Have you heard that going somewhere with kids is called a trip, but never a vacation? I used to emphatically nod my head to that, but dare I say that we are slowly starting to turn a corner? Given this was only a 2 day family getaway to Hilton Head Island, but it was incredibly enjoyable.
We rented a 2 bedroom condo that ended up being a spectacular find. The girls slept in the same room for the first time and it worked beautifully. We arrived Thursday late afternoon and after dropping our stuff, we walked across the boardwalk and onto the beach to meet this crew:
My bro and his family had been there all week and my parents drove in the same day we did. It was incredible to get to all be on the beach together.
Nana was immediately pulled into wave jumping.
I was drawn to baby Lacey like a moth to flame.
And we spent the entire evening sipping adult beverages while listening to the waves and snapping pictures at the most perfect time of day.
I might have gotten a little camera happy…
and probably pushed for one picture too many. That’s his “please stop” face – haha!
I can’t help it babe, you’re just such a stud!
Eventually we wandered up to the Coco’s, the little beach hut in front of our condo. The place got an A+ in atmosphere. The food? Well, it was what you’d expect; nothing to write home about. We didn’t mind though, as it served as a great backdrop for catching up with family while the girls all played.
Beginning the next day, we got into a great little vacation routine. A slow wake up and breakfast, then suiting up and hitting the beach by 10:00 am.
Girls’ rashguard sets (on clearance)/ similar/ cover-ups (on clearance)
We jumped waves, made castles, went on walks before heading to a beach bar to grab lunch.
After lunch we would switch to the pool.
Then head in for a rinse off and late naps. The girls napped both days (and Hailey hasn’t napped in forever!) from about 2:30-5:00/5:30.
This is so far from our normal schedule, but it allowed us to rest up for my favorite part of going to the beach- the evenings. On Friday night we met the family on the beach for pizza and play.
Hailey’s pineapple bathing suit
We stayed until the moon was the only light around.
The next night we met mom and dad at The Porch, a beachfront restaurant near Coligny Square.
Maragaritas, fried pickles, peel and eat shrimp, and a wedge salad made for a delicious poolside dinner.
Afterwards we took advantage of the pingpong table where I adamantly blamed the beach breeze (and margaritas?) for my apparent loss of skills.
We walked the beach and played in the fountains until well after dark.
Sunday morning we packed up, but didn’t leave right away. We found Watusi, a perfect little breakfast spot.
We sat on their porch and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.
We decided we had to squeeze in a little more beach time before taking off.
We chased seagulls, splashed around, and fit in one more beach walk.
my favorite bikini bottoms (on clearance!)
We rinsed and dressed the girls and 5 hours later, after a quick stop for some groceries, we were back at home.
I was so impressed with how the girls did this trip. During one nap time, while David and I cracked open a beer and went to sit on the porch, we looked at each other and just smiled, knowing that this getaway felt different. More fun, more relaxing, just easier. It has us excited for more family travel down the line.
And now that I’ve shuffled through pictures and relived our quick getaway, it’s time to turn my attention to the monstrous-sized laundry pile.
If you have kids, have you reached a turning point on vacations where you feel like, WOAH, this is actually getting slightly easier/more enjoyable?
Which beach is your favorite to visit?
More more posts on our family travels, visit my travel page.
John J. says
A glorious vacay with family at the beach. Doesn’t get any better than that! Grateful!! (And Brittany does such a masterful job of portraying it in pics and prose. Gifted she is)
Heather says
We just went away for the week with our almost-4-year-old and a 6-month-old, and decided that it actually can’t get any harder than it is right now – nap refusal, tantrums, sleepless nights, etc. This gives me hope that it will get better soon! Your vacation looked gorgeous!
Brittany Dixon says
I totally agree that you are in the thick of it! That’s what I told my bro, who was there with his 3 year old and 2 month old. It only gets easier, I promise! 🙂
Joni says
Ha, we leave tomorrow for a beach trip with our almost 3 year old and 7 month old. We did this a couple of months ago too and it was fine. I just have super low expectations and as you said know that it will only get easier 😉
Maggie says
where did your amazing ping pong dress come from?!?
Brittany Dixon says
It’s from my friend Molly’s online boutique! She has such cute clothes for good prices – http://www.mollysuzanne.com/collections/clearance/products/stripes-and-brights-dress
gena @ sober life victory says
I totally get it with the traveling with kids! I feel like when my daughter turned four and my son was 7 was a turning point. Our last vacation we got delayed in Atlanta for four hours. If they were any younger it would have been a nightmare, but we all managed pretty well. I got home and still had the energy to unpack at 10 pm so that’s a win! I love St. Augustine Beach.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow, yes, a 4 hour layover would still be a challenge for us! Or… nightmare? 😉
PS- I’ve never been to St Augustine but have heard AMAZING things!
Jeanne says
This vacay looked like so much fun! I loved your orange skirt and blue bikini..where from?
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks! 🙂 The orange outfit is a dress from my friend Molly’s online boutique- http://www.mollysuzanne.com/collections/clearance/products/stripes-and-brights-dress and the bikini is from Victoria’s Secret- I’m so sad they are discontinuing their line because it’s my favorite by far!
Jerrica says
Yes! Yes! And yes! We do Disneyland every year so we have a gauge of how the years progress. holy guacamole! This year my kids are 6 and 4 and it is a whole new game. No strollers needed. They can and WILL walk up to 7 miles a day if they are entertained (newly acquired information from this trip 😉 . They ask for food if they are hungry and shade if they are hot. THere are no more guessing games about why they are grumpy or what they need. We loaded so much into this summer including a 13 hour road trip to Death Valley and my husband and I had a similar reaction-why is this so easy?? So we came home and put together more fun trips and took full advantage of everything summer had to offer! It only gets easier and the memories are those of huge smiles and big belly laughs!
Heather says
Looks like an amazing time! I think we are just about at that point with our two (though we’ll have to actually go on vacation to test that theory – ha ha!). They’re 4 and 2.5, so just about the same age as your girls. We’ve already reached that point where they do much better with road trips, though, and one of my favorite parenting moments has been watching my son ask to eat at a restaurant and then behaving really well. Our daughter is still a wildcard at times, but things are getting easier and easier!
Jennifer says
We are getting ready to head to the beach this weekend for the week and I am super hopeful this is our last “hard” year. My girls are 3 and basically 2 (turns 2 at the beach!). I can see how it’s gotten slightlyyyy easier with each year but we’re still in the thick of it, especially when it comes to not wanting to sleep on vacation! (them, not me 🙂 ). Thanks for giving me hope!
jennifer says
We just got back from 2.5 weeks in Nicaragua. Our kids are 4 years old and 11 months old. This trip was exhausting. We decided we will not even fly until our youngest is at least 3 years. The trip was not even close to a vacation but was a must as we were visiting elderly family. I look forward to going again but only when they are a few years older.
We will be heading to the beach later this month for a long weekend. I know it will be difficult but it cant be much rougher than our recent trip!
Becca says
We went to Orange Beach for a week this summer with a 3 1/2 year old and a 4 month old. It was definitely a lot of work taking a baby to the beach but worth it. He slept through most of the time on the beach in the shade and I got a lot of reading done hanging with him while my daughter played in the waves with my husband. We plan to go back next year and I’m looking forward to it because it should be even more fun!
Katie D. says
My kids are 3 months and 2 years and we are still in the thick of needing to pack sooo much (2 pack n plays, diapers for 2, etc) and my baby isn’t the biggest fan of the car.
I am SUPER bias but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lake Michigan beaches!!! You would LOVE to vacay in Traverse City, MI! They have a great foodie scene, wineries, microbreweries, beaches, etc. They even have kayaking brew pub tours!
Morgan says
These are all wonderful destinations! I recently visited Hilton Head Island with my girl friends, and it was so beautiful! Nice work! Thanks so much for posting this!
justin says
All that food looks great! There’s no shortage of great restaurants down here.