We set out early for Port Aransas, arriving just in time to see the sunrise on the beach. The kids braved the freezing water and collected shells while their OLD, WIMPY parents shivered from the wind. It was Flora and Bear’s first time to see the ocean and they were thrilled.

Then we drove into Corpus Christi to visit the aquarium, hoping by the time we were back on the beach it would be warmer. The dolphins were a favorite.

And of course no trip could be complete without an injury or two, so Bear fell down some stairs at the aquarium and came up with a fat lip and bloody nose. While Scott got him all fixed up, Flora discovered a tank where she could pet a stingray:

Who could resist this face, right?? (me, that’s who)

Then we had lunch at Dairy Queen, which is only remarkable because for some reason that was a Very Big Deal to the kids–who have indeed been to Dairy Queen before. Whatever.

After lunch we thought we’d try the beach in Corpus rather than drive back to Port Aransas.  I retreated to a towel after part of a jellyfish washed onto my leg, and Bear wasn’t crazy about the still-cold water, but Scott took Flora out to swim for a bit. She decided to build sand castles, and got out, and then Scott got stung several times by a few different jellyfish. In about a minute.  Good times!

There was still so much daylight left that we didn’t want to drive back yet, so we went back to the beach in Port Aransas, where we had to wake the kids up from a nap to play a bit (crying), and Scott took Flora out to play in the waves (more crying). Bear and I buried our feet and waded around and picked up more shells, till Flora came back and curled up on a towel (even more crying). She had a horrible allergy-induced headache and everyone was so. so. tired.

We piled into the car and went back across the ferry (still more crying. why? they didn’t want to leave). And drove all night to get home about 24 hours after we’d left.  Whew!