Today we woke up and were excited that we would be spending more time in South Haven for a beach day on Lake Michigan! We had a nice start to the day, and after breakfast at the house and getting ready, we left for the short 10 minute drive to the beach! Uncle Ron was super helpful and packed up all the beach stuff and then carried the chairs, beach toys, cooler, etc. to the beach for us! Aunt Naomi had to take a few work calls, but planned to meet up with us a couple hours later.
Not surprisingly, the kids both had a blast. Brooke gravitates towards the water and although Beckett typically likes the water as well, he was quite content just playing with toys in the sand today. I also walked Brooke over to the playground for a bit and we played on the swings and see-saw together.
This was my first time at a sandy lake-side beach and first time setting foot in any of the Great Lakes for that matter. For the last 14 years or so, jay and I have had a running debate on which is better – lakes or oceans. Even though I’m not willing to back down from my stance that oceans are superior, I have to say I was quite impressed with lake Michigan! The sand was great and it was clean and spacious. It also helps that there aren’t really bugs and mucky water like the smaller lakes back home in the Northeast.
We took a break from the beach to grab ice cream at the same place as last night. If we lived here, I have a feeling we would be regular customers! They were making homemade caramel sauce in a huge vat by the front door, so even just the aroma alone was mouth-watering. Jay and I both loved the moose tracks flavor and Brooke got a very fruity rainbow colored ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. It worked out perfectly because Beckett fell asleep in the stroller on the walk so he got a little nap in while we enjoyed our ice cream break.
Powered by our frosty treats, we went back to the beach for a bit and Aunt Naomi joined which was nice! Ron and Naomi graciously treated us to lunch at an Italian restaurant called Maria’s and were kind enough to accommodate Brooke’s request to find somewhere with Mac and Cheese on the kids menu. The rest of us got way too much food. It was all delicious and we carried out multiple boxes of leftovers!
Beckett impressed us all with his strength and stamina by pushing Brooke in the stroller for most of the walk back to the car. I don’t think he is even tall enough to see where he was going, but he was full-steam ahead and would periodically yell “Ready, set, go!” and start sprinting with the stroller.
Back at the house it was time to give the kids baths and we hung out some more. Beckett continued to spend most of his time playing with the toy cars and trucks and Brooke was in her element soaking up all the attention from her great aunt and uncle! After we put the kids to bed, Ron and Naomi offered to hang back at the house to babysit again for us. Jay and I were super appreciative of our second night out in a row! It’s been many years since that has happened. We each grabbed a drink at Captain Lou’s which is another restaurant with a deck overlooking the river. It was perfect weather to be “out on the town”. We ended the night by chatting with Ron and Naomi past midnight again. It’s always worth catching up with family and sacrificing a little sleep here and there. Grateful for another great day in Michigan!!
-Jaclyn