6 under 6 in Cape Cod.

You read that right. I recently went to the Cape with 6 children, under 6 years old. At one point, there were 8 children, under 6 years old in a small “cape” house with just 4 bedrooms. It was chaotic and loud and crazy and sleepless and mealless (is that a word?) and busy and fun and full and happy and something I wish could become a tradition.

I grew up going to the Cape every summer. There are some years it’s really blurry and I think it’s because I was so young, but I still know I was there. Whether it’s because of vague memories or because a photo jogs my memory — I know it happened. While it’s not my favorite place (I don’t really like sun, sand or water) I still have really warm feelings when I think of those summer on the Cape with my extended family (sometimes 9 or 10 kids, in all) and it’s something I want so badly for my kids.

I know it was bittersweet for my cousins and their children to join us in the Cape this summer. Being on the east coast, from California, was specifically to honor their dad at his memorial service. But I hope that 5 days (however hectic and tantrum-filled they were) left their hearts feeling a bit less heavy during such a difficult and sad time.

We started the week getting settled into a cute little house we rented from family friends. Each “family” took a bedroom and never having slept with both Javi and Lola, it sure was tricky! I’d get Lola to sleep and Javi would wake her up, or I’d get Javi to sleep and Lola would wake him up! Sometimes I don’t acknowledge the privilege of having many bedrooms in my house. 🙂 On day 1, after exhausting all our resources in the house, yard and neighborhood — we landed at a nearby playground before dinner time. It was a perfect place to play — with a view of the ocean, no less!

Before bedtime we broke out “snappers” — you know those little things you throw on the ground and they make a popping sound? The 3 oldest kids LOVED them. It took a few tries to understand they had to be careful where they were throwing them. 🙂

The next 2 mornings were spent at the beach. The first day we got out of the house by 10 (which was no small victory) and the second morning I successfully made it to the beach by 8:30. Naps were few and far between but I did manage to get them to take car naps in the afternoon. (you win some, you lose some).

Other than the beach and the playground and the occasional evening ice cream outing, we didn’t do anything. It’s funny because as a kid — I THINK — I remember doing so much in the Cape — beach, dinners out, day trips, boat rides, walks. But how our moms and aunts got us (10!) out of the house to do anything (especially the beach) is beyond me. Maybe it was different in the 90s (easier? ha!) but every time I got in the car I had to do a double-check of the backseat like… okay, I have MINE. 🙂

Okay + for giggles, here’s us (from 1993):

[I’m in the white tank top with the pink polka dots. 🙂 ]