With the summer winding down while seeming like it had just started we all decided it was time for a little R&R. So we booked a room at Ocean Shores, packed up the kids, locked up the dog (sent dog to Grammy & Pappy's), and jumped in the McVan for some fun in the sun.
We arrived right at check in time along with a crowd of families, beach combers, and moped riders...They're a fierce bunch traveling at speeds up to five miles per hour.
Once we made it upstairs and lugged the contents of our van which consisted of suitcases, bags, Capri Sun, and Wheat Thins we found that we actually have a room with a view!
We decided after a little rest (five minutes) it was time to play Lewis and Clark. We went exploring through the hotel. On the first floor we found the exercise room (which we will NOT be using) and the swimming pool. The pool was 3 to 5 feet deep and in good condition. Clear water and no Baby Ruth candies. After dinner at the finest restaurant Ocean Shores has to offer (McDonalds) we put our swimming gear on.
Several months ago we received a gift from a special populations participant that was said to be water wings. Sadly we never opened the package until it was actually the time we needed them. Try using this giant pick made out of a dolphin...or a dolphin or a stick...WHO CREATED THIS?? IT'S GARBAGE! It has yellow peace signs on it and doesn't stay inflated! Well... Really it's our fault for not opening it up. So we left the Dolph-pick in the room and suited up for fun in the pool.
This would be Lainey's first time in the water. She loves bathtime so we thought this would be a perfect match. She's lookin' great in her Spiderman little swimmers covered up nicely with this pink and baby blue two piece. She used her white tank top as her fashionable pool side purse (since we forgot her real one). She was ready to go...Until we actually made it to the pool. She whimpered and whined as we came closer to the pool. Clawing at me like I was going to take her to her nap. On top of Lainey being apprehensive so was Maverick. Whimpering, whining, and making all sorts of bizarre noises to try and swayed us from going to the pool. Maybe we should have brought the Dolph-pick. After about ten to twenty minutes of coercing them into the pool, having them cling to both Kirsten and I like baby chimpanzees being raised by humans, they finally started to enjoy themselves. We all had a good hour of enjoyable swim time. Yeah! Maverick of course being Maverick (How You Doin') met a girl. Her name was Fiona. She was five and was able to swim. Even Maverick's ear plugs did not interfere with his game. Fiona stopped for a second and said "why does he have yellow in his ears?" Kirsten told her it was because he had to have tubes in his ears and he can't get his ears wet and the yellow keeps his ears dry. Fiona accepted this answer and kept trying to play with Maverick, yellow ears and all.
Back to the room we went to dry off, I had some itching problem...Not there...On my back. So I jumped in the shower while Kirsten played with the kids. About three minutes in I hear BOOOOOM! Lainey decided to make a jump off the bed! She likes to be a daredevil. Mama took care of the bump like she does best.
We watched a Veggie Tales movie that sucked...oh well... they can't be funny all the time. Then we attempted to put the kids to sleep...not "TO SLEEP" but to bed. This was fine for Maverick, but Lainey did not want to sleep in her play pin. We attempted to wait them out by playing this sweet game http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/pig.htm but Lainey still did not want to go to bed. Eventually we decided to put Lainey in bed with Maverick who was already asleep. We went around and McGyvered the bed to be safe.
Day one is in the books...and we are ready for BED! Not exactly the peaceful quiet get away, but much better than work or working on the house! Tomorrow we'll get up early for the free continental breakfast (Kir's most favorite thing about hotels) and hit the beach for some kite flying and R&R!