Vacation: and the story really does continue

When we last left off on the vacation story (EONS AGO!) we made it there, we set up shop, we found the Piggly Wiggly and there was an alligator in our pond. All was well.
The next day was our first day at the beach and the boys loved it (all three of them!) We had bought some body boards at the Piggly Wiggly and the boys (all three of them!) couldn't wait to try them out. The set up here was really easy and we could drive to the beach and park really close so it made bringing coolers easy. We had plenty of fluids to keep hydrated and plenty of safe snacks in case anyone got hungry (which of course they did... every 5 seconds). One thing we had to do was keep an eye out for left over food in the area that we set up our umbrellas every day. There were so many times we found pistachio shells and pistachio nuts under the sand around us. It's odd to me that people would choose to eat that nut at the beach. How do you shell those things with sandy hands?



The Little Man and his "Frogster" body board (he's such a ham)



The view from under my umbrella



Running to the waves


That night the Older Boy wanted to go to Carolina Wings and Rib House for dinner (not my first choice but it's their vacation too). We went over during the early afternoon to see if there was anything they could for the Little Man and to explain is allergy situation. The very nice manager said that he would cook up some boneless wings, no sauce, in a clean pan and steam him a baked potato (plain). I was a bit nervous about it but when we went back that evening, Doug (the manager) came over and assured us that the chicken was not seasoned or breaded and that he would cook everything himself to make sure that it would be safe. It was a plain meal, but a safe meal and the Little Man was able to eat out with us without having to eat something that we brought with us. They really went above and beyond to make sure that we had a safe meal and we are so thankful for all that they did.
The next night was the Little Man's turn to pick and he picked Outback Steakhouse. We saw it as we drove into town and he knows he can get a safe meal there. We've eaten with him at several Outbacks and we've always been pleased with the way they've handled his allergies. He always gets the same thing, a plain steak (Joey steak), no seasoning, cooked in a clean pan, with a plain baked potato (sometimes 2 potatoes depending on how hungry he is). He loves it there because he can eat something he likes and it's safe for him. So we were able to eat out twice while on vacation, safely, without having to bring his food. But the good times ended there for him. All of the other restaurants were local establishments and mostly involved fish (lots of BREADED fish) and everyone I spoke with just didn't feel comfortable that they could feed him without cross contamination due to the amount of flour that was flying around the kitchen. Although we brought safe food for him everywhere else, I consider those times a victory too because although he was disappointed, he still ate safely and the staff at each place that I spoke with was kind and honest and all said that they hated to lose our business but that they wanted to make sure they did what was best for our son not for their bottom line. I'm good with that and I so appreciate their honesty!!
Our condo had a wonderful kitchen and between the stuff that I brought with us (safe food, safe pots, pans and utensils, and the toaster) and the safe items we bought at the Piggly Wiggly, the boy certainly didn't hungry. He ate well!
But it was nice to be able to have the two places to take him to where he could enjoy a "regular meal" just like everyone else.
We really enjoyed our time at the beach and we hope to go back again soon!

Random pictures:



Fishing in the pond where the alligator was. This made me nervous.



Did I mention that Older Boy caught a shark? It was a very small sand shark that had no teeth, but still...



Look out Little Man, the shark is going to get you.



The condo



In the process of unpacking all the safe food. See, the boy didn't go hungry.



Thank you South Carolina for a wonderful time!