Back From Vacation

We returned from Myrtle Beach, SC late Friday night. Despite an hour long wait for our bags (and a brief moment of panic when the airport mis-announced that all the bags from our flight had been put on the carousel) we made it home without much excitement. The trip was far better than I had originally feared; the nephew that was so dreadful two years ago has really turned his life around and it was really pleasant in the house. He and his girlfriend even came with us to take all ten kids to mini golf. I am not sure what we were thinking; they were 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 12, and 12. We took them to ice cream afterwards and there was a couple at the ice cream shop who said, in a hushed, horrified voice "oh my gosh there are *ten* of them!). It was pretty hilarious since only one child was ours and our nephew and his girlfriend don't have any kids.

The highlight of the trip was that Melissa and her daughter, Ursula, came down for the last two nights. It was great fun to meet in person and watch her daughter experience the beach for the first time. I had a wonderful visit and it made me sad that Charlotte, NC is so far away!

Luke seems to have gone through another large developmental growth spurt while we were gone. This has happened in past years. The first few days he wouldn't go past the second step in the pool, despite the fact that he's tall enough to stand in the 3' end. Finally, on Thursday, he got all the way in. Maybe it was because he saw Ursula in the water having fun and she's almost 2 (vs. his 4.5 years). I don't know. But he loves the pool now and I took him again yesterday after we got home. I've signed him up for swimming lessons and those will be starting next week. He has also gotten over his mortal fear of dogs. My neighbor has the most awesome golden retriever, Oliver, and in the past Luke has been terrified whenever we see them. Yesterday we went over and he didn't want up, he walked right over to Oliver and played with him. We went with them to the park and it was amazing to see the transformation in my child. I'm hoping that he'll consider going on the two "big" rollercoasters at Legoland now, too, but I'm not going to push it. Yet.

Well, I'm exhausted and I need to go pick him up from preschool. He started in the "big" class today-the pre-k class. He was so excited this morning. I just wanted to write a quick update so no one thought I had disappeared or anything. :)