The Boardwalk

On Monday evening, after attempting to watch the boats come in for some boat competition and being smushed together as if we were greating the queen, I decided to take the kids up to the boardwalk myself to wait for the Latimers. I was a bit grouchy and tired of trying to hold anyone. Ellie didn't want to walk, she wanted to be in a stroller, so it wasn't exactly a great combination. We tried to make the most of it and pass the time.

First, we climbed on a bench:

Then Ellie had to get her feet in the sand of "my favorite beach" as apparently the boardwalk beach was more enticing.

Then I decided we'd walk up to where I thought the Latimers would join us soon. On the way up, Ellie refused to get up but offered to hold Max in her lap, skeptical, but tired, I complied.

This surely got a series of looks on the boardwalk and even a few comments like, "looks like you have your hands full."

We made it about 10 minutes like this before Max started backwards head banging in his big for freedom. I finally just gave in and let him walk the crowded boardwalk. He was like a ping pong ball, but a very happy ping pong ball. Some people thought he was cute, and others were annoyed that I'd allow him to wonder this way. But he was a happy lark - and so was Ellie in the stroller.

Later when they finally joined us, we got dinner and walked a bit. I captured the below photos of the four princesses admiring the ocean.

It was a bit of a stressful evening. Several strangers told me I had cute children, but also that it looked like I had my hands full. I told more then one person I was missing their Daddy.

We didn't get everyone to sleep until after 10. Max was truly exhausted and I could see it in his brain. Ellie wasn't far behind him, but did handle it better. I hope that future visits to the OC boardwalk are a bit more peaceful and enjoyable.