Thanks for the Memories

This week was spent at Myrtle Beach with my father and my brother and his family.  All week I've been repeating "Remember When."

Nana and Grandpa Clark have been hosting beach vacations for the past 8 years, and with only a couple exceptions, we've all attended. I hadn't even realized all the traditions we'd already created until all our events this week reminded me of past years.  

I used to plop my little baby on my lap in the lazy river and we'd float down in a tube together. This year when Alex road with me he flopped on top of me, all arms and legs hanging over.  

We didn't leave any babies behind this year when we visited the water park or the amusement park. We've even got one older one who's tall enough to ride the "big" rides all by himself. 

There was no planning around naps, diaper changes, feedings, and early bedtimes.  All five kids are big enough to play all day, stay up at the amusement park until it closes, and sleep late each morning, ready to do it all again. 

There were five kids who were perfectly happy to make their own sand creations and perfectly capable of navigating the surf all by themselves.  We took books and magazines and actually read them, had adult conversations, and lounged around. 

We used to take my grandmother to the beach. She had her own room and was content to stay at the condo, reading the paper and taking naps and staying out of the sun.  Now the elder is my father. 

And almost all five kids can swim on their own. 

This is really getting to me, this growing up with the kids thing. I am only pleased that I am here to watch it go by and appreciate every minute of it. Thanks Nana and Grandpa Clark for all the fun beach trips.  It's wonderful and we love it.