Cottages really only rent for a week at a time during the summers so we opted to rent a hotel room and just venture over their way each day. Despite the logistics of transferring children and soggy swimsuits and dealing with naptimes, it really was a fantastic time. Our friends had children near in age to Anna and Abe and had lots of toys at their cottage. We had told them that they were going to meet new friends that weekend and Abe cried out, "meet new friends" over and over again each day.
Anna fell in love with Sarah, a five-year-old, and they stuck pretty close most of the time. It was great watching them run around and play and interact. I feel like I'm starting to see glimpses of Anna without me around and I like how happy and free she can be with other kids. Granted, Sarah and Anna seemed rather similar and it could have easily been a different situation, but it still made us happy to know that we could just let her roam the cottage with Sarah and feel confident she was having a great time.
Prior to our beach excursions, we made a quick stop at the Dutch Village in town. Holland is indeed a spot where Dutch settlers arrived and they have a huge tulip festival each year to celebrate their heritage. The village itself was pretty simplistic. A carousel, a windmill, some small shops where you can buy wooden shoes. But, as anyone with small kids can tell you, simple is good. Very, very good.
The carousel was an antique (now I'm wishing I had paid more attention the informational plaque) and had been restored beautifully by a local artist.
The village also boasted it's own island, which was really just a small piece of land that held nothing more than the giant windmill, where they grind their own wheat and give windmill tours.
Anna was able to try on her own little Dutch girl costume. She loved it and looked pretty darn cute! They offered to let me and Mike dress up also, but, um... yeah, what's that? costume? Sorry, we're in a terrible rush.
It was back to our hotel after than and then we headed to the beach that evening.
The water was really cold. The first night we just got our feet wet and let the kids play in the sand. Not that Abe was bothered, he kept begging Mike to "build castle, build castle" with him and never once tired of the activity.
Anna and Abe have been taking swim lessons since May and I think they are really paying off. Don't get me wrong, neither one is actually swimming or even going under water. However, Anna was fearless in the lake and in the swimming pool that weekend. We put a life vest on her and she swam around like a little fish. I cannot tell you what a dramatic difference this is from last year when she really wouldn't let go of our neck. A lot of her panic has dissipated and I think if we keep up the lessons, she'll get the gumption to go underwater someday.
Saturday morning we headed to Grand Haven because the Coast Guard was celebrating a major anniversary (200?) and had massive ships on display. Folks could take tours through the ships if they were up to the task of climbing hundreds of tiny cramped steps. Mike took Anna on one of the larger ships. Watching them wave to us from afar was like watching ants creeping in the distance. Those ships are huge!!
The rest of the weekend was spent at the beach. Despite the cold water, everyone had a blast. Michigan really is gorgeous. Watching the waves come in and out like ocean tide is definitely a good prescription for relaxation. We all need a little Michigan every now and then.
Of course, Anna would say that her "greatest friend" Sarah was the best part of the trip. And, hey, I can't say I disagree. Watching them run around was an unexpected and fun element.
But this... this view... this might have been my favorite part.
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