Vacation

We are in Ocean City, NJ this week. Below you will find a picture of an amazing view taken from the deck of the most amazing house ever. Why did someone let me stand on their deck to take a picture? Because it's OUR deck!!! We are sharing this house with two Bob's sisters and their families and Bob's mom. It is a.m.a.z.i.n.g!!!!! Literally, we walk down their stairs, over the dunes, and onto the beach. GORGEOUS.

Why am I blogging instead of sunbathing? Because the girls are napping, and there is free wireless Internet in the house. ;) Yesterday was our first day on the beach. Luckily, both of our girls are not the type to be afraid of the sand. Our girls, actually, don't mind so much if sand is in their mouths, ears, eyebrows, etc, etc, etc. It grosses me out a tiny bit, but it makes for much less crying on their parts, so I'll definitely take it!

How dare we bring them to the beach during Amy's nap time?!? She easily fell asleep on the beach, but didn't sleep for quite so long. Oh well - it all worked out! (I'm realizing that stricly regimented sleep schedules don't allow for spontaneous, day-long adventures that lack sleep-conducive environments. I still believe, though, that sleep is more important. Both girls like it, and I'm not letting it go!!!)

By the way.....just look at her....that peaceful sleeping baby. I just want to curl up next to her and smoosh her cheeks!

I asked to her do a pose. I thought she'd stand there and smile. This is what she did....

Coincidentally, my girlfriend and her family are down here this week as well. Her boys are the same age as my girls. They brought the tiniest kiddie pool to the beach. Amy sat it in and was in heaven.....and was not eating fistfulls of sand. I was jealous of the pool. This morning, I went on a mission to buy one. All of the kids wanted to come:

(Don't be frightened. It was actually not bad at all. They were all extremely well-behaved, and we made it safely to and from our destination!)

Now, the real reason I sat down to my computer. Since we have been here, Addison has thrown FOUR (we have not even been here for four days...) absolutely out of control temper tantrums. I've NEVER seen her act this way before. I posted months ago about when she bit the little boy I babysit. I got over that and realized it was normal 2 yr old behavior. Perhaps this is too, but I don't think so. Not MY two year old. I don't even recognize her during these fits, and I DO NOT know how to handle them. So, my number one objective, before I pack up our beach stuff for our inappropriately late beach arrival, is to google "effective ways to handle temper tantrums." Sure, all parents handle them. And, sure, I handled these ones. But I'm guessing many of those parents do not handle them in the most productive and appropriate ways. I think I handled one of them quite well. I took her outside and away from everyone, and she calmed down. I talked to her in a quite, soft voice. And she was okay. I thought I solved the problem. Then it happened again. Clearly, I'm failing in the "knowing how to handle a temper tantrum" department.

Wish me luck..