What I did on my summer vacation

This entry is the perfect follow up to my earlier post "What I learned on my summer vacation."  I learned a lot and, all things considered, we did a lot.  I mentioned that we hit the beach and then hit our beds and while that's true, there were quite a few activities packed in to our amazing, sun-filled, work-free week on the Cape... and many of them were all time "firsts" for Kevin, Declan and Cormac, our 2 1/2 year old triplets.

One first: taking in the view after 1st "big boy pee on the beach"

There was their first boat ride, a seal-watching expedition that departed from Chatham and returned less than two hours later with our little crew wind-blown, awestruck and eager to go back for more.  If you're ever in the area and game for adventure, I'd recommend you take your crew to the sea with the amiable Captain at Beachcomber Seal Watching.  Bonus:  you take a trolley ride to the dock, which for our clan was almost as exciting as the boat ride itself!

There was also the first game of miniature golf for all five kids.  Believe me when I tell you that trekking 18 holes (mini or not!) with five "Cubs with Clubs" is not for the faint of heart!  Our little guys and gal were swinging with all their might, as if they had hockey sticks instead of golf clubs.  There was absolutely no regard for the basic rules of golf -- of which I know very little but, picking up the ball and dropping it in the hole just doesn't seem right.  In any case, fun was had by all, we escaped with minimal damage (to ourselves, others and the course itself) and I'd highly recommend Arnold's mini golf in Eastham -- which, as an added perk, also includes Arnold's Lobster and Clam Bar and apparently "world famous hot fudge" which we didn't have the chance to try given that it was 10AM but it sure did look good!

Five Cubs with Clubs practicing their swing

We also made our annual trek to the Beachcomber, a bit of a dive overlooking Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet, which is exceptional for several reasons -- the cliffs, the dunes, the waves and the rather notable fact that this is where Des and I got engaged -- exactly ten years ago in August of 2001.  It was after a few drinks at the Beachcomber that we went for a walk on the beach, Des popped the big question and we daydreamed about one day returning with our kids... though we certainly never imagined there would be five of them!

Our five tots at the spot we got engaged... and apparently not all that thrlled about it!

Given that we have some avid baseball fans in our family, we also took in a Cape Cod Summer League game where we rooted for the Orleans Firebirds or, according to the triplets, the "Yankees."  They think all baseball players are Yankees and sometimes refer to them as simply "Super Guys".  It is very very good to be a baseball player (of any stripe!) in the eyes of our 2 1/2 year olds.  They were enraptured by the players handing out raffle tickets but petrified of the team mascot -- a gravelly voiced "Firebird" that even I have to admit was a tad rough around the feathers!

Last but not least, we had our annual visit to Sundae School which, if you ask me, is where they have the best hot fudge, on the Cape or anywhere else... they also top their sundaes with real, homemade whipped cream and a real black cherry.   Yum.  I started going to Sundae School with my grandfather, Pop-Pop, when I was right around Liam and Ciara's age... and I would cry like bloody hell that I didn't want to go to Sunday school!  Until, of course, we arrived and I was treated to a treat so good that I still crave it and indulge in it annually.  YUM!

A sweet little lady who seems to enjoy ice cream as much as her Mom!

There were other spots we visited along the way that I'd recommend for any family that is Cape-bound toward East Orleans.  For a quick bite (though a long wait!), there's the always reliable, fun and very local Land Ho that has a great bowl of clam chowder; we had dinner here before watching the "Super Guys" play ball.  For pizza, eat-in or take-out, there's Zia Pizza, which is right on the way to or from Nauset Beach, our favorite spot... although, if you asked our little Kevin, he would likely tell you, as he told me that the bayside Skaket Beach "is a better beach for me."  As two year olds often are, he was right!

A happy boy who finally found the beach that's just right

While I returned from vacation as rested and relaxed as one could be from fitting all this in with five kids under six, I do have to admit that it was a bit of a relief to return to work on Monday, sit in a chair for a few hours and daydream about our next trip to the Cape, which can't come soon enough!

My happy place