We spent the last few days in Bay Head, NJ at Tom’s sister’s summer place. It was perfect beach weather for most of it, and when it wasn’t we went to the beach anyway. Around 5pm the beach clears out and the outgoing tide leaves tide pools perfect for two year olds. I love this photo of Jack in mid “but flop”.
The “Kitster” as he is sometimes called got his toes dipped in the ocean for the first time. The first of manny this summer.
Bay Head is an upper crusty town south of Pt. Pleasant. Think pastel shirts and patchwork plaid shorts. There was some great yard sale findings on our wagon ride to the bakery at 8am. We missed Joe Biden at the bakery by an hour or so. He was in town with his wife for her birthday. The cottage we stay in behind the main house is also referred to “the laundromat by the sea”, we pack the car up with all of our bags of laundry. The kids have tons of freedom and are allowed to run free up and down he stairs and outside. They don’t ever get to do that in NY and they were tentative about going out alone. They are definitely city kids. The local municipal trucks are bright yellow as are some mid-life crisis sports cars. Jack & Marlowe called them all taxis. I think Tom had the most fun digging holes at the beach, jumping the waves, playing on the slip n’slide and riding the crazy bus on “the boards”. We hit the boardwalk on our way out of town. Marlowe got in trouble for sticking her hand in the water on the boat ride. How can you not want to put your hand in that water? They rode the boat, the choo choo, the airplane, the pink elephant, the hot air balloon and the crazy bus. Oh and a little pony cart ride where you rung the little bell. The mini roller coaster swoops past it and Jack looked at it and pointed and said “that one”. I think the pony cart ride is a thing of the past now. Jack does all his rides with a serious face. He is focused on everything. But we got him laughing spinning the hot air balloon around. Marlowe is a future roller coaster enthusiast for sure.
I love the beach in Jersey. I love the smell of the cedar shingles heating up in the sun, the sandy feet, the airplanes dragging signs up and down the beach, the outdoor shower, the after beach nap on the king bed with the white sheets with the curtains waving in the breeze. I could never live in a land-locked or lakeless state. I love that my kids have this to grow up with. Tom grew up having family here near the Manesquan River and he looks forward to making it a part of his kids childhood. I don’t know about the waterskiing thing… but I look forward to it too.
That is a fabulous picture of you and Kit. Happy summer! I’m not so sure on the waterskiing thing either…I’m just as happy to sit in the boat with a beer and watch all the crazies. I have to admit, getting a boat this summer was the way to get the big kids here for the summer. I’m not above seduction.