Coastal Getaway

This past weekend we had the chance to get away to the coast for a couple of days with my parents. It was a "Scott's-done-with-his-MBA-and-we-need-a-break" trip. :) We got hooked up with a sweet 3 bedroom condo at one of our favorite resorts through our timeshare and loved waking up and falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the rocks right outside our windows.

We spent time (a lot of time, actually) in the various pools at the resort. Mister is basically part fish and may or may not have sprouted gills during this trip. Between swimming pool visits we went to a great park that had the most intricate, amazing play structure I've ever seen. It's a good thing it wasn't crowded and that I had 3 other sets of adult eyes on the boys because it sure would've been easy to lose track of them there. The park was on a lake and had a beautiful little swimming beach. I think next time we're in the area I'll have the kids play there since the lake water is warmer than the ocean and there are no dangerous things like riptides or sharks to worry about. Scott was a little put-out that we went to the coast but never made it to the beach, but I wasn't too sad to miss it. We stayed right on the water (rocky bluffs, no beach) and the kids had a blast. I wasn't too sad to avoid lugging everything from the car to the beach, getting EVERYTHING full of sand and having to clean it out of every single bag, swimsuit, toy, body part, etc.

We ate at a restaurant that put Mister's drawing up in their window. He was super proud of himself! It's the brownish/orange-ish whale on the bottom in the middle.

My parents were brave enough to watch all 3 boys for us one night so Scott and I could go out on a nice dinner date. Aside from one quick 1-hour outing once, this was the first time we'd left Baby Bear with anyone. We normally get sitters for Mister and Pumpkin, but have been taking Baby Bear with us when we go out on dates. I know, I know, judge if you must. I felt the same way about things like that before Baby Bear came along, but it's what works for us this time around, so it's what we do. Baby Bear is humbling us, that's for sure. We thought we knew the ropes after 2 kids who were pretty similar as babies. I never understood how easy I had it with Mister and Pumpkin. Now, Baby Bear is an easy baby, as long as his needs are met. That means lots of holding, cuddling, face time, etc. As long as that's happening, he's easy and happy. Put him down for more than a few minutes and he will angrily voice his displeasure. Our Ergo has literally saved my sanity with this little one! :) Mister and Pumpkin weren't cuddly at all and didn't want to be held much. They much preferred being on a blanket or play mat to being in our arms. Anyway, we ended up having a wonderful date out and went to one of the nicest restaurants we've been to in a long time. You know, the kind where the portions are so small that you have to order an appetizer and dessert in order to be satisfied. Not that I'm complaining at all - each course was absolutely heavenly and I enjoyed every single bite. :) And it turned out that Baby Bear slept most of the time we were gone, so it wasn't too rough on my parents after all.