'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa'

We have been on Cape Cod for almost two straight weeks now, and it has been, in a word - Glorious. We had a seamless trip from Pittsburgh to Boston on a gorgeous and sunny Friday afternoon, stayed with family and were set up in our rental house in Centerville by Saturday afternoon. The house is great and just a short walk from Lake Wequaquet- an area I know well from the summer I spent as a nanny (at 17!) in nearby Osterville. And most importantly, the weather has been amazing, which when you rent on the Cape at Cape Cod prices is just a God-send!

Our first week was extremely relaxing (pics here!). E was able to stay for the week and was even able to visit with an Aunt and Uncle who live in Boston. I made a very concerted effort not to "shop and stock", or make too many plans with local friends of mine (as I am the Bostonian) and it really paid off. We spent each day at a different beach and E even rented a bike for a few days touring Nickerson State Park and the Rail Trail. Neither of us have been on a bike in over 10 years but E really took advantage of the scenery and the freedom that visiting the US offers. We basically vegged out for 5 straight days on the beach eating as much salad and fruit as we could!

We did, however, make time for a wonderful 4th of July party at our family Cape House in a town called Marstons Mills. This house means the world to me. My grandparents bought it in the 1940s and ultimately retired there and in Florida. My Aunt was married there in the 60s and E and I were married there in 2000 just before moving to Houston. I spent countless family holidays there as a child and have so many memories of running around the grounds and the lake with my cousins. This was the first time my children, my sisters' children, and my cousins' children - 6 in all, ages 5 through 12, were all there at the same time. It is hard to put into words what this meant to me and to my aunts, uncles, and family! 

Since E had to head back to Lagos, my mom was nice enough to stay with me for the remainder of the trip. We invited my nieces to stay as well so that she could have all of her grandchildren together. It has been really fun but I have an entirely new appreciation for anyone with more than 2 kids! We beached, we mini-golfed, we got pedicures. We watched The Muppet Movie. We ate A LOT of ice cream! K got to splurge at the American Girl store and my 12 year old niece and I splurged at the Cape Cod Mall and Sephora. Grandma and I splurged on steamers, "lobstah" rolls and episodes of Downton Abbey - Grandma's new favorite show!

Amazingly we have yet another week to spend on the Cape but we are headed up to Boston for a few nights to break up the trip and squeeze in a few more visits. (I am probably the only person leaving Cape Cod for Boston this weekend as it is expected to be in the high 90s!) Even more amazing to me is how the time is flying by but in a bizarre and relaxing sort of way - a very new experience for me. My friends have often called me a "Whirling Dervish" so slowing down is not my normal nature.

Thankfully I have a small window in Houston where everything will have to happen at warp speed - shopping, stocking, and packing (again!).

Link to Lyrics I Love: 

Listen on Spotify: