Charlotte's Web: What We Learned

Vacations are not just about sitting around relaxing, not thinking about work, but they are learning experiences. You should be learning more about your kids and your kids should be learning things about where they are visiting. Its pretty simple.

We learned that Maeve is the best baby ever on vacation. She slept like a rock star all night long and even napped great during the day. She enjoyed watching her sister and cousins playing together in the house. She also liked to nap on mom while at the beach. Unfortunately she wasn't a huge fan of her portable bed on the beach. She enjoyed being held. Maybe she just likes the smell of sunscreen. We also learned Maeve has a marvelous belly laugh when mom sings to her.

We learned that Charlotte really likes lighthouses. We were able to visit the Edgartown light house. We climbed up the winding staircase, emerging through a hole into the light section, then out onto the balcony for some spectacular views of the harbor and Chappy. We soon left and climbed down the stairs. It was hot, humid, and well a lot of work carrying Charlotte. We were done and we left. Charlotte was not done. She screamed and cried to go back into the lighthouse which was now packed with other families. Dad picked her up over his shoulder and carried her back down the beach to mom (which was an amazing feat in itself).

Dad learned that we pack too much for vacation. You would think year after year of going to Martha's Vineyard for vacation we would have a clue about what to bring and what to leave home. Last year we realized we brought way too much food to the house for a week and ended up throwing so much of it away. This year we smartened up. Skimped on most of the food and only hit the market on the island once. Much less waste.

However with the car packed with no room to spare (and that included the roof carrier), dad really thought we brought too much again. He was right (mom will argue this point until she is blue in the face). Here are thing we did not need:

Three beach chairs. Not needed. Only one for mom. Dad barely sits and the same goes for Charlotte.

Brown dress shoes for dad. Not needed. Nor did he need sneakers. His boat shoes also went unworn. He really only needed flip flops and his beach shoes (which gave him blisters when wet so really he didn't need those either).

Dress shirt, dress pants, leather belt. Not needed, we didn't go to any elegant restaurants And really the idea of getting dressed up just to go to dinner on an island doesnt make sense to him. Next year he is going completely casual (Shelby Im sure is getting mad reading this).

Beach toys. Way too many. We need a pail, shovel, and a ball. The rest go unused.

Swing for Maeve. Not only did it take up so much room in the car because it was so big and bulky, but she used it once. Never again is that thing coming on a trip with us.

12 containers of sunscreen including spray on, lotion, hair and scalp, baby, face, etc. Way overkill. Is there even a difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50? Lets just take one or two next year.

2 beach umbrellas. We only use one. Luckily they both broke so dad can buy a new one next year. Yes dear, a new ONE, not a new TWO.

We also learned that the cousins love playing together. Liam and Chase were both such little gentlemen when it came to Charlotte and Maeve. Really everyone got along so well it was amazing.