice cream before dinner. Even let them eat ice cream in the stroller knowing damn well the seats and themselves would be covered head to toe. Donuts - lots of 'em. And went to bed entirely too late as adults knowing our kiddies would be up in a few short hours. Exactly how vacation should be, you know?
J and I even got a bike ride in alone. Whoa!
I'm not sure the sights in OC will ever get old. The sunsets, the food, the drinks, the beach and inflatable pool days, the rides, the water balloon fights, seagulls cawing bright and early, the sounds on the boardwalk of different generations sharing traditions and favorite pasttimes, the family time, the memories!
We really had an amazing trip and as usual, much needed in the midst of everyone's busy lives. It really is the best feeling when you find the time to sit back and relax once in a while..and we generally take full advantage of any breaks we get to spend together, jam packing in activities, fun, and even a little R & R here and there!
And of course, a big HUGE thank you to my inlaws for making this trip happen for all of us! The memories from this trip will last forever and we hope our kiddies will grow up with the best memories year after year!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the greatest PPA!
Our little family will be dreaming of Ocean City for now. E has cried daily to go back to "Ocean City, New Jersey in our rented car!" because "I didn't like when we lefted Ocean City, New Jersey Mommmmmy!!!"
I didn't either, girly.
