Beach Tips for 2011

• DVDs are a wonderful tool when traveling. Remember to go to the local library to stock up and while at the beach call on Wednesday to renew for another week.
• Bring empty milk cups and order milk at each meal stop. Hot milk is so not good.
• Bring iced water and order extra at each meal stop.
• Remember to bring the white noise machine for use while driving. The kids nap so much better with it.
• Starbucks and Rest Areas make great play stops!
• Skip doing computer work in the car, Mommy. It makes you feel car sick.
• If the kids are still using sippys, stock up on Take and Toss sippys for use on the beach.
• Have supplies for an "kid-friendly meal" handy once at the beach.
• Need to find a sturdy sand toy bag. Think mesh laundry bag...
• Isaac hates the spray on sunscreen. Kathryn loves it.
• Mommy needs a huge beach bag with longer handles.
• Put on swim diapers right before leaving for the beach.
• Baths in the kitchen sink don't work. They no longer have a sprayer!
• The water pressure in the hall bathroom shower is too much for the kids.
• Bring something to clean the tub with...as it looks pretty yucky towards the end of the week.
• The best way to remove sand from little bodies is visiting the pool before returning to the condo. After swimming in the pool, strip them down to their swim diapers and gently wipe the remaining sand off with their beach towels. Then visit the upper deck to remove swim diapers (after confirming the diapers are poo-free) for a finally wipe down before heading upstairs.
• Don't buy SPF 70 for Daddy. He will use all of the SPF 50 purchased for Mommy. :)
• The kids love the lemonade sold on the Boardwalk.
• The kids love Dumser's Dairyland chocolate shakes.
• Consider bringing two umbrella strollers instead of the huge double stroller.
• Make sure Isaac doesn't sit with his back to a group of strangers when eating out. They may freak him out and he will need to be held for the rest of that meal!
• If eating dinner out, arrive at 5:15 pm. That way dinner is served by 6 pm and kids don't melt down.
• The Coconut Shrimp at Harpoon Hanna's is delicious, so branch out Mommy and order it instead of the Lobster Ravioli.

Hopefully I will remember to look at this before we head to OC, MD next year!