J and M + j + s: The Beach!

Julian and I were very proud when we realized that both Josh and Sam have been to the beach every summer of their lives. Both kids are certified Beach Bums, so I think this is a tradition we will have to keep up. Julian's Mom and Stepdad have rented the same house the past few years, in Rehobeth so we were able to go for a long weekend over the 4th of July.

We left Friday afternoon so that the kids could nap in the car on the drive to the beach. It mostly worked as planned, although both kids only took about 1hr naps. Josh woke up from his nap screaming and crying, a telltale sign that he is getting sick. And his nose started running. After getting some Advil Josh settled down. Both kids were pretty good in the car, even though they were awake. We didn't hit traffic until we got close to Rehobeth, so that was good. Josh had been a bit overly whiny in the morning (another telltale sign he is getting sick), so we packed the nebulizer just incase. We had him use it right when we arrived to make sure that he wouldn't have a full on asthma attack.

Both kids LOVED exploring the house. Sam started walking in the last week or two, and enjoyed walking all around the house. Josh remembered the beach house from the year before, and was very happy to be back. We decided to rent a pack and play and stroller for this trip, so that we would have extra room in the car to bring our bikes (and burley). The stroller was a bust because the front wheel was not adjustable, but the crib worked out well. Lesson learned to always ask about the front wheel when renting.

After settling in a bit, we all headed out to dinner at Grotto's! And to purchase beach toys for the next day :-)

Both kids had a rough night sleeping the first day. We had them sleep in the same room, which actually worked out great. Sam was a bit scared of sleeping in a new room, until he realized that Josh was there too. Fortunately they both did really well sharing the room for the rest of the trip. Even for nap!

Both kids LOVED the beach. No shock there :-) Josh had several shovels and toys and loved digging really big holes. Sam loved jumping in the holes and upsetting Josh, until he discovered the water...which he absolutely loved. We finally got Josh into the water on the last day, and I think we have converted him. He realized how fun it was to jump and splash. Both kids LOVED to demand buckets of water to dump out on the sand, or just to splash in.

We brought our bikes this year, and we were happy to use them a few times. We biked with the whole family and stopped to pick up some donuts to bring back to the house. Julian also took the kids out for a bike ride while I went running, and Julian and I were able to bike out for lunch while Bobby watched the kids.

We also made it back to Funland, and they both had a great time. It was so cute to see them both sitting together on the rides. Josh would have loved to spend all day there.

We drove back home around bedtime, which worked out very well. And it was nice to get an extra beach day in by leaving late :-)

Overall we had a great trip, and can't wait to spend many more summers at the beach!