Friday, last full day at the beach

Happy Birthday Owen!!! We had so much fun celebrating Owen's first birthday at the beach. It was a rough start for Owen. He woke up around 5:30am, cranky and crying. It took two bottles to finally get him back to sleep around 6:30am. By then, the other two were up but they were playing quietly, so I slept in until 7am. I made everyone breakfast - and the birthday boy and Joe finally woke around 8am. After we ate, it was time to open presents! Alex got Owen a stuffed frog. Jenna got Owen a car. Mom and Dad got Owen a toy remote control, which he did not want to let go of all day! Heather got Owen clippos and they were a huge hit with all three kids! Some green stuff fell out of Heather's card, too! Due to our celebrations, we had a late start to the beach. But, wow, what a day!! The waves were out of control!! They were huge and powerful and we had a blast. Joe, the daredevil, went way out and let the waves crash over his head. Me, well, I was more cautious and when the break reached my shoulders I called it quits and headed for land. Alex and Jenna had so much fun sitting further inland and letting the waves push them ashore. I tried it once and what a ride! Owen had another great day in the waves and playing in the sand. He looks so cute walking down the beach. We hit the pool on our way back to the condo for a quick dip and then up for lunch. After lunch we sang to Owen, though I forgot the candle...bad Mommy! I made Owen froggy cupcakes and he did a number on one!!! He is destructive by nature, and he unleashed his wrath on this poor cupcake! More of it went through his tiny fists than actually got in his mouth! It was a great time! After a short nap, the kids wanted to go back to the pool. Owen and I headed to the beach for a short walk. We saw a small crab and Owen loved chasing it. Owen really wanted to go in the water but it was really low tide and the sand was really soft, I just kept sinking. I didn't go out as far as he wanted and he was getting angry! Luckily, Joe and the kids joined us on the beach and Joe took Owen out further for his "wave fix". We played in the water a bit longer but the wind really picked up and the sand started to blow, which does not feel nice at all. We ran for the condo and as we were getting in a storm blew in. It was actually nice to watch a storm out at ocean. It blew over soon and now it is nice again. I'd like to get on the balcony for one more night, but I'm trying to get us all packed up. How fast the week went by!!! It has been a great vacation for all of us and I am so happy we did this. Now, if only I can remember this feeling 3 hours into our trip back home, 6 hours in, 9 hours in....15 hours driving time alone - then count in the potty breaks, the food breaks, the gas breaks - they never all line up! We'll be home Sunday. Until then...