Quick Visit

Well, we survived the plane ride to New Jersey. Thankfully, Ella managed to save the diarrhea gushing down her leg for the car rental waiting room.

Except for the fact that my kids don’t understand the concept of sleeping in on vacation, we’re having a wonderful and incredibly busy trip.

Yesterday I met up with one of my friends who lives out west now, but is in New York City for a couple weeks. She, her husband and son drove down to experience the “Jersey Shore.” When you grow up in the Midwest, you just don’t get the concept of the shore until you’re actually here. We went to the beach while the kids played in the water and sand, and we visited an Ocean City institution…Mack & Manco pizza, where the place was so packed with loud families, my own rambunctious children fit right in. We were able to walk briefly on the boards and glance at the rides before they had to head back north to return the rental car.

The most interesting part was watching their little son, who is just a few months younger than Ella. Being around my kids before and knowing how they behave, my friend always says that she had one of my children. But this idea did not register properly until I actually saw him in action. Seriously, he fit right in with my kiddos. Not sitting for dinner, walking around getting into everything, throwing a tantrum because he wanted the ice cream in the cone, not in a cup, walking his way down the boards and insisting we follow him instead of heading in the direction we needed to go. My friend said that she enjoyed being around us because she didn’t feel like she had to apologize for her son’s behavior!

The visit was so short, but it was wonderful having them here. I think vacationing with great friends, no matter how short the time may be, is just fabulous! Can’t wait to visit them sometime soon.