Beach vacation

I feel like my kids are on a beach vacation some days.  Our neighbors, Leo and Josephine, are in the middle of their month long trip to Michigan.  And Evan and Colin love playing with them, and they all love playing at the beach.  I watch them play in the water and think... Ah to be a kid.  These boys don't even know how lucky they are.  These long carefree beautiful summer days will be some of their most favorite childhood memories.  They have had a perfect summer, if I had to define perfect summer for little boys.  One fun thing to the next.  But sometimes it comes back to the beach.  Because who doesn't dream of a beach vacation and these boys are living it!

Camping - Wilderness State Park

We had another fun camping trip.  Nicholas' first camping trip.  And he and I cut it short.  We got up there a day late and left before having to spend another night there.  It's just that he didn't do so well in the tent.  I half expected this.  But because we had been somewhat successful at the 'sleep training' the past week, I was hopeful for a nice cozy sleep sleep with the 5 of us in the tent.  Well, after a good try and many cries, tony and him moved to the van at 2:30am.  Put the pack n play right in the van.  At least we survived.  

We really did have fun though.  Evan and Colin zoomed their bikes all over the loop.  They loved it and freedom.  And we had a beautiful beach day on what felt like our own private Lake Michigan beach nestled into this big state park.  And Mackinac Island was a good time.  Walking, enjoying the scenery and fort... Pretty neat.  I missed the bike ride around the island while Nicholas and I got some coffee and played in the grass, then walked around the shops.  What an adventure for these boys. They even loved the shuttle ride to the ferry from the overflow parking lot.  And of course the ferry going under the bridge.  And the souvenirs, some little Q tip guns.  So nice to spend this annual camping trip with grandma and grandpa Steeno.  Lots of memories.  Maybe next year we will have more cozy nights in the tent together!