Kiddles Are Here!

Vacation: Day 10

Sunday, October 5, 2008

This year, it seemed as though my housemates all arrived after sunset. As many of you know, it's a long drive from the Wright Bridge to the Bonner Bridge, but there's so much to see and at night, the bright lights of the restaurants and cottages light up both sides of the bypass. But then, it's a very dark, very long drive from the Bonner to Hatteras Village. I always wonder what first timers to the island think when they awaken their first morning, after arriving in the dark of night.

Darrin, Darcie, Levi & Alexa pulled in after the sun sank into the sound, both of the young ones still wide awake and ready to start their beachy adventures. Since Alexa was already a self proclaimed "Island Gurl," she knew what fun awaited. Levi, however, had not visited previously, so he was eager to see the ocean. We managed to delay the short walk to the sea until the next morning.

It was so wonderful to have the girls and kiddles with me! We so seldom get together, except for holidays - and now I'd have the Kansas Kids for an entire week!

Surprisingly enough, it was quiet the next morning when I got up to make the coffee. As I sat down to watch ... you got it ..... the Weather Channel, I could hear the sound of little footsteps tippy toeing on the stairs, followed by a tousled head of dark hair and two huge brown eyes appearing over the railing. I could hear Darcie whispering up the steps to Alexa - "Now, don't you wake up Grandma!" - and Alexa yelling back down, "It's okay! She's up!" And, now so was everyone else.

Alexa and I caught up on the past year's gossip & doings while Darcie made breakfast. Levi and Darrin joined us. Both of the kids were raring to go to the beach. Alexa somewhat impatiently. Once out of jammies and dressed in swimwear, they took off down the street to the walkover.

It was a good day to shell - with all of the recent rough surf, the beach was full of the sea's offerings. Returning with 2 bags of shells and deceased little aquatic creatures, we washed and sorted them. Quite a haul!

After a long day of shell hunting, it's always good to unwind, kick back and spend some time in the pool. I swear, Levi and Alexa are just a couple of little fish!

They both slept well that night.