Mary Grace had the best time playing in the sand, swimming in the water and visiting with her cousins. She never tried to eat the sand, which was something I was kind of worried about beforehand, but she did manage to keep us from getting too relaxed in our beach chairs. Mary Grace viewed the beach as her own personal Bonneville Salt Flats. She would just take off running until we either picked her up or redirected her back towards the house. Every once in a while she would run into the water or stop to play with her cousins, but other than that she was on the move. Not even a deep heel cut from an oyster shell could slow her down; she just ran around on her tiptoes for the rest of the week.
Mary Grace gets to go swimming quite a bit, so we knew she would like the water, but I was pleasantly surprised and excited with how much she liked the waves. I would take her out to where the waves were crashing and let them break right on top of her. She thought it was great.
It was so cute to see her interact with Henry and Charlotte. Since they were together for so long, she really got to know them well. Every morning she would wake up and immediately start calling their names from her crib. It was like she couldn't see them soon enough. She and Henry even started fighting with each other towards the end of the trip, just like a brother and sister might do. Charlotte is definitely the cool older cousin. Mary Grace loved having her attention.
All in all we had a wonderful time, and couldn't have asked for a better way to spend a week. It was great seeing everyone and watching the kids explore the beach.
Getting ready to pack the car!
View from the house.
Playing in a tidal pool.
Lunch break with Henry.
Cousin Charlotte in her beach chair.
Helping Charlotte build a sand castle.
In the waves with Mommy.
"Bring it on!"
On the joggling board with Geegee at 5:30 am.
Henry and Aunt Jackie.
Searching for shells.
Mary Grace loves Charlotte.
Poppie, Geegee and Mary Grace playing in the surf while Uncle Colin catches a shark on the sandbar.
Poor little Henry in Time Out.
Enjoying a snack with Charlotte.
Eating waffles with Henry.
Sandy hair and a big smile.
Crab bikini.
Big belly.
Playing with Geegee.
Mommy and Mary Grace.
Charlotte posing for the camera.
Girls.
Some quality time with Noggin.
Charlotte is such a good cousin.
Hanging out with Henry.
Singing songs with Mommy on the porch.
Digging a hole with Daddy.
Henry and Charlotte.
Mary Grace and Charlotte.
Chilling in her rocking chair.
Rocking away.
Cool shadow picture.
Family shot.
Snuggling in the hammock.
Ready for her nap.
Mom and Dad sneak away for a drink...
Swimming with Daddy.
Sitting in a hole.
Another cool shadow picture.
Ending a long day on the beach.
