Raft!

Took us a few days, but by the end of the week we all got into the swing of making beach friends.  Pip had a buddy named Chris.  The girls bonded with twin boys, James and William.  Here they are with William in their personal pool.

Aunt Jenny and I also got a raft -- Pip was ecstatic.  Beyond the point of being able to contain himself.  Until we got it out there.  Then he didn't like the waves one bit.  Vivie went into full hysterical panic over the waves hitting her.  I tried to calm her down -- to no avail.  She wanted out.  NOW.  I probably tried to long to convince her it was safe ... so there will be therapy to come about 20 years from now. 

But when Daddy came out, suddenly the kids felt safe enough to give it another try.  Here's Pip returning from a successful adventure. 

Vivie actually quite likes it, "if you wait for the waves to come to you, Mom".

Staying up for Fireworks!

Nothing like 4th of July at the beach!  Pip and Viv were happy to play in the bunks while they waited for "midnight".

Meg and Susie shared some laughs.  I think they are gonna be good buddies.

 Viv dancing!

Pip and Viv broke out the glowsticks and we went out onto the balcony, where we had a perfect view!  Pip managed to stay awake for the whole show, but was relieved to be shown to his bed and was asleep in seconds.  Viv fell asleep on her soft, warm Daddy mid-show.

Surrey Rides

It was HOT at the beach the entire week.  I tend to prefer the hot to the cold, so I am really not complaining here, but you really did need the beach breeze to stop the constant stream of sweat.  

Even getting out early didn't help.  Felt about 100 degrees and humid on these bikes!

Pip rang the bell constantly, so no one got hurt.

An attempt at a family pic while taking a break from the surrey ride.

Horseshoe crab

Pip's horseshoe crab.  There were also about 15 pepperoni pizzas.

Antics

After a dinner of chicken and fish tacos we were getting ourselves together for some carnival rides.  Pip and Phil came up with a game of chips out on the balcony.  Guess who won.

Group pic!

The girls and I did some yoga to limber up for the rides.

The kiddie flume was Pip's speed.  The big flume was not.

Don't think Wooty liked even the kiddie one!

The previous night Pip, Viv, and I spontaneously stole away for an after dinner ferris wheel ride.  Pip was not at all sure once we got there that it was a good idea.  But Viv was confident and the attendant promised to stop it after one rotation if he changed his mind.  Going up was shaky.  I stayed strong for Pip, Viv loved every minute.  Pip was all ready to scream "get me OFF!" except on the way down he realized it wasn't too bad at all.  Actually, you could see a lot.  Ok, one more time.  So we gave three big thumbs up and went around again.  Next thing you know we had gone around all four times and Pip was begging for more!

So we returned the next night with Daddy and Meg and did a family ride.

Enough Mom!!

Pip's first Ferris Wheel kiss.

Second ice creams (or third?)

Sunset.

More beach!

We hit the beach every day.  Meg needs at least another year before we can actually relax, but Pip and Viv are quite independent.  Here they are building away.

The Bresslers!

Me and Meg went out for a swim in the peaceful waves.  Whenever her feet would touch the water she'd start kicking like crazy!

Viv getting ready for a nap.  This little noodle would quietly lay herself in the shade of the umbrella, under a towel, and take a two hour nap while everyone else played!

Ice Cream and Arcades

Pip's perfect day:  beach, pizza, arcade, first ice cream, rides, second ice cream.

Here we are having first ice cream.

And the arcade ... oh this arcade was a tempting beast.  The pull of the games was palpable.  Luckily you could keep playing till the claw snagged a prize.  This time Vivie got a three-fer!

Vivie plays a mean air-hockey game (actually, it's really a sweet game).