beach

I Left my Heart at the Beach

by Monica on July 9, 2010

Family vacation. We don’t have it in our budget to count on one each year, but we were given a chance to have an incredible family vacation last week that was everything I had hoped it would be. Making memories together…away from the stresses and pressures of everyday life. We spent sunny days on the beach or by the pool and went for long walks on the pier or through the park together in the evenings. We took afternoon naps in the beach house. We played Chutes & Ladders, Hi-Ho Cherrio and Toy Story Yahtzee around the kitchen table. We took the kids to see their first theater movie. We saw a wounded sea turtle having surgery. We watched dozens of dolphins swimming and playing just yards from where we were jumping waves. We giggled. We told stories. We climbed, slid and swung on a playground that overlooks the ocean. We sat under the most amazing old tree I’ve ever seen and listened to waves crashing against rocks nearby.

And though it’s great to be back home, a piece of my heart is back on that island. Because these moments are precious.

These sweet feet looked perfect in the sand.

And creativity could run wild with a couple of buckets and some shovels.

Daddy had time to just chill out with the kids.

I miss backdrops like this.

And I miss this tree…perfect for climbing.

I miss our evening strolls to the pier.

To this pier, where we saw cool stuff…like REALLY big boats.

And where I loved watching my kids in their peaceful gazing.

And I really miss this wise, old, huge tree next to the playground. Years and years of shading family picnics…still standing strong and glorious.

Oh, that big tree…how I wish it was in my yard.

So yes, a big chunk of my heart is back there. I hope I have the opportunity to go back for it next summer. I’ll just follow the light.

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My Kids are So Weird

by Monica on June 16, 2010

The peapod squad disappeared into their rooms for a while. I was instantly suspicious (as any good mom would be in this situation). Just as I was about to go inquiring…they appeared in swimsuits carrying beach towels.

They quickly spread their towels on the living room floor and informed me they were pretending to be at the beach. I was asked to be the “guard” (I’m assuming they mean life guard).  They even grabbed their Dora sunglasses for the occasion. The kitchen floor became the water and yes, they even threw themselves onto the floor so they could flail around and practice their swim strokes.

Not sure if I’m more proud of their creativity or horrified by their idiocy. I’m thinking something very, very strange happened in that petri dish years ago.

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Greetings from the beach

June 14, 2009

The peapod squad experienced the beach for the very first time today. I’ll post more pictures of them playing in the sand and surf later. But tonight, I leave you with a picture of our very happy family. We are really loving our first family vacation. It’s great to get to spend time together away [...]

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Thanks for nothing, SPF 50

June 13, 2009

Just call me a lobster and melt some butter for me, please. It’s day one of vacation. We spent a little while at the pool earlier today. Of course, we used sunscreen. You see that picture of me over there on the right? Yeah, that one. It’s not edited. I really am just that white. [...]

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