We just returned from our annual trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I am so glad we decided to make it a long one. We stayed for 2 weeks, the longest we've ever vacationed with the kids, and had such a great time. We left the evening of July 18th, after deciding to try driving through the night so we could avoid unnecessary stops along the way. The drive is long enough without having to take multiple potty breaks and stops to eat and stretch our legs. I have to admit, I was pretty apprehensive about the drive. For about a week leading up to our departure, I kept asking Vic if this was a good idea; I was worried that my poor husband would be too sleepy to drive or that *gasp* the kids would wake up... and stay up. We agreed to give it a go and to stop at a hotel if the kids woke up in the middle of the drive...
It turned out to be the best drive EVER! We left around 11pm, keeping the kids up until then and making sure we did lots of running around so they could burn off as much energy as they could. We put them in their car seats in their jammies and within about a half hour they were both knocked out cold. We were most worried about Mady, she's a pretty light sleeper, but she slept the entire way. Aiden woke up briefly a couple of times, but we made it to Myrtle Beach in record time, 6.5 hours! Only one stop for gas!
We had this strategic plan for when we arrived: we couldn't check in until 4pm, so we were going to change into our swim gear and let the kids play at the pool until our room was ready. Daddy could pass out in one of the pool chairs and the kids would eventually take a nap by the pool as well... it kind of worked out.
What we didn't anticipate was the weather being so chilly! We knew it would be cloudy, but the wind made it feel a lot cooler. So, despite the fact that they had a blast that day... 2 kids in the pool + coolish day + very little sun = 2 sick kids (oh and Aiden had an asthma attack). *sigh*
Good thing Myrtle Beach has so many things to do! We spent the next day in so Aiden could recuperate (thank goodness for albuterol treatments), which was just what I think we ALL needed to recharge. The next couple days were spent enjoying some of the indoor things Myrtle has to offer.
Stop 1: The Ripley's Aquarium!
We always make sure to come here at least once during our stay. Every year there is something new to see and now that the kids are both older, they really enjoyed looking at all the fishes and creatures of the sea!
They had this neat kid tunnel that ended up in the middle of one of their larger tanks of fish. Aiden was so eager to crawl through, but made me go too!
They also have an open water tank where you can hold horseshoe crabs. Aiden loved splashing his hands in the water.
Mady enjoyed looking at the fish more than I thought she would. When Aiden was her age, he was curious about the fish, but wasn't really too thrilled about it. Mady loved running from tank to tank! Quite a big deal for my little girl who is hard to impress!
Aiden loved taking pictures of the fish with my phone. I have to admit, he actually took some pretty good shots!
Baby jellyfish!
The kids loved this fish tank filled with tropical fish. It was the most colorful exhibit. They stood there looking for the longest time... silently!
Of course there is a gift shop on the way out of the aquarium. We bought Aiden a "treasure chest" filled with pirate treasure. That was the best $5.99 we ever spent. He lugged that thing around everywhere for the duration of the trip, filling it with little trinkets from the beach.
We ate a lot of meals that first week at Broadway at the Beach. The kids loved eating at "Liberty". Not only was their food tasty, but we always asked to sit by the water. This was a prime location to watch the speed boats whiz by, which for some reason cracked them up (which was perfect so Mommy and Daddy could eat!).
Kites kites! Daddy bought the kids hand held kites. They swung those things around everywhere... watch out!
Here's a pic from one of our cozy mornings. Poor passed out Daddy. Aiden slept in the middle of him and I, I usually got the nice end (the head) while Daddy often had arms or legs flailing at his head and body.
Stop #2: The Myrtle Beach Children's Museum
Vic found this little gem while surfing the internet and it was such a great place to let the kids run amuck! It reminds me of the Playseum in Bethesda, but much bigger and less cramped.
Mady's favorite activity was the huge light up peg board. It was hard to tear her away!
They had a cute little "garden" where you could harvest some fruits and veggies....
... then bring them to the produce stand to sell. Super cute!
Legos!
They had an "art center" where the kids could sit and create pictures or collages.
Look how tall they are! :)
Bubbles! Aiden and Mady love love LOVE bubbles! Aiden made the bubbles and Mady popped them!
More produce stand fun! Mady had a thing for the bananas!
Here we discovered that Mady has a cheesy face when she sees us taking a picture. It's absolutely adorable and is hilarious!!!
Aiden's favorite part was the pretend "grocery store". Here he is on the phone, taking a very important call.
Waiting for his customer!
Here she comes!
Checking us out!
Sweet Mady with a yummy lollipop! We also discovered here that Mady is like her Mommy... she has a serious sweet tooth! Her favorite candy is gummy bears and she's pretty adamant when she wants them. Unfortunately for us, she recognizes what they look like, what the bag looks like... and I think what the bag sounds like when it's being opened.
Don't worry, Aiden got a lollipop too!
Finally... the beach!!!!
The kids loved the beach!!! We were pretty excited about seeing Mady's reactions when she first stepped on the sand. Even though this was Mady's second visit to the beach, she was barely 3 months last time and we didn't get her wet at all. Vic and I were betting on whether or not Mady would eat the sand (considering she puts everything in her mouth)... but hooray! She did not! But... oh... she did eat shells....
Beach fun!
There's that cheesy smile again!
One of the great things about where we stayed is that it has an AMAZING pool! So after spending some time at the beach we got to cool off at the pool! Aiden was a pool jumping crazy boy!
The property also had daily activities for the kids. Here's Aiden decorating a box!
Relaxing poolside with Daddy in our cabana!
Next Stop: The Pavilion Amusement Park!
My sweet Aiden is so cautious... almost too cautious. He has never really ridden on a ride because he's too scared. But look at him now! It was hard to get him on the first one, there was some pouting and whining, but once he did it he was hooked!!!
The boat ride was his favorite!
Little Mady was too small to ride the rides, but she was a great sister and cheered her big brother on from the sidelines... while making silly, cheesy, adorable poses.
Week 2: Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Julliann arrive!!
The kids were beyond excited with the grandparents and auntie arrived... I mean, beyond excited!!!
Pool fun with Auntie!
Mady loved the sprinklers at the kiddie pool!
Knocked out!
Auntie Julliann and Aiden at the jetty! Auntie had to keep a good grip on him, the current was strong! Auntie was pretty obsessed with the jetty. We made an outing there and it was so worth it! We have to remember to bring a net next year so we can catch some fish!
Aiden really wanted to catch a fish. Grandpa and Grandma made a valiant effort trying to get one for him!
Mommy/Daddy date night! Thank you Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie!
Turtle watching at Barefoot landing
Grandpa and Mady. I have to say, those two are absolutely adorable together. Mady loves her Grandpa SO much! I knew they were close, but had no idea how close until this trip. They were inseparable!
Mady is such a little princess! She loves purses and shoes! Grandpa and Grandma couldn't resist buying her her first purse! She carried it proudly!
Auntie Julliann is such a good sport. Here she is dancing with Mady! Barefoot Landing had this fun, enthusiastic DJ working the crowd.
Grandma and Aiden! <3
More beach pics!
Grandpa taught Mady how to jump into the pool!
Playing in the ocean with Grandpa and Daddy!
Our attempt at our traditional feet picture.
We watched the fireworks at Broadway at the Beach. I was so sure Aiden would love them since we watched people set of fireworks on the beach every night and he liked to stay up to see them. But I think the fireworks show was a bit too loud and too close... poor baby.. he was pretty scared (Mady on the other hand, fell asleep in Grandma's arms during the show).
Gummy bears!
After Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie left for home, we had a couple more days to fill with as much fun as we could!
Daddy took Aiden to Ridemakerz, the annual Daddy/Aiden beach activity. It's so fun to watch them build a car. I could barely take any clear pictures of Aiden because he was jumping around in excitement the whole time!
Nice job, Buddy!
2nd attempt at a feet picture.
Cheesy smiles from Mommy and Mady!
Silly faces!
We had so much fun on our trip! I was a bit afraid 2 weeks was going to be too long, but it wasn't long enough! As the kids get older, there are so many more things we can do with them. I love watching their faces when they experience something for the first time and the excitement and anticipation they feel when they realize what amazing things they can do. I now measure the success of a trip by how much fun the kids had. On a scale of 1 to 10, this one was 100!!!
And the summer's not over yet!!!!
