RAISING BOYS

Vacation with Boys: What I re-learned

Vacation with Boys:  Shirtless at the shore, kicking sand

Vacation with boys
Our family vacation.  It begins every year with a smartly packed minivan that somehow ends up over-filled before leaving our driveway, sentencing me to a 3 1/2 hour drive with no legroom.  But I don’t mind.  It’s my week away with my family, a chance to disconnect from the stresses of work and life and to make lasting memories, and for me to figure out what it means to vacation with boys.  It’s different from my girly-girl childhood.  When I became a Mother of Boys, I worried that I wouldn’t be relevant on these types of trips.  But so far so good (after all, who else would think to pack these little guys underwear and a mix of cool-weather and hot-weather clothes?).  Here are 10 things I (re-)learned this week about taking a beach vacation with boys:

  1. Shovels will be used as swords.  It’s inevitable, and by now, I really should have predicted this.
  2. Everyone (except me) will be topless.  Shirts will be abandoned, and the mere suggestion of wearing one will be met with much resistance.
  3. Wet bathing suits will be worn for hours — so many hours —  and then thrown on the hotel floor in a crumpled ball so that they will never dry, until I stumble on them, uncrumple them, and hang them on the deck.
  4. Sand castles will be built.  Sand castles will be kicked and destroyed.
  5.  I will be chased by boys carrying slimy seaweed.
  6. Crabs will be sought, and crabs will be caught.
  7. Seeing my little boys by the ocean will remind me of how truly small they are, and that they have a world of discovery ahead of them.  (And as I have a sweet moment reflecting on this, they begin to sword-fight with shovels).
  8. The wonder of the beach and its awesome sandy playground is topped only by the indoor pool. (note:  a one-night stay at a local motor inn with an indoor pool would probably be equally as thrilling as this vacation for my boys, and I love that).
  9. Farts will be funny at night.  And in the morning.  And at the beach.  And the car.  All the time, really.
  10. I will spend the car ride passing out snacks and tissues and wet wipes and toys and blankets.  Constantly moving around.  So I guess I don’t need much legroom, after all.
Topless
Topless
Boys kick sand
Boys kick sand
We caught a crab -- and let him go
We caught a crab — and let him go
So much to discover
So much to discover

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13 Comments

  1. Karen Dugan says:

    I love your writing!

    1. admin says:

      Thank you!!!!

  2. Toni Marie Lesh says:

    Love it! Soooo true! All of it!

    1. admin says:

      Thank you! I know you can relate!

  3. Ahh I love this! I am a mom of a boy. He is still young, but I can definitely see this as my future. Ha!

    Great pictures! It really helps you get into the post and imagine like you are there experiencing it as well!

    1. admin says:

      It’s an adventure, for sure! Glad you enjoyed!

    2. Thanks, Rachyl! Yes, lots of sand and shirtlessness . . .

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    1. thank you for the heads up!

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