The Beach House

Ocean City: the playground of New Jersey, the home of Kohr Brothers and Mack and Manko’s, the place to be to celebrate Night in Venice, and the source of infinite childhood memories of my dear, sweet husband. The Beach House as it is affectionately known to my husband’s family, sits a mere block or two away from the Bay in the idyllic town of Ocean City. Every summer my husband and all of his cousins would cram into The Beach House and settle in for days filled with sand, sunshine, and salt water. Not one to mess with family traditions, it was decided that we would continue the summer escape with Cuttter and introduce him to The Beach House – and the ocean.

Having discovered Cutter’s affinity for wind-blown hair, we rolled down the windows and set off for the ocean on Sunday afternoon. We arrived in time to get in a good porch swing in the sea breeze, and then it was time to lay Cutter down for the night. Monday would be our first beach day.

Monday would also mark the beginning of the most stifling heat wave to cover the east coast in years, a coincidence I didn’t find to be endearing in the least. I was praying that relief would be found at the beach, because it was nowhere to be found at the The Beach House: think Sears Kit home circa 1920 (read: no air conditioning). Box fans, baby pools, table top fans, ice cubes and cool showers just were not taking the edge off. Thankfully, once we walked onto the beach, relief was found both in breeze and in temperate waters.
Cutter is a little fish and had no misgivings towards the ocean or the sand. He loved the cool water on his toes and even managed to sneak in a nap (yes, on Steve again) while we were there.We made sure to introduce him to the boardwalk one night, and he eagerly soaked in all of the happenings around him. He eagerly cheered on his Daddy as he exhibited his competitive nature by challenging Uncle Jeff to the Fastball (a feat that Daddy won I will add – shameless love for my husband and his brawn).
Our stay was cut short due to the excessive heat. I just couldn’t bear it any longer. We were all beginning to get irritable and were desperate for a night of sleep unmarked by sweaty sheets, and so we headed home for the air conditioning. It was the first of what we hope to be many summers at The Beach House, creating many more memories and upholding many more traditions.
Kylie and Cutter were able to acquaint themselves rather well on our mini-vacation and have forged the infamous cousin bond that comes from sharing baby pools in the buff and exchanging grains of sand. I’m so thankful that they were able to have this week together, and even more so that Steve and I were able to spend so much time with Jeff and Krista, and Steve’s Mom.