Everyone's dream summer vacation is the beach, right? Sitting there in a beach chair with a cold drink and your toes in the sand, listening to the waves. Sure, sometimes that image is a little skewed by the screaming children next to you, the worst sunburn you think you've ever had, or the sand in places where sand should never go, but it's still the beach and if you are anything like me or my family, that is paradise to us.
I've been #blessed by the best family a girl could ask for and we luckily find a way to make it to the beach for a vacation each and every summer. Let me tell you, it is the highlight of our year. For one thing, it is an escape from our small little world back home, but it is also a major key to our bonding as a family by allowing us to relax together while not worrying about who has what practice and when or what social obligation we want to try to fit into our busy schedule that day.
The weeks of planning beforehand are most definitely a part of what makes us enjoy it so much, regardless of how nerve-wracking it sometimes is. Here are my thoughts in the weeks, days, and hours leading up to the moment I get to sit down in that chair with a good book and let my worries melt away:
1.THE BEACH!!
2. OMG, mom mentioned the beach.
3. Time to figure out which dates work for everyone.
4. Dad booked the condo today. (insert: dancing girl emoji)
5. NEW SWIMSUITS!!
6. Gotta get beach body ready.
7. Yeah right, let's order pizza.
8. Only a few weeks until we leave!!!
9. Let's go shopping for cute beach clothes.
10. Uh oh, I don't have anymore money.
11. Gotta save what I have left to have spending money while there I guess.
12. TWO MORE WEEKS!!
13. Gotta figure out what book I want to immerse myself in for the week.
14. That's a good one. Let's stick with that one.
15. New swimsuits came in, YAY!
16. Already planning my overpacking.
17. ONE MORE WEEK!!
18. Feel as though I'm gonna die from excitement.
19. Am I going to meet any cute boys?
20. Ehh, I'd rather not. #singlelyfe
21. WE LEAVE TOMORROW!!
22. Crap, I need to hurry up and pack.
23. Hope I remember everything.
24. I always overpack so there's no way I forgot anything too important.
25. WE'RE ON THE WAY!!
26. OMG, I hate waking up this early.
27. It'll be worth it once we make it though.
28. Why is my whole family yelling at one another?
29. Are we there yet?
30. I am SO ready to get out of this car.
31. Why is it taking so long?
32. Dad says two more hours.
33. I can deal with that.
34. Almost there.
35. Almost there.
36. Almost there.
37. I SEE THE OCEAN!!
*Disclaimer: my family and I always have a competition to see who can spot the ocean first. We have almost had several bad accidents while the driver tries to win.
38. I WON!!
39. I actually didn't win any sort of prize, but bragging rights are a thing in this family.
40. I need to get out of this vehicle or I will scream.
41. Why does it take so long to check into the condo?
42. FINALLY! I can stretch my legs.
43. Time to fight for a bed.
44. I need to get down to the beach right now.
45. Crap, can't forget my sunscreen.
46. Or my new book.
47. IT'S TIME!!
48. We're walking down the boardwalk.
49. OMG ,I've never felt something so amazing as the feeling of this sand between my toes.
50. Water is freezing, as always.
51. Gotta claim my chair.
52. Get settled with my towel.
53. aaaannnnddd FINALLY, a week of solid paradise!
