The Not-so Sunny Seaside Holiday
This last weekend we went to Kep, a little seaside town. We traveled down with some others, who did all the arranging for us, something I was very thankful for - both the arranging and the help with Grace and Jasmin during the 3 - turned - 4.5 hour bus trip there! Although, I must say that the girls were excellent travelers; the only difficulties were when both of them wanted to sleep on mommy and when we had to try keep Grace from watching the Jackie Chan movie the bus played on the way home!
It was a very pleasant weekend, filling my need for family time, getting away from the city, and the bonus of being on the beach: hearing the waves, seeing far, swimming, etc. It was fairly quiet to begin with, but by the time we left on Sunday afternoon it was getting quite crowded for New Years, so we didn't regret leaving for home after just a day and a bit.
We weren't there long before we realized that this was our very first family holiday! Not by looking back or counting did we come by this realization, but because we were getting more enjoyment out of watching Grace and Jasmin enjoy things than resting or relaxing ourselves....
Exploring our hotel room when we arrived, Grace surprised us by climbing into the wardrobe and later, the desk cupboard! She was playing peek-a-boo with us; closing the door and chattering away until we joined in with the question, "Where's Grace?" Then, with great fanfare and delight, she'd throw open the door with a "eeaboo!"
Jasmin enjoyed stretching out in the comfy chairs on the dining veranda, watching the strings of crab and other shells dance in the breeze. A good thing she enjoyed it, as that first night we had to wait over 1/2 an hour for our food to be prepared!
This introduction to a beach went much better. When Grace was 6/7 months old we'd taken her to the beach but she didn't really like it, sand or water. This time she knew exactly what to do with so much sand: scoop, fill, pour, carry, dump...!
Jasmin knew just what to do too... roll in it, dive in face- first and check out the taste! She sure enjoys the beach at 6 months! We had two semi-overcast days, making beach time very wonderful - not too hot, and with less worry of burning. Even so, we did cover up in cream and came home a bit darker. Except Jasmin, who is still beautifully milky white under all that sand!
She didn't like the getting clean part afterward such fun play, although the taste of salt water did have her intrigued for a few moments.
And the water play after getting clean was fun! It was great seeing Grace and Jasmin interact so well together. It was Grace's first time truly acting like a big sister for Jasmin.
But it didn't last long - all too soon she was after Jasmin's milk yet again! Jasmin looks quite incredulous that she did it again, don't you think?
Saturday we hired a boat much like this one and spent the day on a nearby island. The beach there was much nicer (much fewer big sharp rocks), and quieter. I guess we had too much fun, because we don't have any pictures of us on the island.
That evening, waiting for our food, Daddy kept Grace entertained with her favorite ball on the sea wall. Mommy and Jasmin quite enjoyed sitting and watching them from the outdoor restaurant.
And the evening we spent quietly, as well, tired after a full day of outdoor beach and ocean play. We asked the hotel restaurant if we could eat on our room's balcony, and they obliged by bringing over a table, place settings and everything, when all we wanted was a few snacks really! Daddy read, mommy journaled, and the girls watched a PraiseBaby DVD.
Grace knew just what to do: after all, what movie is complete without your very own snacks to munch on?
Sunday morning we learned by accident that actually breakfast was included in the room price! Oops for yesterday's breakfast bought next door! We ate on our balcony again, and then had a little church service of our own. Grace decided to preach too!
And apart from the Jackie Chan video, the trip home was peaceful as we all took long naps!
Now we are settling back into work and sleep routines, glad to have been away, and glad to be home again.
It was a very pleasant weekend, filling my need for family time, getting away from the city, and the bonus of being on the beach: hearing the waves, seeing far, swimming, etc. It was fairly quiet to begin with, but by the time we left on Sunday afternoon it was getting quite crowded for New Years, so we didn't regret leaving for home after just a day and a bit.
We weren't there long before we realized that this was our very first family holiday! Not by looking back or counting did we come by this realization, but because we were getting more enjoyment out of watching Grace and Jasmin enjoy things than resting or relaxing ourselves....
Exploring our hotel room when we arrived, Grace surprised us by climbing into the wardrobe and later, the desk cupboard! She was playing peek-a-boo with us; closing the door and chattering away until we joined in with the question, "Where's Grace?" Then, with great fanfare and delight, she'd throw open the door with a "eeaboo!"
Jasmin enjoyed stretching out in the comfy chairs on the dining veranda, watching the strings of crab and other shells dance in the breeze. A good thing she enjoyed it, as that first night we had to wait over 1/2 an hour for our food to be prepared!
This introduction to a beach went much better. When Grace was 6/7 months old we'd taken her to the beach but she didn't really like it, sand or water. This time she knew exactly what to do with so much sand: scoop, fill, pour, carry, dump...!
Jasmin knew just what to do too... roll in it, dive in face- first and check out the taste! She sure enjoys the beach at 6 months! We had two semi-overcast days, making beach time very wonderful - not too hot, and with less worry of burning. Even so, we did cover up in cream and came home a bit darker. Except Jasmin, who is still beautifully milky white under all that sand!
She didn't like the getting clean part afterward such fun play, although the taste of salt water did have her intrigued for a few moments.
And the water play after getting clean was fun! It was great seeing Grace and Jasmin interact so well together. It was Grace's first time truly acting like a big sister for Jasmin.
But it didn't last long - all too soon she was after Jasmin's milk yet again! Jasmin looks quite incredulous that she did it again, don't you think?
Saturday we hired a boat much like this one and spent the day on a nearby island. The beach there was much nicer (much fewer big sharp rocks), and quieter. I guess we had too much fun, because we don't have any pictures of us on the island.
That evening, waiting for our food, Daddy kept Grace entertained with her favorite ball on the sea wall. Mommy and Jasmin quite enjoyed sitting and watching them from the outdoor restaurant.
And the evening we spent quietly, as well, tired after a full day of outdoor beach and ocean play. We asked the hotel restaurant if we could eat on our room's balcony, and they obliged by bringing over a table, place settings and everything, when all we wanted was a few snacks really! Daddy read, mommy journaled, and the girls watched a PraiseBaby DVD.
Grace knew just what to do: after all, what movie is complete without your very own snacks to munch on?
Sunday morning we learned by accident that actually breakfast was included in the room price! Oops for yesterday's breakfast bought next door! We ate on our balcony again, and then had a little church service of our own. Grace decided to preach too!
And apart from the Jackie Chan video, the trip home was peaceful as we all took long naps!
Now we are settling back into work and sleep routines, glad to have been away, and glad to be home again.
