Part 6

 

We told the kids to act funny....they did!

 

Summary:

- This was the least relaxing Okoboji trip we've had just b/c Piper is at a bad age. She wants to be down and mobile but when we are outside 90% of the time on a gravel/sandy area, it's hard for her to be cooped up in her stroller all the time! It was still a good time and we both got relaxing time to ourselves! Presley and I had our time on the beach, her playing...me playing and reading. Steve took care of Piper and hung out with the boys (not on the beach) or fishing.

- If I have to hear "I'm hungry" one more time, I'm going to scream!!!!! I bet Presley said this at least 50 times a day. She would have 6 mini pancakes and a banana for breakfast and not more than 15 minutes later she was hungry.

- We had more health issues on this trip than any other. Ella, Christie and Ava passed on a 24 hour stomach issue Mon-Wed. Steve has found a new allergy to pineapple juice and was sick Tuesday night from that. Thursday his sister, Roxanne started feeling sick and his brother, Jason was having canker sore issues on his bottom lip...so Friday Jason went to the walk-in clinic for his mouth (a virus that they couldn't do anything about) and that night Roxanne went to the ER b/c of the pain and vomiting (gallstones, she stayed and had surgery this morning!) Then Ava started throwing up Saturday morning! Thank goodness this has all stayed out of our family (so far!)

- This is one of those vacations where it doesn't matter if you shower. During the day you are sweaty and covered in sand and sunscreen...you take a shower after dinner, come outside all nice and clean and spray yourself with insect repellent and sit in the smoke of a bonfire!

- Presley has pushed every single patience button I have this week. She is bossy, demanding, spoiled and will do exactly the opposite of what you ask of her....especially if it has to do with Piper when she is sleeping. Presley CAN NOT be quiet...she said she doesn't know how to whisper! And of course we are in these tiny little cabins, so we can't really punish her in there b/c she'll just scream and wake up Piper! UGH!

- Piper did not sleep good. She was up ALOT...and of course, you don't want to let her cry it out b/c then she'll wake up Presley! So she got a bottle (or two) every night in order to get her back to sleep. She also ended up sleeping in bed most of the time too. We didn't stay up as late as we normally do mainly b/c we didn't know if we were going to be up with Piper (and b/c the teenage/20-something nephews weren't there to keep Steve entertained until the wee hours of the morning!)

- Presley eventually opened up to everyone. Even when we went shopping she said thank-you to the employees! She still has her 'shy' moments but it is getting better!

- As good as it is to be on vacation, it is so good to be home!