How our hotel did not blow across the state, or at least out into the ocean last night like Dorothy’s house in The Wizard of Oz, is beyond me. The wind was so loud and violent, rattling the windows and howling through our room, that I was sure we were in the middle of a huge storm that would kill us all. When I woke up alive this morning, I was pleasantly surprised. We may not have got the best night’s sleep thanks to the wind, but Chad let Jessie sleep in our bed this morning and I forgot all about my poor-sleep situation.
We gathered in the hotel dining area and filled the kids up with the complimentary breakfast before the adults set out to eat at Homeport. The kids all stayed in their Grandma and Papaw’s penthouse with Ali in charge. Ali is like the babysitter that authors of How-To-Babysit-Properly-books model their writing after.
The weather was terribly windy, the rain was blowing sideways and the streets were like a ghost town when we left for breakfast. It was after 8:30 AM when we were seated, and our waitress commented on how early we were up and out. She said people in their town were still in bed because they are, “late to rise and early to bed.” Breakfast was "meh" but conversation was good. We spent a good portion of the morning at the restaurant watching Chad "MacGyver" one of Pam’s quarters out of a pull-tab machine using only tweezers and a floss pick. And keys. And a pen cap. It may seem out of your grasp, but you too, are able to have such incredible fun on your next vacation. It’s true!
Chad and I drove to the market to pick up some things for tonight’s big family dinner. While in the produce section, I said to Chad, “I can’t seem to find the grapes.” Right then, an old lady with a kerchief in her hair said, “they’re right over there,” motioning toward the grapes at the far end of the aisle.
“Thank you so much!” I said.
“The lights on, but nobody’s home, huh?” Replied the 80 year old.
Back at the hotel, while some of our small village went swimming, I used that time to curl up on a sofa that I believe is a replica of the one in the Golden Girls' house, and read a book. It was quiet and I could watch the others swim through a big window. Ahhh, vacation. How I love you.
Once the swimming festivities had ended and everyone’s eyes were chlorine-burned and stinging-red, we decided, along with The Byrne’s, to drive over to the little strip mall for some shopping and ice cream. There were a lot of vacant stores that had been occupied on our last visit less than a year ago. I’m beginning to see that more and more, everywhere I go.
By now, the sun was trying to break through the thick clouds, but at least the rain had stopped, so we drove to the beach. Jessie chased seagulls and ran for her ever-lovin’ life, Ali and Ashley ran straight for the ocean and the boys tossed the football. Pam let Luca (her 1 year old son) experience the beach for the first time in his short little life, and I do believe he would’ve just kept walking straight into the waves had she let him. I tried to put my feet in the water that, for your mind’s eye, looked like frothy sewage rolling up on the shore. But it was so cold that in mere seconds, I was in pain. But Ali and Ashley were up to their knees shrieking and laughing, and running from the waves. Watching my kids at the ocean is one of my favorite moments in life. Pure joy and only happiness. Even my frozen-yet-burning feet couldn’t take my focus off of watching them.
Eventually we left the beach and made our way to the penthouse for dinner. Everyone was bustling around, prepping food and cleaning up. Chad and I cut up some meat and cheese and placed olives and crackers and bread on the table and everyone started snacking while Chad’s nephew’s prime rib cooked in the oven. Salads were tossed, beans were stirred, and we all just enjoyed ourselves so much. The dinner was mouth-watering. I wish I could describe how good it all tasted, but I can’t because it makes me hungry to think about it.
We spent the rest of the night just being together. Not really any different than all the other times we spend together, but there was something special about this one. The 12 cousins had so much fun and loved going to all the different rooms and the arcade and taking Jessie out to go potty. At one point in the evening there were about 10 smart phones out, all playing Draw Something. It may have been an ordinary night, but it was one that the 28 of us will remember forever. If, in 20 or 30 years, Chad and I have the relationship with our kids that Rick and Geri have with theirs, our lives will have been a success. And that’s what this weekend is showing us. I think we are well on our way.
The Niemeyers
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