Team Cohen: Great Galveston

After having had kids for almost 5.5 years and having three kids for well over a year, it was time for us to brave the adventures of a family vacation - with just our family. School was closed for the week, so we rented a beach house on the gulf for a few days and planned some lovely time away together.

When Mommy was a little girl, the Kaye family tradition at beach vacations was that each child could choose his or her own crap sugar cereal. I insisted on keeping the tradition alive, and my children were pretty stoked about the possibilities.

We ended up with a pretty shameful cart that anyone should have rightfully judged.

But they were SO excited! (Why do they still make cereal with marshmallows?!)

The car was packed, and we were on our way to Galveston!

Before starting our water fun, we had to make a necessary stop to start our vacation off appropriately with ice cream! (where, yes, my children each got marshmallows, gummy bears, AND sprinkles mixed in)

Our first day adventure took us to Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, a small water park that was perfect for our young kiddos. They experienced their first ever lazy river and wave pool, and they enjoyed the splash pad as well.

We found this guy on our way into the park.

We found another friend on our way out of the park.

Waking up on our first morning in the beach house happened MUCH earlier than the adults wanted, as all 3 children were awake before 7 am. Daddy took Spencer out first for an early morning walk in hopes of keeping the house quiet for others to rest. (HA!)

(not quite yet fully awake)

Then, Mommy appeased the other 2 over-excited children, packed up some baggies of sugar cereal, and took Gabi and Ethan to explore the beach early in the morning. Ethan headed straight into the water while Gabi headed straight for the sand.

I quickly learned that taking them on a "quick, early beach walk" without bathing suits was a bad choice.

so SOOO happy! I could tell this was going to be a good trip.

After a "real" breakfast, we put on actual beach clothes, and prepared to spend a morning in the sand and waves. We had great weather, great waves, great sand, great company, and great smiles.

Baby got a free ride to the beach. (Pay
attention to this "before," and see "after" later.)

We were grateful for the loan of Nana and Zayde's
beach tent to provide digging shade!

The boys left Gabi in her element digging away and made themselves comfortable in the water. The tide was perfectly low for even Spencer to be able to explore independently. We had very happy and satisfied customers.

first time Spencer walked in

Ethan tested his skills on the boogie board.

(Unrealistic) Goal: get 3 children looking and smiling at the same time resulting in the "perfect" beach picture of siblings.
Result: acceptable, happy children. (more attempts later)

Gabi took her turn on a boogie board too:

Goofball Ethan:

Where did his legs go?

We headed back to the house for lunch and nap.

"after"

After nap, we found the Galveston Island Trolley, which was pretty much a glorified public bus that took us up and down the sea wall, but it sure entertained the children (with air conditioning)!

After dinner, we had special girls time back at the beach. After I wrote "Gabi" in the sand, she asked me to draw a heart. Then, she wrote "Mom."

On morning 2, Spencer woke at 5 am, and the other two were up by 6:00. Out we went (with baggies of sugar cereal) to watch the sunrise over the beach.

Goal: get my perfect shot with the most perfect scenic background to fake the illusion that I have 3 perfect kids

Result: Sigh- they're pretty cute at the very least.

Apparently, seagulls have a sweet tooth for crap cereal as well.

Bathing suits, check! Sunscreen, check! Off for beach day #2!

another successful day at the beach!

a little friendly splashing

3 smiling; 2 looking (1 stubborn momma)

(I won't tell you how many shots we had to take to achieve this...but it's pretty fantastic.)

There were some great seashells for collecting.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch - Ethan, my budding photographer, took his shot at a few pictures. (Most have been selectively not shared.)

Daddy found Rainforest Cafe, a themed restaurant that he thought would be exciting and appealing for the kiddos.

Ethan's body moves with the tunes.

(photography by Ethan)

It turned out, though, that after the few touristy photo opportunities, the atmosphere was quite terrifying for them.

Daddy also found an outdoor concert for us to attend, even though it was late. Being that it was the night before America's birthday, they had quite the patriotic theme. Being that there was a HUGE storm coming in, they skipped most of the concert and just did the kid-friendly stuff. Winning!