Day 8 - Jolly Roger Park

So today we spent the morning swimming. It was so much fun actually. Brent loves the bigger pool, and he was practicing jumping in and getting under the water. Fun, that is, until I figured out he had swallowed too much water. When did I figure it out, you ask? Somewhere between the first time he threw up a gallon of water on me, and the third time.

But after the tummies settled and we had rested a bit, we headed out to ride some rides and seek some adventure. Well, we found the right place.

I'll sum up the excitement by this little story. I asked the kids if they wanted to go RIDE SOME TRAINS, and they jumped up and down and hooted and hollered. Then Brent grabs his shorts and says "Mommy, I pee myself". I knew then it was going to be a good day.

We got there around three, and first up was a little kiddie train. I squeezed in beside him, anxious about letting him ride the rides by himself at first. My knees tightly pressed against the rails, we took off, and the smiles began. We rode the little pink train around in its circles a few times, then it was off to the racecars. I let him ride this one by himself...how bad could it be? The train was pretty calm! Well, as I watched him narrowly avoid whiplash through the squeals and smiles, I knew somehow he was going to be okay.

Then it was off to climb rope ladders and slide down slides, then over to the small ferris wheel, the pirate ship that wagged back and forth, the dune buggies that jumped around like a spider and squeaked like a mouse. I rode the helicopters with him, still wary of the small chains supposedly holding the children in, but he did great. We even rode the kiddie roller coaster, which put even a little flutter in my own belly. Finally, just in time for our tickets to expire, the kids started looking like little hobos drunkenly walking around, intoxicated on the excitement and the lights. They could barely keep their eyes open as they continued to beg for 'Just one more".

Now, even with my burning sun poison, and my tired body, I would do it again in an instant. I listen to their happy snoring so early in the evening, and know no matter how hard this trip has been in some ways...that they now have memories that will last a lifetime. And even if my camera didn't capture every one, I know they are being held dear in all of our hearts.

Tomorrow we head home, and I know we will all be glad to sleep in our own beds. But I will miss the closeness of our families this week, and that feels a lot like home too.

Day 5 - Assateague Island

Today we went an a little charter ferry thing over to Assateague Island. We saw some wild horses from the boat, and got out and looked in the bay for little creatures. It was so much fun. Brent was exhausted, but he's snoozing good now.... To the sounds of Thomas that are hopefully keeping the rest of the sounds of city in the background.

Day 3 - Meltdown day

The kids are really getting off schedule now, and alternate between extreem sweetness and fun-loving, to melting-down towering plazas of tears and emotion. Luckily it's still more of the former for now. The beach was still where we left it yesterday, though our sand-castle making skills haven't improved much (note to self: Google "Making Sand Castles for Dummies").

My mom and I are leaving the kids with my sister and heading to the boardwalk tonight to PAR-TY! Well, as much as possible :)

A sweet after pool moment in our new towels....

Naptime

Brent and I escaping the beach scene and taking a "nap"

Ocean City, Day 2

So, for those who don't know, my mom, sister, my two nieces, Brent and I are spending the week at a condo at Ocean City. I'll sum up day 1 in a few words....4 hours of sitting in traffic barely moving with three kids under the age of 4 in the back of a minivan.

Day 2 is going much better. We've been to the beach and the pool and eaten tons of food - everything a vacation should be. We're exhausted (well, not the kids, they are currently "sleeping", which I guess means "Making monkey noises on the bed while jumping and hollering"). We're sandy in every place imaginable (and some that never fail to surprise you), sore from walking, and our skin feels raw and wonderful all at the same time. In short. We're having fun. Now, let me get some pictures uploaded before I go put the kids back to bed....again.....

A visual trip to the zoo