There were many times during the week that I thought, "Oh. This would make an entertaining blog post." But, do you think I remember any of those things right now? That would be a "no."
So, instead of short, entertaining blog posts along the way, you get a long-winded, rambling wrap-up piece. Sorry. I'll try to do better next time.
The first thing of note from our vacation experience this year was that the kids (mine and Beth's) have settled into being quite content at the actual beach. In years past, it seems like as soon as we haul all of the gear down to the sand and get all settled in to read a book or drink a diet coke or what-have-you, the kids are all clamoring to go to the pool. Even though they all have plenty of pool time at home.
This year, Evan and Will thoroughly enjoyed body surfing and boogie boarding and diving for sand dollars (which they found by the bucketful), while Abby and Pressley enjoyed digging in the sand, watching daddies dig in the sand, sitting in whatever shade they could find with a cold orange-flavored beverage, and just doin' their thing.
Sometimes the girls were very independent from one another. Pressley likes to wander off by herself, so as not to be visually connected with the rest of the family, while she chats with the waves and the birds and performs sonnets and songs and soliloquies for no one in particular. Sometimes she'll return for a prop, but she is generally content to just wander about and be one with her imaginary world of princesses and mermaids and who-know-what-all-else.
Other times, the girls would hold hands as they skipped and jumped around and had lots of fun together. You kinda never knew what you would get. One day, in their quest for shade, Abby insisted on borrowing her mama's chair with the big canopy that flips over on top of it. Pressley wanted in on some of that action, so we finally positioned the big chair in such a way that it would cast some shade out in front of it and we put Pressley's little chair directly in front of it, facing Abby's. This was the girls' idea, mind you. I just helped a little bit with the logistics.
The boys were a little more predictable. Though they did their fair share of digging in the sand – and burying Evan, the general rule was if it floated and rode waves, they were dragging it out into the ocean. They were particularly partial to the Big Giant Blue Innertube that they could both fit on. Late in the week, they decided to try a skim board. The other kids were not much for all the falling down required to learn the art of balancing on the board. Evan didn't seem to mind all the falling down, and I was really proud of his determination. I won't say he achieved pro status, but he definitely improved. 
What else? We ate lots of good seafood. Both in restaurants and at the house. We made a low country boil one night that will likely see a repeat performance on future beach trips.
Oh, the daddies took the kids to a state park that they thought was approximately 30-45 minutes from the island. Turns out it was about an hour and twenty minute drive, but they say it was well worth it. Next time we go to Hilton Head, we plan to make a full day trip of it, complete with a picnic lunch. There was a lighthouse (which closed before they could climb it), fishing (with rods that were provided at the park), and shelling.
And, finally, how could I forget the family beach photo? As much as I used to resist this, I guess I’ve gotten old and soft and sentimental, so I’m as insistent upon it these days as anyone. The boys were never into it from the beginning. Well, the little boys. The husbands behaved because they know what is good for them. The sons have not yet learned. Despite the angst, we got some good shots, but before it was over, even Pressley (photo-is-my-middle-name) was complaining that it was taking “for long” and asking when it would be over. Ahh, memories!
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