Whirlwind trip to the Outer Banks

Before our anniversary weekend this year, Thomas asked me what we hadn't gotten do do this summer that i really wished we had done. When I replied that I wished we had gone to the beach, he replied "Let's go for our anniversary!" After some hemming and hawing and "will it rain?"ing, we decided to drive down to the Outer Banks Saturday morning, and drive back home before Thomas had to start his shift Sunday night. 

 Meggy, as usual, was 100% prepared for the 4+ hour drive.

The drive down was long, but not too bad, considering it was a holiday weekend. We kept a lookout for food options for lunch on the way down, but the only time we saw anyplace we wanted to stop, the girls were asleep. I was NOT jinxing that! It was a good thing though, because we found this adorable burger and custard joint once we got into Nag's Head. I got a BBQ sandwich, Thomas and Meggy got hot dogs, and we all shared fries and shakes. Wren really really liked the french fries. Girl has good taste.

The weather was rainy on our way down, and once we got to the Outer Banks, the sky was still looking threatening. We had looked at what other things we could do in case it was still raining when we arrived, and decided to go to the small aquarium on Roanoke Island. It's a cute little place, with lots of fish, a very decent gift shop, one terrifying shark in a costume named 'Sharky' ( Meggy refused to take a picture with Sharky) and a cute outdoor fun area for kids. Wren was entranced by the big fish, and absolutely LOVED the bubbles in the jelly-fish room. Meggy enjoyed the fish, but was eager to get outside after Sharky attempted to hug her. Running around stumps and banging away on recycled drums is much more her style.

On better-weather days, there's a launch pier that is the starting off point for a guided kayak/canoe tour around Roanoke island. I'd love to do that someday, but obviously it wasn't happening this trip, even with good weather. We did enjoy the pier though, and took some sweet photos of our family. For some reason the ocean can make even the crankiest baby and most tired Mama look good!

By this time our room at our beachfront hotel was ready! We checked in and went straight to the sand! The sky was a little clearer by this point, and we all enjoyed walking along the sand.

Wren's first foray into the ocean! I was surprised by how much she liked it! It's hard to tell in this picture, but she was laughing every time the waves came up to her. She didn't love having her feet in the water, but she really enjoyed being in the sand.  (I have no idea why she enjoyed it this day. She hates sand at the lake we visit, and she hated it on her the the next day. For some reason, this moment was special to her.)

We ate dinner at a seafood buffet, which Thomas LOVED. I didn't love it (not a huge shellfish fan, and they didn't have much to offer in other seafood options) but the rice pudding for dessert was amazing. Both girls were so tired by the time we left, and everyone crashed in the hotel when we got home.

 Wren did not sleep very well that night, so she and I got up early to watch the sun come up over the ocean. I had her in the sling, and it was lovely to walk along the quiet beach, nodding to the other early-goers. It was exhausting, but lovely.

Thomas and Meggy were awake by the time we came back at 8, and Meggy was raring to go outside! We got all our gear together and headed to the beach!

Wren got SO many compliments about her turban. I'm glad it looks cute, but I'm more happy about the fact that it kept her head from getting burnt. She refuses to wear hats with brims, so I'm extremely happy I purchased this on a whim this year.

(Next year Meggy's getting one too. I was washing sand from her scalp for days afterwards)

Meggy mouse was Just. In. Heaven. Our little mermaid had such a wonderful time building sand castles, jumping in the water, finding shells and rolling around in the sand. And yes, she literally rolled in it.

Wren didn't have as good a time as Meggy, but she did extremely well under the circumstances. And she took both her morning and afternoon naps in Thomas's arms, so I'd say that's not doing to shabby at all!

Right after Meggy rolled in the sand. Do you see all that sand?!

We had SUCH a blast over these two days, and have all agreed that we HAVE to go back again, when it's not raining, and when we have more time!