We just got back from a family beach trip this afternoon!  We went to our favorite beach - 30A along the Gulf of Mexico - with my sister and her family and my parents.  I was kind of sad to leave (although really with littles, it's always nice to come back home!).  I feel like yesterday we finally hit our vacation stride, and then it was time to head home.

Do you ever feel that way when traveling with little people?  I think there is probably a bell curve for vacationing with toddlers: it's a bit crazy at first and people don't sleep well, and then they adjust and everyone starts having fun, and then everyone just gets a bit overstimulated and crazy and you need to get back home as quickly as possible.  We left on a high note, which is good, but I think I could have done a couple more days! (My fave sunglasses, above, which I have in two colors!)

My poor little Brigie came down with hand, foot, and mouth which is one of the most miserable things for a toddler.  She recovered by the last day or so, but those first couple of nights were rough!  Thankfully, my parents were with us to help, so we could still get Vivi out to the beach (she has been asking about the beach since January, I think!).  Brigie didn't think too much of the sand or the water.  She wouldn't even put her feet in the sand, except for the two seconds it took to snap the above shot - and that was before she figured out she really didn't like it at all.  She would curl her little feet up in protest.

Vivi, on the other hand, was entirely in her element.  She had a ball, and spent most of her time on the beach in her own musical.  It was so fun to watch!  Isn't the water gorgeous?  The gulf is just glittering, and the stretch along 30A is pretty much a fairy tale for families with young children (and just anyone, really!).  I can't say enough good things.

I love the food trailers (they are all cute little airstreams!) in Seaside proper.  Here is Vivi with one of the epic sno cones from Frost Bites.  We  went twice, although I would have been happy going twice a day!  It's the perfect treat in all the sunshine and humidity.

We stayed in Watercolor, and the house was perfect.  Vivi was crazy about the bunked boat beds in her room, and I think she slept extra well because of it.  They both loved cozying up and reading in them during the afternoons!

It was the perfect last hurrah for summer - now we are excited for all the fun things ahead for fall!!  (above photo taken after a super yummy dinner at George's at super dreamy Alys Beach!)

Definitely check out Anna and Lesley's posts on their trips to the same area this summer!!  Their photos are much better than mine.:)