Paradise, at last

It so helps when you are beyond exhaustion and go on vacation. I'm so thoroughly immersed this year, and right into the swing of things. What I'm loving:

• Nighlty crabbing by flashlight with my daring darling. She showed up 2 pre-teens, picking up their sand crabs by paper plate. Who needs a plate, when you have speed and a sense of adventure?
• Daily clamming by the shore, sitting for hours with a swimsuit bottom heavy with sand, watching the diversity and plentitude of colorful clams washed ashore, digging voraciously before being captured and put in our buckets of sand and water. We've learned quite a bit about clam-atomy, and have 3 new shell field guides to help our explorations.
• "I swim." It's a good thing that we have Elliot's football-style suit that allows him to independently move about the pool. He won't let ANYONE hold him while in the pool, and insists that "I swim" sans help.
• Stolen moments with mom and dad and Aunt Gigi. For each of us.
• Virgin Pina Colada's and O'Douls Amber. I've never been so drunk with happiness(-;
• Baby bump in the sand...burying a hole, and lying on my "stomach" with no pressure on baby. Should I say, Baby boy?
• Playing with names for baby
• Pineapple Salsa after hours in the pool
• Not rushing anywhere, or having anything to distract me from time with my children. A perfect mother's day.
• Hands to help.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no better family vacation with little ones than a week at the beach. They are completely content, there's minimal schleping, nap time has never been easier, and there's no attraction to see, other than the light in a child's eyes when they see a fish, discover something about the ocean, or snuggle in your lap under a beach towel. I'm in love with my family, and grateful for this time. It feels like such a luxury.