TheMainKatie

I figured it was time to catch y’all up on life lately. I’m tired, so if this is a little all over the place… well, that probably isn’t much different from my usual posts. 😂

Toddler sick days and Grandma’s packed cookies

Devon has been sick, so our plans to have Grandma over Tuesday didn’t happen. I called to let them know, but she was already dressed and ready to come. She’d baked cookies and had them boxed up and packed, too.

My aunt called me on FaceTime to show me. There was Grandma, ready for her visit, with her cookies. 🥹

Y’all. She had everything ready, and here I was calling to cancel. I know we needed to, but I still hated that we couldn’t have our visit. Especially seeing her all dressed and ready to go.

I was so tired that when I started thinking about what to write this week, I almost left that out. Apparently I needed a reminder that I can just tell y’all what’s happening. It doesn’t have to be a Myrtle Beach vacation or some big event to make it onto my own blog. 🤦‍♀️😂

And because apparently this week wasn’t quite enough, now I’m sick too. Devon and I are officially taking things one couch day at a time.

And a proud mom moment for Nathaniel!

He entered an entrepreneur challenge at ECU with his app. He didn’t advance this time, which is disappointing, but he already has a few paid subscribers!

I’m sorry, but people are paying to use something my kid made. I’m allowed to be excited about that. 😂💛

He can try the challenge again next year. Of course I would’ve loved for him to advance this time, but I’m proud of him for entering and for the work he’s doing on the app. Not making it through this one doesn’t take away from that.

So that’s where we are this week. A canceled visit, Grandma with cookies packed, and me finding a way to brag on Nathaniel even when the update starts with him not advancing. Mom privileges. 😂

Hopefully we can get our visit with Grandma soon. In the meantime, I’m going to eat something and give my brain the evening off.

We stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, right on the boardwalk. There was an ocean right outside, a whole boardwalk, and plenty to do. Devon's favorite plan? Run to the elevator, pick the floor, and head for the little pool. I could have made the world's most detailed vacation itinerary and that elevator button still would've made the shortlist. Toddlers are excellent at keeping priorities clear.

The pool got easier one splash at a time

Getting his head wet was not Devon's favorite at first. This is familiar; bath time has been making that case for a while. But at the pool, he accepted it more and more as he played. The little pool was also a giant splash pad and kiddie pool, so it gave him a way to enjoy the water at his own pace.

Beach toys, crab play, and then… sand

Devon loved the beach and his sand toys. He even pretended to be a crab. The ocean current was strong, though, and he couldn't go past his ankles on his own. He wanted to get farther out, but having to depend on Mama and Dada to go deeper wasn't his favorite arrangement. Playing with us in the waves, though? He enjoyed that.

The sand eventually filed a very convincing complaint. Before an hour was up, Devon had so much sand in his eyes that he was really uncomfortable and more than ready for the pool. Fair. The crab portion of the day had run its course; it was time for the splash-pad portion.

Our kind of Myrtle Beach day

This trip had the ocean and boardwalk right outside, but the things Devon kept choosing were simple: the elevator, the pool, his sand toys, and playing in the waves with us. Nathaniel drove his own car and arrived separately, so he wasn't with us for the whole stay.

That is family travel with a toddler: you can have the oceanfront hotel, the boardwalk, and a plan, and the elevator button may still be the star. Then the pool wins, the beach is wonderful, the sand gets everywhere, and you adjust. I was trying to keep the whole trip in neat little boxes; Devon had a much simpler itinerary, and honestly, it worked.