Eastham

Our annual Cape Cod trip brings us to Eastham this year. We started this tradition with my mother (a.k.a Babi) when Ethan was just a baby and it's hard to believe that this is our fifth summer already. First was Falmouth, then Truro, then Martha's Vineyard, then, last year, Brewster. I think this is the winner. So far, the weather is perfect and no one has sliced up his feet on oyster shells requiring an ER visit. (Memories...) The house is cute and the location is ideal. We can walk to Great Pond or the bike path in less than five minutes, and both bay and ocean-side beaches are a short drive or bike ride away.

We've been here two days and have spent both at Nickerson State Park. Little Cliff Pond yesterday, Big Cliff pond today. They are both stunning kettle ponds--warm, crystal clear and breathtakingly beautiful. We adore our Walden Pond, but these outdo it somehow. For me, anyway.

Yesterday was Coco's first day ever at the beach, and she was ecstatic. In the throes of a nonstop, doggie-style Freakout, she pranced, bounded, jumped straight up in the air, chased the water, bit the water...and SWAM!!! She's incredibly powerful and--when excited--quite unpredictable, so keeping her under control (and everyone else safe) was a serious workout. Despite talking about it for the past week, we forgot that TODAY was her birthday (#1!), and we left her at the house for the whole afternoon! Much guilt was experienced later, and we made up for things by giving her a hot dog at dinner. Happy Birthday, Coco!

Ethan is loving the swimming and actually did a little "doggy paddling" on his own today!! All of that work in Nani's pool is paying off, and the pride he took in his accomplishment was awesome to behold. "I did it! I did it! I did it!" H and E took the kayak out for their first early-evening fishing, but came back disappointed and empty-handed. A first! NOT. They DID report seeing a snake in the water, and apparently Ethan wasn't scared in the least. I guess the sour-cream-and-onion fried crickets he courageously devoured a bit earlier in the day paid off (in their own gross way).

Camryn had so much fun building in the sand today, and she befriended a little boy named Leo on the beach. They worked together on many projects, including a giant birthday cake with long, crooked candles made of sticks. Cami sang the happy birthday song to herself, cut the cake, and scooped ice cream on top. Ultimately, Leo turned out to be more of an assistant. He did pretty much whatever she told him to do. (A GOOD assistant!) While she definitely enjoyed the upper hand for a change, she was perfectly polite in all of her directions and demands. I was very proud. Some day, that will be me! ;)

On the downside, H has already destroyed his back, I have a terrible sunburn, and we found a tick in the bedroom this morning. Given the amount of ticks they predicted for this year, we will be lucky to leave here Lyme-free. We are checking everyone endlessly and thoroughly, but it's still pretty scary.

Anyway, I suppose the ticks serve a purpose. I have to worry about SOMETHING, even on vacation. :(