Edisto Beach Trip 2018

We just returned from a wonderful week at Edisto Beach with my family!

After being stuck in endless traffic last year, I decided we were going to beat the crowds by leaving early. I also decided we were going to pack a picnic instead of stopping at a restaurant for lunch. Scott wasn't too excited about this decision considering it was about 95 degrees, but it ended up working out really well. Restaurants don't really give the kids a chance to get much energy out after being cooped up in the car. This way they were able to run around, play, and be loud without bothering anyone. And while it was really hot, it was actually pretty pleasant in the shade. I'm calling it a success!

Lydia finally passed out with about 30 minutes left in our drive. We turned her car seat around before the trip. She loves facing forward like Jacob, although I don't think it cut down on the road trip whining. Our girl is consistent if nothing else!

We stopped at Kings Market on our way onto the island to get some essentials...blueberry cream cake, tomato pie, crab dip, and fresh peaches! We don't usually come to Edisto until later in the summer, so this year we got to see the flower fields in bloom! Beautiful!

As soon as we arrived at our house, we headed straight to the beach! The kids were so excited to finally be there!!! Within the first 8 minutes of our arrival, Jacob managed to jump in the ocean, clothes and all, and collect about 37 sea shells!

After unloading/unpacking, we suited up and headed back down to the beach. Meme picked up take-out from a seafood food truck and we ate down at the ocean while the kids played.

Jacob and Lydia absolutely loved playing on the beach this year! They were both able to stay on the beach for longer stretches of time now that they're a little older. Jacob was our little fish from the start and Lydia warmed up to the ocean after a day or so. She even went out in the "deep end" a few times and loved it! Meme got all three kids "surf boards" or as Lydia calls them, "skate boards," which were a huge hit! They also loved making sand castles and jumping in tidal pools. They got creative and made a garden with their sea shells and carrot soup with their harvests!

The kids made it their mission to leave no shell behind this week. I'm pretty sure each child collected his/her weight in shells...each day! They didn't even care about finding good ones. They just wanted to grab any and every shell they came across.

Jacob and Lydia loved spending the week with their cousin, Wade! When they weren't living it up on the beach, they were reading books, making up games, and being silly together. Lydia and Wade had a few throw-downs between the two of them - its tough being two! Let's just say there were many teaching and learning experiences in sharing and being kind to one another! (I can't image having twins, by the way! Whew!) But they always got past it and back to being best buddies!

Jacob and Lydia decided to rise with the sun each morning. Literally. Lydia got up before 6 am almost every day and Jacob followed close behind. I know its typical for little kids to be early risers, but ours normally aren't. It was a bit of a shock to the system, but we made the best of it with breakfasts on the deck and early starts down to the beach. 

And I got first pick of cinnamon rolls, so it wasn't all bad!

Lydia has a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out), which contributed to her trouble going to sleep at night, staying asleep at night, and napping during the first couple of days of our trip. She was SO excited. The full moon didn't help matters either! All her missed sleep finally caught up with her and by mid-week she was taking 3.5 hour naps, which is totally unheard of for her!

We took the kids on a driving tour of Botany Bay one evening. We wanted to walk out to the natural beach, but it was way too hot this year. The kids were hoping to see an alligator, but had to settle for some birds! I think their favorite part was getting to ride unbuckled in the van.

We couldn't have asked for a better week! Besides being hot, the weather was great, the food was delicious, and the time together was special, as always!

Until next year, Edisto!

A few video clips from the week...