Corolla 2006

Each year we go to the beach with the Parsons. I'm not sure when we started going together but it started before any of us had kids. So it's been a while. So, each year we go...except last year. AM and I were both too pregnant to go that far. It had been two years since we'd been away and we'll never go that long again without some sort of getaway.

This year we went with the Parsons and Adamsons, which meant that there were 6 adults, 1 toddler and 3 infants. Although the weather wasn't terribly cooperative, because of Hurricane Ernesto making trouble in Bermuda, we still had a really great time. As Andrew put it, "it was a great group to have cabin fever with." The baby boys all seemed to have a good time checking out each other's toys and although at this age they're only suppposed to engage in "parallel play" we did see some interaction amongst the little guys.

It seemed like most of the days were spent fitting in beach time between the many meals and naps but we enjoyed great company, tasty food, spending time at the "seaside" and breathing that ocean air. We all agreed that there's something about that air that made us all sleep better. Except when poor Grant got his ear infection.

That said, we did make several opportunities for each other to swim in the surf, the pool at the house and then hang in the hot tub with drinks when the babes were asleep. Very nice.

Julia loved the "big waves" and the "hot tub pool" where there was a green frog who would hang out underneath the cover. We named him "Frank Frog." Although she couldn't go in too far and always had to hold our hands, because of the rough surf, she is such a beach girl. She loves playing in the water and the sand and at night we would take a flashlight and have fun with the ghost crabs. Andy would pick one up occasionally and we would touch it. Very fun.

Since we have beaches at the lake in our neighborhood it gets confusing to talk to her about the beach and "the beach." One of her favorite books is "The Velveteen Rabbit." In it, the little boy gets sick and goes to "the seaside" to recover. Thus, Corolla to her is the "seaside" and "the beach" is down the street.