So what seemed at the beginning and end like a vacation Clark Griswold would take his family on, actually turned out to be quit the relaxing (well, as relaxing as a vacation with two under under can be) and a lot of fun.
Day 1
Fortunately, we loaded up the car late on Wednesday night, and Danny went to the bank and filled the car up with gas. This allowed us to leave just after the kiddos had breakfast and we dropped Danny's car off to be serviced. We (Danny, Owen, Ben, Molly, Sam and myself) managed to get on the road by 9:15 am Thursday morning. Yea! Isle of Palms here we come!!!
It was dreary and raining as we were leaving the mountains, but we had HIGH hopes the weather would be nice for us, The Johnson's... WHO DESPERATELY NEED A VACATION. We spent the better part of the morning and early afternoon in the car, making frequent stops to feed Ben, tend to Owen, get gas, etc.
We arrived at the Wild Dunes front gate just after 2 pm. We stopped, confirmed our reservation and headed a mile and a half towards the end of the island where we would find our home away from home. When we get there, we proceed to look for a front desk or office area where we can get a key or code for the condo we were renting. We looked and looked and 35 minutes later, we see a man that directs us to the Guest check in, which is a few blocks back in the direction we came from. When we get there, we learn that condos not rented through the resort, rather rented by owner, usually have the codes under the doormat, so we go back... and NO doormat, no code! We then go back to Guest Services and Danny gets on the computer at the Business Center and e-mails the owner and gets back in the car. We drive off and go to find something for lunch... Danny then mentions he cancelled the Internet service on his Blackberry, so we have to go back to check his e-mail to see if she e-mailed back. We start looking for somewhere to eat and then realize we can't go in anywhere, because we have Molly and Sam with us. At this point. I am getting pissed and thinking the worse. Why didn't we have the code before now? Did this lady take our money and run (D mailed her a check)? Did she die? Why did I let Danny plan our one and only vacation this year? Why did he go through
VRBO and not the resort? Why did we bring the dogs? Now we can't just get a hotel anywhere, it has to be pet friendly! Could Owen please stop kicking my seat! Where's Ben's
paci?
AHHHHHH!
After realizing we can't go in anywhere to eat and I don't want dog hair all in my food (if we eat in the car), we decided to go back and check Danny's e-mail. He goes in and leaves the REST of us in the car. Shortly after, he comes back with the code. The lady e-mailed him 3 days ago, but it must have gone to his junk mail. So, 2 hours later we are finally able to unload, go grab dinner, get some groceries and buy Scrabble (for me to later kick Danny's butt at TWICE.)
We spent a little time at the beach and pool before it got too dark, and then turned in for the night.
Day 2
Owen would not sleep in the pack-n-play, so me, Danny, Owen, Ben and Molly and Sam ALL slept in the bed together. Well, I am not actually sure any of us actually slept... Owen literly slept side ways and would wake every hour or so, sit up, look at each of us and then decide who he was going to kick in the head next. Needless to say, it was an early morning. Thank goodness we bought coffee at the store. After a few cups and breakfast, we headed out to the beach.
Wow! going to the beach with a toddler and 2 month old is not easy!!! Thankfully, Danny went and sat up our beach tent before hand, so we didn't have to assemble, chase Owen and tend to Ben.
After about an hour, we decide the pool might be a better place to be.
Owen LOVED being in the pool. Too bad I forgot his swim vest thing at home that I bought just for this trip. Danny was tossing him up in air, he was jumping in off the side and he was doing all the motions for swimming... We are totally getting him in to swim classes this winter!!!
After lunch, Danny went to play golf and I stayed with the kids while the napped. Sounds fun right! Danny promised I could have Crystal time---sans children--- on Saturday.
When Danny gets back, we shower and head for a late dinner, come back and get the kids ready for bed and then, well you know, I proceed to kick Danny's butt at Scrabble (get your head out of the gutter... remember we are sleeping 6 deep in the king bed.)
Day 3
Yea, Owen slept in the pack-n-play. The key was putting a pillow in there for him. I think we all, dogs included, slept until 9 am. We got up, had coffee and breakfast and the headed to the SC Aquarium. Danny decides to have Glenda (that what I call my navigation voice) navigate us to the Aquarium...like we don't know where we are going... After she calculates the route, gets us lost pulling out of the parking spot, and Danny and I argue over why he is making me listen to this annoying voice when we know where we are going, we finally end up at our destination.
Owen had a BALL!!! We were thankful we wore our running shoes, because he was EVERYWHERE!!! He loved the fish and turtles and we had to drag him away from the kids play boat with a slide.
When we got back to the condo, mom and chip had arrived in town and we ate lunch and headed out to the beach for hours of fun!!!! Owen loved playing in the sand, in the ocean and running around with everyone. Today was soooooo much easier with mom and Chip there to help chase Owen and watch Ben.
After the beach, we wash off and enjoy some time at the pool.
That night we had dinner at Coconut Joe's, which we love, and then sat outside for a few minutes to let Owen dance to the band they had upstairs. He was so stinking cute! We then grabbed some Ben and Jerry's ice cream and called it a night, well that is after the kids went to bed and I kicked Danny's butt at scrabble, AGAIN. OUCH!
(Notice there was no Crystal time mentioned)
Day 4
(our last day)
Not a good night for sleeping... Owen refused to sleep in the pack-n-play, so 6 deep we were again. Danny decided to sleep in since he would be the one driving us home. I agreed to this and fed Ben, Owen and took the dogs for a walk (it's 7 am and we're on vacation....shouldn't we ALL be sleeping in? Didn't Owen get the MEMO?)
When Danny got up (9 am), we decided to go out for breakfast. When we got back to the condo, I fed Ben and headed to the pool--- ALL BY MYSELF (are you singing the song? I am.) After about an hour, I realized it was way too quite and I was a little bored, so I went after Owen. Danny was watching the Panther's game and folding up some last minute laundry. About this time, mom and Chip walk in with a blow-up vest (in pink) and orange swimmies for Owen (see picture below.) We take O out to the pool while Danny and Ben watch the game. A little while later I go back in to feed Ben (after 13 missed phone call and Danny greeting me at the pool w/a screaming baby.) Mom and Chip stayed with Owen for a little while and then brought him back for lunch and nap. I went back out to the pool for an hour or so and when I headed back, there were two lady's going into the condo... I am running and frantically screaming for them to not wake my two babies. OK, they are the cleaning crew and we are supposed to be gone for the new guests to arrive... I go in, start feeding Ben, Owen wakes up and starts crying, the dogs are barking and Danny is grabbing everything and loading the car. The new guests arrive, I am still feeding Ben, Owen is still crying, the dogs are still barking, mom and Chip come in from the pool, the ladies are cleaning the condo.... Whew! I am wore out. Are you?
We finally get everyone in the car and take off. I have lost one flip flop in the chaos, so I am wearing one shoe, and then we get a call saying we left some rings. I look down. Oh No, I have left my wedding rings, right hand ring and watch. Approx. $4000 in diamond jewelry and a Fendi Watch. We turn around and go back. I run in and the lady makes be describe each piece before she'll give it to me. Thank GOD she called us!!!
So, we are back on the road and laughing about what just happened and Owen has his Go Go (Go Diego Go) video playing and we are all good.
About to put the acorn in his mouth...
and a clump of dirt...
If only this mower actually worked!
