The next morning, we loaded up, and caravanned three cars the five hours from Frisco to Galveston, TX where we would be staying for a week in a beach house. The drive was (mostly) uneventful. BBH and Larger Child were in his car, Mom and Dad (and their dog Chloe) were in their car, and Smaller Child and I were in my car. We all managed to get where we needed to go, and somehow stayed together through most of it... until Houston. That is where we lost BBH. Damn Houston. For such a pretty city, your traffic is sure a pain in the tuckass.
Most of the drive in my car consisted of Smaller Child sleeping through me belting out whatever top 40 station I managed to get on my radio. Although, there was stretch of road that only had religious talk radio or old time country. While I don't mind me some Patsy Cline, I was grateful for Pandora. However, around hour four, we were both incredibly restless and READY to be out of the car...
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| this is what I starred at most of the drive... the back end of my parents' car. |
But, it didn't take long before we crossed the bridge, and landed on the small skinny island of Galveston. It seems like the mood and temperature changes the moment you hit land... so do the sights. I was particularly fond of this guy. If I were a lady shrimp...
The house we rented was fantastic! Enough room for us all to have our own space without feeling like we were on top of one another, and one fantastic view.
Once we unloaded, we almost immediately headed out to the deck to check out the sights.
Inspired by my surroundings, I took advantage of the leisure time to make a jellyfish. This small project soon turned in to a week long task, the one jellyfish turning in to six to give to all the kids (and my mom).
Wait! How did the kids multiply? I'll get to that...
The first full day on the beach was spent mostly at the seashore. We swam, splashed, played, body surfed, and introduced Smaller Child to the magnitude of the ocean. He was a bit intimidated at first. Afraid of the seaweed, he really didn't want to be in the water without one of us holding him. He sure didn't mind stomping around the sand though. Larger Child, comfortable in his (required) life jacket, enjoyed the surf and waves. He splashed and giggled like he was a born beach bum.
BBH and I turned in to giggling teenagers. Once we knew the little ones were being watched after by GeeGee and Grandpa, we tore off for the deeper surf. The ocean was very choppy, and there were quite a bit of waves. We stayed close to one another, laughing, swimming, jumping, and PLAYING together. I hadn't smiled that much, and laughed that long in ages. It was wonderful and beautiful to play with my husband in that way. Let loose, giggle and be free. My cheeks and sides hurt by the time we hit the beach again.
Thoroughly wrecked by the day in the waves, we all went back to the house, had dinner, and got ready for bed. An hour or so after our little family was asleep, my brother, his wife, and their three kids arrived to share in the vacation with us!
Sunday morning, we had a late start. We enjoyed a big breakfast all together, and spent some time just playing, visiting, and relaxing in the house. Larger Child and his cousin, Lyra are about the same age, so the moment they get together they are practically inseparable... and I didn't see one without the other for most of the rest of the trip. Jack, my brother's youngest just turned four, and he split his time between playing with big sis and Smaller Child... though it was clear he had a bit of the middle child syndrome. A "Goldylocks" affect, where one group of kids was a bit too old, and the other a bit too young. But, he made do. Greg, the oldest of the kids hung out mostly with the adults. He was great company, and helped out a ton through the week. It was really nice spending some time with them, getting to know them better, and letting them get to know me. Though, I will admit, there were times having FIVE children in the house was overwhelming. (to say the least) But, for the most part, all of them got along well, and there were only a few blowouts that we had to referee. I was impressed.
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| Jack and Smaller Child playing "Vroom Vrooms" |
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| This is what eleven people in a beach house looks like. |
Sunday afternoon, BBH and I took our kids out to explore the town. We went to a few little souvenir shops, but the big plan was to take the kids to Rainforest Café for lunch. If you've never been to a Rainforest Café, and you have small children, you really should try it. They are pretty neat experiences. There are animatronic safari animals in the dining room, the whole place is decked out ceiling to floor to look like a rainforest, and every twenty minutes or so, the lights dim, thunder rolls in, and the rainforest comes alive. This particular café also had a safari boat ride inside, which was a big hit for the kids.
By the time we got back that evening, it was close to dinner. We helped cook and clean up, then it was time to celebrate a certain someone's SECOND BIRTHDAY! (You can read all about this in a later post... for now I am going to say it was quaint and perfect.)
That night, BBH and I snuck away for a sunset beach walk. It was by far my most favorite part of the whole trip. The sunset was breathtaking, the time spent holding hands, beach combing, reflecting, really talking with BBH was priceless. It was one of those rare moments where you can really FEEL the presence of God, of love, and of life surrounding you. Magical.
Monday we spent the day at Paradise Pier riding rides, playing carnival games, and having just the best darn time you can. It is a pier in Galveston that was totally wiped out by Hurricane Ike. It has since been rebuilt into an amusement park offering several gut wrenching and thrilling rides. The day started off in the rain. But, we decided not to let that stop us... we powered through, and within an hour or so, the rain cleared off, creating one gorgeous and memorable day!
I have to say, Larger Child really surprised me. He was FEARLESS. He rode every single ride there. Some of them even I chose to sit out of. It was awesome to watch him!
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| This was one of those rides I sat out on... a loop that loops and loops and loops... no thanks. But, the kids loved it! |
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| This was called the texas high flier. It was a normal carnival swing, but REALLY REALLY high... It was awesome! LC rode this one three times. |
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| the roller coaster behind us here was called the Steel Shark. IT was my favorite. Check out that straight drop there. Awesome. |
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| Little Lyra rocking the "Pirate Striker!" |
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| waiting for the ferris wheel |
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| view from the ferris wheel |
Tuesday morning, BBH had to head back home, and get back to work. I was sad. I wasn't sure how I would feel about being there without him... flammy vacation turned in to family vacation... part of my heart went home.
I spent the morning crocheting (and sulking a little) until the kids started swarming, wanting to get in to my yarn. I took that opportunity to teach them some basic finger weaving. It was super fun to watch them learn. They all made bracelets, necklaces, and even used the scraps in some pretty imaginative ways!
That day the decision was for the guys to head to Houston to check out a battleship, and the ladies (with the addition of Smaller Child) to stay in town and do some shopping. It was a fun and relaxing day, disregarding the momentary wrong way drive down a one way road. They boys seemed to have fun as well, and I got to hear all about it when they got home.
Wednesday we went to Moody Gardens. We checked out their awesome aquarium, elaborate and impressive rainforest greenhouse, met some dinosaurs, and played in their interactive science of music exhibit. The kids all really seemed to enjoy themselves. (I did too!)
We knew that Thursday would be our last full day, so we reserved the day to spend at the beach. We loaded up the sunscreen, lawn chairs, and sand toys and spent the day at the water. Larger Child and Lyra learned about how the ocean was just teeming with life. They found crabs, small fish, shrimp, and teeny jellies that they captured and put in their own little tidepool. Smaller Child became much more comfortable with the water and spent his time splashing, falling, laying, and kicking around. Mom and Dad seemed to enjoy spectating, though they both spent their fair share in the surf, even taking a turn on the boogie boards. The rest of us all took shifts watching the littles, and going out in the deep surf playing in the waves. It was a day of sun and fun. We all came home wooped, covered in sand, and nursing sunburns.... with HUGE smiles on our faces.
That evening we packed, loaded, and began to get ready for an early departure the next day.
Friday, we gathered up what was left, and high-tailed it out. We stopped off for breakfast on the way home. The drive was uneventful, though Houston got the best of us again, and we lost another in the caravan. By the time we got back to Mom and Dad's I was so tired, I barely made it to 8:00 before going to bed myself. It was truly a memorable week. A long vacation, full of loads of laughs, exhaustion, (and some frustration at times... but what do you expect with that many personalities in one place for that long?). Some of the best memories were in the small moments. The little lapses of time between the big things. Like taking silly pictures with the littles.
Or watching LC wiggle his toes in the sand. Running in to the waves, playing "Ready... ready.... GO!" with Smaller Child. Teaching my niece how to crochet. Watching my BBH cook breakfast for a horde. Watching him dive into waves taller than his head, laughing and grasping at my hands. Walking down the boardwalk with Mom. Seeing her splash in the surf like a kid, and doting on her grandchildren like that was her one purpose on Earth, or hearing her squeal the first time she was brave enough to touch a crab.
Or catching Smaller Child and Grandpa watching ships together
Or hearing Smaller Child say, from the backseat of the car as we drove out of town, "Bye Bye Beesh! Bye Bye Oseeen! Bye Bye Craaab!
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