Joy, Sue and the Zoo: Sandy Toes & Sticky Buns

The moment the briny smell of the salt air begins to permeate the car, you are almost there...

Ahhhhh, sandy toes!

After we (and I use the term "we" very loosely) spent 2 weeks packing, and 2 hours stuffing everything in the minivan, we were off for our beach vacation to Ocean City, NEW JERSEY ... not Maryland!

Growing up, I spent a week every summer at OCNJ, and I love to make my own kids roll their eyes as I tell them stories about, "when I was little ...". So much has changed, but so much has stayed the same.

After unpacking, we headed to the boardwalk to our favorite pizza place for some dinner.

Then we wandered along the beach for a little while before we headed back to the boards for some free samples.

The wonderful tradition of "Can We Pleeeeeease Buy _______________" began as soon as we passed the first beach store selling hermit crabs, and continued relentlessly for the rest of the evening.

Charlie: "Why is it called a boardwalk?"
Joy: "Because it is made out of boards."
Charlie: "Oh, I thought it was because it was soooo boring!"
sigh

sweet dreams

Our friends April & Ruth, who have a beach house down the street from our rental, brought us some yummy goodness for breakfast!

thanks for breakfast girls:)

The first morning at the beach, I could barely tear the kids from their DSs, but I did manage to persuade the boys to head to the beach with me. The weather was unseasonally cool (70 degrees at 11am), so while I sat in my beachchair wrapped up in my boys' Buzz Lighyear & Nemo towels, Ethan & Charlie had a great time enjoying each others' company in a way that would never happen at home.

capturing sand crabs -- lots and lots and LOTS of them!

We finally got too cold and hungry, and left the beach for some lunch and some dryer clothes, but soon enough we were back at the beach this time with Olivia as well.