Home vs. Heaven

So we leave Saturday morning for the beach - Saint Simon's Island in South Georgia. It really is heaven on earth (other than Chapel Hill, NC of course - go heels!). The minute we drive over the intracoastal waterway, stresses seem to melt away. There is something about all the low-lying grasses, the boats and yachts at the marina and the huge suspension bridge that goes over to Jekyll Island that just brings a peace to my soul. Even the smell is enticing, salty, humid and breezy - it just makes me want to close my eyes and forget all the stress of home: school, swim practice, laundry, sewing, deadlines.

My mom and dad's house at the beach is such a treat for us all. We are so very lucky to have this option - don't think we don't know this. The kids though sometimes find the relaxed pace of the beach "boring". I guess they're right, sand, sun, waves, it's just not enough - whatever! One day they will appreciate what they have. Until then though we have to deal with their eye rolling, sighs and complaints. For some reason, the older kids seem to equate having fun with spending money: the waterpark, going out to eat, renting the little bike things on the beach, etc. etc. The younger ones are different; they are quite content to build castles, chase the birds, throw the ball and run back and forth from the water a million times.

So, how do we handle this? That is still a work in progress, but we play the board games, do the shopping thing and in general try to come up with enjoyable, but inexpensive things to do. Plus, it is also fun if they can bring a friend, what's one more kid anyway? I think this time I will also get them to help me plan and shop for the meals. We definitely have the "standards" for the beach: roast, spaghetti, hamburgers and tacos. This time though, I think I will shake this up a bit and see what the girls want to have for dinner and involve them in the cooking. This is not something I usually do at home because I am such a control freak in the kitchen, but since we will not be at home, I think we will change this. Heck, maybe I'll even let them cook....hmm. Maybe not.

So, what's for dinner tonight? Here at home we are having breakfast: homemade waffles, scrambled omlettes and sausage. Tomorrow and Friday are "clean out the fridge nights" - fun times. Maybe at the beach we can have some grilled shrimp or fajitas? I guess I'll have to ask the girls...