The Beach

The trip down on Friday was really good. I've decided that we should never plan car trips when my kids should be sleeping. They do much better when they stay awake and eat and play. I'm not sure why it took me so long to realize this. If they don't sleep in the car, then stop trying to drive during nap time?! The house we rented was so cool. It had a third floor loft with a twin over full bunk that became Elle and Grady's "room". We even had room to put Reese in his own bedroom in his pack and play! The house was right across the street from the pool, which if you have young kids, you know how convenient that is. We could take a short two minute drive to the public beach access.

We headed down the the beach bright and early Saturday morning. It was beautiful, but unfortunately, the water was full of seaweed. But there was plenty of sand that needed to be played with.

The seaweed also brought in these bizarre sea slugs, or sea hares as I later found out. I have never seen these (that I can remember) in all my years of going to the beach. They were oozing purple stuff. Elle and I have been studying creation and we had just finished the 5th day where God created all the sea creatures. He said it was good, so I guess He meant these sea slugs too.

After an early dinner out Saturday night, we went back down to the beach to play and watch the sunset. The kids were going nuts. Running like crazy up and down the sand. Laying in it. Rolling in it. Sliding in it. Digging in it.

This is how Grady looked when we got ready to leave. There was sand over every exposed part of his body. I'm proud to report not one grain got in his eye. And there was no crying. Only laughing.

Reese was a bit confused by all the rolling in the sand.

Sunday and Monday were equally gorgeous. The water was free of seaweed and therefore, sea hares. We did see dolphins, a few rays, jellyfish (while out on the kayak), fish, crabs, seagulls, pelicans, and even two hineys from some thong swimsuits. What's a trip to the beach without a few naked bottoms, right?

Monday was a bit stressful because I was waiting on a call from the anesthesia department to go over instructions for surgery as well as tell me what time to be there Tuesday morning. The day went on and I never got a call. I tried every number possible: the urologist's office, the outpatient surgery center, the anesthesia pre-screening people. Nothing but answering machines. I called the hospital operator and she kindly informed me that every one was off for Labor Day. I finally had my neighbor go to our house and find the paperwork (which I forgot?!) and give me the right number. The number you are supposed to call if nobody calls you by 11 AM. Called it. Rang and rang and rang and rang. No answer. Not even an answering machine.

Long story short, Monday night was a bit restless. I called the anesthesia department at 5:30 AM and thankfully everything worked out and we were there by our scheduled time of 7:15. Come to find out, they had my number wrong. Switched two digits. I did call last week to verify the number:). Reese was back to normal today. He hasn't acted like he is in any pain at all. That is, until he stuck his fingers in between the oven drawer and the oven when it was on tonight. And they got stuck. I was right there so it was only a few seconds, but enough to burn his little fingers. Nothing like a little second degree blister burn on your two finger tips. He's bandaged up well with some neosporin and gauze tonight.