Unlike a lot of our friends who take several trips to the beach over summer, we only had one trip planned: a single week, so we had to make it count. Our trip was originally scheduled for the week following July 4, but Lindsay's work schedule required a change of plans. This rescheduling turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the girls were so much more comfortable in the water after that extra month of pool time, and we had the most gorgeous weather imaginable for the entire week.
After a short, uneventful three and a half hour drive from Charlotte, we arrived at our favorite Wrightsville resort at around 4:45 on Sunday afternoon. We unpacked and got settled into our suite and then headed downstairs for a quick dinner. After which, we were all itching to get our toes in the sand.
My people.
I had no idea how much I needed this until I was there. That salty air. That sea breeze. The sounds of the crashing waves. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it or how calming and therapeutic it can be. Just watching them made my heart smile. Big.
The girl who usually won't get even her pinky dirty
wasted no time getting acclimated to the sand.
And, of course, posing.
Sweet sleeping sisters.
After a good night's rest was had by all, we began Monday morning by getting into a routine that went so smoothly that we continued it each day all week. We'd hit either the beach of the pool in the morning (and by morning, I mean around 10:30 or so), then the big girls would head to Kids' Club for two hours (which they LOVED) while Lindsay, Wright, and I had a quiet lunch, then we'd return to either the beach or the pool. Dinner was most often room service which we enjoyed on our ocean front balcony. The evenings varied but included nighttime swimming, a dive in movie, and a trip into town for ice cream and new hermit crabs.
This one was initially unsure of her feelings of the sand/ocean.
She spent a lot of time saying 'Toes! Toes!' and wanting her feet to be cleaned.
Filling up our sand toy box with water made her so happy.
It was a daily 'must do'.
This girl.
Ocean lover.
And, Murphy.
Sunning, of course.
Pestering.
One of my favorite pictures. Ever.
Wrighty quickly warmed up to both the sand and the water. In fact, she was the most comfortable and free in the ocean of any of our girls at a comparable age.
Group shot - mid activity.
The water box had many uses.
The big girl requested a photo before round two on day one.
We weren't sure how sleeping would work out since we were all going to be staying in a single suite. Well, as it turned out, Little Miss Wright took on the sleeping habits of a teenager rather than a not-quite two year old. On Monday morning, we were shocked when she slept till nearly 9:30. Little did we know that the next two mornings, she would need to be woken up at ELEVEN AM!
Rise and shine, Beautiful!
Apparently, sleeping behind plexiglass and INSIDE a shower is especially soothing for her.
Cheetos. Simply cheetos.
The only appropriate breakfast after a nearly noon wake up time.
While Wright was catching some extra zzz's
Daddy was burying Murphy in the sand.
Love them. So much.
(And love their Daddy for snapping this pic.)
I was warming her up. She was cooling me down.
Murphy woke up each morning asking to go to her 'class' (Kids' Club) and said throughout the week that it was her favorite part of each day. The girls loved the attention from the counselors (they were often the only kids there) and made crafts out the wazoo each day. Lindsay and I loved the early afternoon downtime and the chance for a little individual time with our Bitty Boo.
Enjoying lunch with a view.
Checking out the lobby birds.
That moment when I gave in to a tantrum and let her hold her own ice cream treat.
Sandtastic.
Afternoon shallow sea fishing.
Pool time with Daddy.
These two got in some extra special beach bonding during the week.
Bedtime stories read by an overly-sunned big sister.
A morning gaze anticipating the day ahead.
Vacation agrees with her.
Adorable, super hip $9 swimsuits from Target agree with her Mom.
Late afternoon sand play with just my big girl.
(Though nobody napped all week, downtime for the littles was occasionally needed.)
Seagull chaser.
Precious.
Working on her potions.
Another day. Another ice cream treat.
That time I tired to take a picture of all three girls.
So hard to get a genuine smile from Number One.
Love this one.
Taking a break from the beach by making magic wands out of snail shells.
{Well, of course.}
Party the WRIGHT way.
I, mean, come on. How could we not take advantage of this photo op?!
Our Three.
{Turns out, you move the three down to the water's edge,
plop them down on a body board, and precious pics come pretty easily.}
That sums up a pretty standard beach trip I suppose, but for us, this was such a wonderful week. We made memories, and realized that vacations actually can be relaxing and enjoyable even with young children involved. We were sad to head home and are all itching for our next oceanic getaway. Moments after we arrived home, as I was still unloading the car, I walked into the art room to see this single word written by Carter on our chalkboard wall:
Looks like we were all left with the same feeling.
{And, there really is no "i" in family.}
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