A Much Needed Summer Vacation

Last week we went to the beach for our vacation with my Mom and Jeff.  We went back and forth about whether it was the right choice, but in the end decided to go.  We flew out on the
Fourth of July, and it was amazing how empty the airports and planes were.  I was worried the kids would complain about having to wear a mask for so long, but they all did really well with them.  We arrived in Panama City a little after 3:00, and were off to our beach house.  My Mom and Jeff were already there and we quickly made a trip to the grocery store to get things for the week, and picked up some pizza on our way back.  That night we celebrated by going down to the beach and watching all the fireworks that were going off around us.  We took down some sparklers and smoke bombs for our little pyros, and they were happy.  When we walked over the dunes to the ocean I knew we had completely made the right choice in coming.  So good for the soul to get away from all the things that are happening.
We had beautiful weather for most of the week except for a few rain patches here and there.  It was much better than what we anticipated from looking at the forecast when we got there.  The kids enjoyed spending the days at the beach boogie boarding, collecting shells, building sand castles, playing football, and having races on the beach.
Our nights were a little different since we didn't go out to eat.  We ordered take out or cooked at the house.  We did go get ice cream one night, and Frostbites on the last afternoon we were there.  Seaside was pretty crazy with lines at every store to get in to.  My Mom and Briley had gone over one morning to try to get a Seaside mask that she was wanting.  They waited in line and then found out they were sold out once they got in the store. 
My Mom had brought kites so we went to the beach and flew those one night.  The kids had so much fun with that.  We also had crab hunts in the evening, and those are always an adventure.  Atticus really got excited about seeing crabs, and pointed out every crab hole we saw all week.
My Mom celebrated her birthday last Wednesday so we got cupcakes from Smallcakes to celebrate.  She had been wanting a DNA test kit so Amity and I got that for her.  She seemed to be excited to get home and try it.
Overall the trip was perfect.  It was a little different from what we were used to, but we made the best of it.
Memories:
Briley:  Fourth of July on the beach.
Baylor: Frostbites, boogie boarding, smoke bombs.
Finley: Fireworks
Atticus: Going on walks