I think that Owen was the most improved at the beach. Last year it took him a couple days to get comfortable even splashing in the surf and the last day we convinced him to let us carry him in the ocean. This year, totally different. The first day he was ready to run in. Sadly the no swim flags were up as it was really rough. But he made the best of it and learned how to bodysurf in on the breaks. Then once the ocean calmed down and it calmed down a lot; Owen went right in. Standing, walking, swimming, diving through waves, jumping waves, diving for shells; he did it all and was so proud of himself and announced multiple times "this is so awesome." Other than swimming in the ocean a lot, him, Daddy and Aiden did a lot of big hole digging and fort building. He also really enjoyed walking the dogs on the beach collecting shells. The special items we found were a broken sand dollar, horseshoe crab, a 4-legged sea star, and also a decaying sting ray (with Aiden's help). He had a blast!
Aiden last year loved splashing around and actually wanted to go in the ocean being carried. This year he was about the same. Loved swinging and splashing in the water. Also enjoyed going in the ocean, just not as much as brother, and even let us just hold him by his hands. He got to jump and dive under waves too. He is such a busy boy though he would have a job every time, whether it was carry water back from the ocean, digging, building, etc, he was a busy beach boy.
There was a neighborhood pool that we did go play at two times, but once the ocean was calm, we never went back. Thank goodness, I go to the beach to be at the beach. But the boys had a great time there and Owen even made a little buddy one time. Aiden was the hit of the pool. Everyone was shocked by how he jumps in the pool and "swims" back to the stairs and does it over and over. Many questions of his age and then lots of "Johnny" look what he can do.
Then both of them wanted to show some circus moves off at the pool. I will try my best to explain this. Aiden would jump off the side into a floating tube and catch himself so he wouldn't sink and then kick over to the side. Owen took it ti another level. I would hold the tube straight up with just the bottom in the water. He would dive through it from the side. Yes circus style swimming.
Along with the beach we enjoyed two rounds of putt putt, and the boys loved it. We also went to the small aquarium there that they had a great time at. They found three shark teeth, got to touch sting rays and starfish and sea urchins, pretend to rescue a turtle, see some pretty massive sharks and of course flirt with a scuba diver.
Chester and Callie also enjoyed the beach. Owen and I took them on long walks on the beach most every morning and then they got to come play with us some times on the beach. They both love to chase birds but Callie took it to a whole new level. She was looking up chasing a bird which flew over the ocean and Callie just ran right in. Let me note I have never seen her swim. She got tossed, hard. I could not even see her. My heart had stopped and I sprinted as fast as I could to get to her. Luckily her survival instinct kicked in and was able to stand up and hobble out of the wave. She was spooked and grateful. Big hugs. She was pretty timid toward the ocean after that.
The pups also love to chase and dig for crabs. This was a favorite activity for them. Callie even caught a little one and yes she ate it live and whole. She is crazy. Chester showed her the art of digging the big holes for crabs.
I think Owen could stay at the beach all day just like me. Aiden is still a little young and would get a little tired or frankly bored. He also very much missed his costumes and kept telling us we needed to go home to get his mummy costume. We all had a wonderful, fun, relaxing vacation. Can't wait to go back next year!!!
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