We got back late last night from our first of the summer's two beach weeks. I'm not sure if you remember, but our last beach week, in September, was a rough one. I was pretty nervous about how this week would go, but I was determined to try my darndest to make it work.
I planned some concrete ideas to try. I had a schedule posted on the back of our family's bedroom door for Andrew to refer to so he would know what was coming next. I made sure he had time to himself each day. I payed closer attention to his cues so I would know when to wrap something up and head on to the next thing.
But, more importantly, I keep some more vague ideas in mind. The biggest being, "it's okay." My sister can ask her 3 year old daughter, Avery, to run upstairs and put her swimsuit on, and she does. Andrew isn't able to do something like that by himself yet. And, that's okay. Andrew's cousins wanted to play with him in the sand and share his toys, but Andrew wanted a little time to himself with his favorite yellow truck. And that was okay too. I just kept thinking to myself that Andrew and his needs are a-okay. And that made a huge difference.
Another improvement over our last trip is that Andrew himself has come so far. There is a fan in the bathroom that kicks on when the light is turned on. Andrew hates that fan. Last year he would throw a fit every time we had to use that bathroom. This year, when he heard it, he told me he didn't like it and asked what it was. I was able to explain to him what he was hearing and he understood what I was saying. He told me he was still nervous, but there were no fits. His reaction to the fan really showed me how much he's grown.
The thing I keep thinking about from this week is thank goodness for cousins. Andrew and Isaac have 6 cousins. 3 on my brother's side and 3 on my sisters. As I was looking through the beach photos I kept finding heartwarming shots of my boys interacting with their cousins. They love their cousins and their cousins love them. I am so, so, so glad for these little kids and how they can jump in and meet needs that adults just aren't able to meet in the same way. Cousins are just wicked awesome.
Anyway, we all had a great time, and I can't wait for beach week number 2!!!
16 comments:
Looks like a great time and kudos for you for being able to relax! Great pictures. I really like the one of all 8 kids in front of the dorry and Andrew getting a cousin hug.
Were all the cousins there at once? That's cool! My sister and I are running a 5K in Ocean City in August. When is your beach week 2?
I am from New Jersey and we went to Ocean City a lot! Glad you had a nice time! The pictures are great!
Thanks, Erin!
"Were all the cousins there at once?" My sister-in-law drove up with the kids for a day so everyone could see each other. it was really nice!
"My sister and I are running a 5K in Ocean City in August." wait...is this the Susan I think it is?!? Running a 5 K??? Training in all of that copious free time?!? We are going back August 14-21.
Thanks Julie!
So pleased to hear that you had a great time.
Love your blog, love your posts, love your ruminations. I am going through the same things with my kids. Jealous of all the moms with easy kids, kids that mind, kids that don't make every errand an ordeal. Kids that talk on time. Kids that are actually enjoyable. Keep telling myself "it's ok" and "this too shall pass."
Looks like a wonderful time! Love the photos!
Looks like you had a wonderful time!
I'd love to read you thoughts on Isaac. Do you see a difference with Andrew at the same age?
Happy you are back!
(I also hate the fans...)
"Do you see a difference with Andrew at the same age?"
hmm....
Isaac is more socially in tune. He points more, imitates more, hides from people and is shy. So there is a way that Isaac understands other people that Andrew didn't at this age. Isaac is a lot quieter than Andrew, but a heck of a lot more stubborn. Isaac also has some funny sensory issues and I can't really tell yet if they are things that will affect him in school. Also, Isaac knows almost the entire alphabet, but still has a vocabulary of less than 100 words. Andrew was like that too. Learned letters a lot faster than words. And we don't know how either kid learned their letters.
So there is definitely some overlap. And there are ways that I struggle with Andrew that I don't with Isaac and ways that I struggle with Isaac that were never problems with Andrew. Which, I imagine, is pretty typical for lots of sibling sets. no?
Cat, I could go on and on about them forever!
I was just thinking about their play. Both boys love trains, but Andrew just wants to build the track. He loves making elaborate tracks. Isaac rarely makes a track, but is obsessive about having a train with him at all times. Isaac is more into the characters of the trains and Andrew was more into the construction.
I find this stuff so interesting! Cat, you shouldn't have asked! ;)
Welcome back! Who is that beautiful little girl (with the 'stache)?
I'm happy when I look at your photos and read your posts... ah :) beautiful
Robin, thanks for sharing... can I ask another one?
Is the "comparing" always in the back of your mind or did you just think about all this because I asked?
Cat, for better or worse I frequently analyze my kids. ;) I'm sure I'll pay the price at some point...
Some particularly awesome photos this year! That one of the kids in line for a ride has such amazing lines.
Robyn! Get there early on the 14th and you can come cheer for me in the 5K! It starts at 8:30 and even though I'm super slow I'm hoping to finish by 9:00. Think you can make it ;)
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