Summer Vacation: Day 7

This day marked the first time we were left entirely to our own devices.  

We started like normal with screens and food.

 Then we loaded up all of our things and dragged them to the beach.  We still couldn't get in the water.  But that didn't stop others from swimming.  The beach was swarmed with screaming children who just got stung by jellyfish.  Seriously, if you had never been to the beach before, you would think it was a place to torture children.  We saw at least 2 dozen jellyfish victims in the first 90 minutes we were there.

 W declared it a sandcastle day

 And!  We both bought folding chairs so we could sit by the water and actually see our children-- this was a totally new thing for us, and we sort of liked it.

 Dorothy and I supervised the sand castling

 While the boys worked and fought.

 Queen!

 Dorothy likes nothing more than sitting in a dirt hole.

 Post-lunch swim!

 We went back to the beach to get our things from our orange chairs, and we noticed that people had finally gotten the memo to stay the heck out of the water.  We assumed because of the jellyfish.  But then!  The people in the chairs next to us told us that there were SHARKS feeding right off the beach and the lifeguards made everyone get out.  OH MY GOD.

We went back to the Frog for dinner

 And we closed out the night shopping for souvenirs and taking these ridiculous pictures:

Jack's is the best, obvs.

Summer Vacation: Day 6

The kids' favorite thing about the place where we stay at Sea Pines is definitely the alligators who live in the landscaping.  I have to tell you, these are, um, not my favorite things.

In honor of John and Caleb's last day on the island, I brought my real camera to the beach.

 This is not my favorite picture of me, but I do love the unflattering way I am standing because there used to be a picture of my grandma hanging up in my grandpa's den, and she was standing the exact same way, although she definitely also had a cigarette, and I am just waving.

 Jumping for joy and still game after about 100 outtakes.

 Jack loves nothing more than a good cartwheel in the waves

 Dorothy loves to be dirty, so she was in heaven in the sand

 Both of her little feet off the ground!

She ran pretty hard, but no one could beat Cooper

He's fast.

 I love the way Jon and Caleb vacation.  Even on their last day, they are up for anything.  I usually waste my last day anywhere getting ready for the trip home.

 Dudes on the beach

 The fam

 The best one we got

 Jon and Caleb took the kids on a shell walk every morning.

 I totally love this one

 After we said goodbye to Jon and Caleb, the rest of us went to our favorite burger place

And then!  Here are other pictures that Blogger uploaded randomly because it hates me.

Queen of the castle:

 Lunch beverages

 Afternoon daiquiri:

 Ice cream and souvenirs

Breakfast, with screens:

Summer Vacation: Day 5

I woke up early and took the kids to our favorite breakfast sport.  This was not as fun as it would have been in the days before intermittent fasting, but the coffee was lovely.

 We also spent some time at our favorite playground before meeting up with Jon, Caleb, and my parents. 

 We split up into 2 groups for the morning.  The girls went swimming:

 And the boys went to a forest preserve:

Then we all reconvened for the best sandwiches on the island and some pretty excellent cupcakes.

 And then!  BACK TO TH BEACH

 The beach was actually pretty terrible for the next couple of days, despite what these pictures might lead you to believe.  The water was warm and still, and the tide didn't come in until nighttime, and there were SO! MANY! JELLYFISH!  Also, it was 103, and we all almost died of heat exhaustion.

 The kids were so excited to get cleaned up and ride the trolley to dinner

 Where they ate SO! MUCH! CRAB!

 To celebrate Jon and Caleb's last night, we had champagne and dessert and Cards one more time.

We have only been home for a few days, and  am already looking at houses for next summer.