Home Again

Well, we are home from our mini-cation.

A three-day trip actually became a two day trip. Let me explain.

I know my husband is never on time. Well, let me clarify: he is on time for work, and was on time for our wedding (13 years ago this October).

So why did I think we would leave our house by 9 am on Friday? Oh, I know...I live in Fantasy Land. And it is a great place, everything always goes as I plan - with no surprises, and everything is within my control. This is a great place - as long as I don't have to leave.

Well, 9 am Friday came and went. We did not leave our house until 10:40 am. Now I know, that does not sound like a big difference. But to me, it was. I had planned (in Fantasy Land) that leaving by 9 am put us at the beach house by 12 noon. Plenty of time to actually get to the beach by 1 pm and spend a day playing in the surf and sand. Leaving at 10:40 am did not.

We hit afternoon traffic through Philly, and more traffic in Jersey than I anticipated.

So we did not get to the beach house until 1:45 pm. Not in time to see the surf or sand that day.

We did get to see some amazing nature at work that evening. Inside our gazebo we had this huge caterpillar start to make a cocoon. He crawled all the way to the top of one side, and began spinning his silk. It was amazing. By the end of the night, word got around the campground and about 10 kids had stopped by to see the caterpillar at work.

So Saturday would be a beach day, right?

No. Such. Luck.

We had probably the most severe thunder storm I have ever experienced while at our beach house. Within the first 5 minutes, we lost power. (This is the first time any of us have been at our beach house in a power outage - hubby was not happy)

Double whammy. I am prepared for rainy days at the beach house. We have two video game systems for the kids to play.

News Flash! They don't work without power.

Once the rain stopped, and the rivers, I mean streets, dries up, the kids were able to ride their bikes.

Oh, and did you know the pool in our campground cannot be opened if there is no electric? I didn't - until Saturday.

( You are probably thinking - why didn't you take the kids and go DO something? Right? I have learned the hard way - Do. Not. Go. Anywhere. at the beach on a Saturday. The weekly vacationers are arriving and traffic is HORRIBLE)


Electric was restored around 1:30 pm. The pool opened around 4pm. Enough time for Miss M to go hang out with her friends (she passed her pool exam this year and can go without a parent). Drewby had daddy take him to the pool for swim time. At six, he has four more year until he can take his swim test. (We hear how unfair that is on a regular basis.)

Saturday night was fun. Our beach house neighbors were down and had a birthday party for their son, and invited my kids over. They had a great time with a pinata and cake.

Miss M delighted in informing my that "Daddy is outside - talking to a girl!" At the age of 10, this must seem like a big deal: telling mommy that daddy is outside talking to a pretty girl. (It was the neighbor's sister-in-law) I did have to tease my husband about what Miss M said for, oh, at least 1/2 hour.

Later, the adults all sat around listening to music, talking, and having some cocktails.

Sunday was a great day. We did finally get to hit the beach. Surf, sand, and sun. And LOTS of people. (I typically do not like LOTS of people - more on that in a future post)

True to form, Miss M did not go in the water. (See "Cosmetic Enhancements" Fact of the Day for why) Although she did dig a hole in the sand deep enough to hit water.

Drewby, on the other hand, had a blast. Daddy took him out deep (to Drewby's chest), in the freezing cold water, and taught him how to boogie board. He had a blast. (I will post a pic as soon as I figure out how)

The drive home was uneventful. And the 3-day mini-cation served it's purpose. Family relaxation and fun.

I think we may head back for one last beach fling before school starts. Because, one day of preparing is so worth the time at the beach.


Til next time, I'll still be...

Being Brenda