IOP 2010

So on Saturday, July 31, we rolled into the beachfront house on Isle of Palms. We were very happy to see everyone in Dan's family; like last year there were 21 of us altogether-- 12 adults and nine children (ranging in age from 14 months to 16 years). After last year, we knew what to expect, so that was good (btw, what to expect was chaos-- but happy chaos).

James LOVED playing with all the cousins' kids. He and Jenna (age 6) hit it off very well. She was so kind to share her Woody doll ("From the movie!") and to read to James. Gray (12) was another welcome guest reader. And Nate (3) and Eli (6) shared lots of fun toys and were especially good playmates on "the flat."

James was a big fan of the beach. Hooray! He would splash and play in the tidal pools, but he much preferred the ocean and playing in the waves. Especially with Daddy (who was more prone to dunking, throwing,...). James went NUTS for the waves-- he would start wiggling with sheer joy. Amazingly fun and cute. He also would just run down the beach. Far away without looking back. Chasing seagulls. Running into the waves.

We'd packed some camping mats to use for James's bed. We inflated them both, then popped them into James's nap sheet from school. Perfect fit. I'd say he fell asleep on our bed as frequently as he did on the mat. And the nights he'd sleep on the mat, he usually climbed up into our bed at some point. On the last night, he slept on the mat, and he'd put Mickey and Frosty each on their own pillow ("mat") next to him. Adorable!

Nana and Pops arrived on Sunday to stay in a hotel on the other side of the island through Wednesday. We were so glad they joined us for dinner each night, and of course we spent time together on the beach as well. On Monday they came to our beach. Tuesday was golf day for Daddy, so James and I went down to the hotel.

We played in the ocean and also made a railway in the sand, complete with crossing signs (that other beach goers obeyed-- hilarious!) for James the child-train to puff along. After lunching in Nana & Pops's room, we headed down the block for some YUMMY Ben & Jerry's.
(My one regret is that it was our only visit to the ice cream stand all week.) Then I whisked James back to the house for a nap before the big lasagna dinner. Delicious!

There was much poker, rummy, and bananagrams (Jen's new fave game). And lots of frozen drinks. And the meal schedule Kim created on Sunday was a big help/stress relief. I loved sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch at any time of day-- early morning, James's afternoon nap, before/after dinner,... just watching the waves roll in.

The weather was really great all week. A few showers here and there, but plenty of sun every day. We did get some major storms on the last day (during which I displayed my fear of lightning when we went to rescue the tent and beach chairs), but they were well-scheduled: early morning, naptime, and after dinner.

Saturday morning came much too soon, and after many hugs and a few tears, we said goodbye to the ocean and climbed back in the car. We made it to Virginia that afternoon, and stopped at a hotel (where we'd stopped on the way home in April) to eat, swim and sleep. James got his own big bed. So exciting!

We rolled back into our driveway at 3:45 Sunday afternoon, and have returned to life as we know it. Dan is back at work. I am back to running on pavement (with hills). And James is, much to his protest, sleeping in his crib. Looks like we'll be setting up the twin bed this weekend...