I’ve just gotten home from a week at the beach. This holiday was a long time coming, and very much needed. I still felt guilty about taking time off, and spending money we don’t really have, but a beautiful friend reminded me that family holidays aren’t something you can just do later. Tomorrow, next week, next month? The kids are going to be older. We’re going to be more tired, just as busy and probably just as poor. So, we went. And it was so worth it.

We arrived on the central coast at lunchtime on Monday, and stepping out of the car at the caravan park to check in was pure magic. The warm sun on my skin, the salt air and the ocean backdrop instantly made me feel calmer — a feat in itself after 4.5 hours in the car with kids. We got our cabin keys and I got to surprise two awestruck kids with a beachfront cabin... the view we’d wake up to every morning was the sun rising over the water, from the comfort of our lounge room.

We unpacked in record time, and Miss 11 asked when we were headed to the beach. “As soon as you put on your swimmers and hat!” I told her.

“You didn’t tell me I had to pack a hat” replied Miss 11 accusingly, and the rest of us burst into laughter. Of course. After buying her a hat at the front desk (they are clearly used to children like her), we hit the beach. Miss 11 started cartwheeling through the breaking waves, Miss 16 found a perfect spot to take photos for Instagram, and Hubby and I walked in the opposite direction.

After lunch (Vegemite sandwiches I’d made at home for budget reasons), the girls and I spent the afternoon in the pool. Miss 11 has inherited my love for the water, as well as my darker skin tone, whereas poor Miss 16 would rather be on land, and has her red-headed father’s pale complexion. So, it was a rare opportunity that saw Miss 16 swim with us, and I’m at the point of parenting where I realise that might have been the last time we have a family holiday that involves children playing in the pool. And play they did — for hours. We all went to bed the first night exhausted, warm and happy.

The rest of the week continued like this. A walk together in the morning, a pre-lunch swim, a post-lunch chill (I read all my books by Wednesday and had to run to the local shopping centre for another two), then an afternoon swim and a movie to end the night. It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly wasn’t the photos I see of friends on overseas holidays with their children, but it was perfect for us.

My favourite moments were spent in the pool with one or both children, and Hubby came and took lots of photos of us. Miss 16 loved getting away “from her head” — she’s in Year 11 this year and this term she’s starting to focus on her HSC and my heart goes out to her in this stressful time. Hubby’s favourite part was walking on the beach... we walk each day at home, but strolling along the ocean’s edge is a bit more special than our afternoon walks around East Orange.

And according to Miss 11, her favourite part was the night we went to the bowling club for dinner and I accidentally drank two ciders that were 1.5 standard drinks each and got so drunk I had to be helped back to the car. While beaming this afternoon, she told me that’s the story she shared with her class.

If her teacher is reading this, I want you to know we did lots of wholesome activities as well, including a trip to the reptile park. But also, I have developed a taste for pear cider, and if you want to come over and drink with me one afternoon, that’s cool too.