Remember our first Cape Cod experience? I compiled my ‘How-To: Beach Vacation with Twins’ list, here.
One year later, we were back at the beach, albeit under different circumstances. We were at the Cape for just under 2 weeks, and we would be in Wrightsville for about 3. The house on the Cape was a rental, and we’d be staying at Oma & Opa’s house in Wrightsville. We were lucky enough to spend most of our stay on the Cape with Nonie, Pops, two uncles, an aunt, and a cousin. In Wrightsville, we spent time with Oma, Opa, an aunt, and an uncle- but Auntie A, and Uncle N live a few blocks away, so we were the only guests staying in the house. It was easier to schedule things based on the duo’s schedule in Wrightsville, because they were the only kids. It’s difficult when you have littles with different nap schedules- and especially difficult when you have kids that meltdown quickly if they don’t take their naps when they are used to, or if you try to keep them up too late.
Let’s take a look at the How-To list, and see if it was still applicable, one year later!
-Play (aka Safe) Room
Yes. Still a definite help. In Oma & Opa’s house, one room was being used as a play room. Toys were put in there- those that we brought from home, those that we’d left with Oma & Opa on our last visit, and those that Oma & Opa had saved over the years. It was nice ot have a place where the kids couldn’t get into too much trouble, in Oma & Opa’s BEAUTIFUL home. That roomw as on the second floor, which was the floor we were all sleeping on. That level also had an entertainment/living space, and a deck. It was nice to be separated, especially during nap and sleeping hours, so as not to ruin anyone’s fun!
-Taking Shifts
This one was a little more difficult to pull off. TT Dad was actually working while we were visiting his parents at the beach. This meant he wasn’t able to get as much quality time as he would have liked. He did find a way to take the kids in the lagoon, or to the beach, or for a walk/run every day, which was not only valuable to me, but also to the kids.
Oma, Opa, and Auntie A all took a shift here and there, also. So very thankful to have their love in our lives.
One very long shift that they all took was the weekend I spent in RI for my roomie’s bachelorette party! It was so nice to be able to celebrate with all of our friends and her family, and not worry about what the kids were up to!
-Favorites
Once again, yes. We quickly found a few spots/activities that were sure to please. I mentioned before that we would take a walk almost every morning. This fell under the favorite category, and had the added bonus of getting me some exercise! Oma joined us, and Auntie A came a lot too. The weather was quite warm, so we had to get an early start if we wanted to make it around the loop before the real heat started. Just about halfway through the loop, there is a sprinkle park, and a playground. The kids would point out all the dogs and wildlife during the first half of the walk, until we hit the playground or sprinkle park. At that point, they would get out of the stroller, and run around. Two more favorites.
After some hard work at the playground or sprinkle park, they would typically end up sleeping on and off for the rest of the way home. TT Dad would have lunch waiting for us, and these two hungry kids would gobble it right up!
Oma & Opa had prepared for our visit by purchasing a kiddie pool, much like Auntie A had the year before… but this pool was ginormas! It was a veritable inflatable water park! There were two areas, with a slide in the middle. There was a little slide meant for the balls that came with the pool, and inflatable hoops you could throw to loop around dthe cactus, or dinosaur.
Between the inflatable pool, the lagoon, and the beach, we were set. Favorites- Check!
-Be Flexible
I don’t anticipate this one going out of style for a long time. I think it would benefit me to be flexible with more things in my life, but as long as I’m flexible with the kids, I think I’m doing alright!
-Accept HELP
Definitely yes. Having extra hands around is always helpful. It was a little less of a necessity, now that the kids are a little more aware of danger- but with that sense of danger has come a streak of independence, stubbornness, and limit-testing. In other words- They are toddlers. Luckily, this streak can often be encouraged in a safe way, to avoid most tantrums and acting out. So far, anyway.
It still helps to have a break every now and then, or every day… I believe it’s a proven fact that their energy level actually increases as yours decreases. So yes. Help is always welcome!
So there you have it. My tried and true tips for surviving a beach weekend with the twins.
Still useful, a year later!