Lucky

Today was a '10' as summer days go. Sunny, clear, and dry, with temps in the 80's. I took Sadie and her friend Olivia to the beach, and Evan and Eden met us down there in the mid-afternoon. We had a great time. As much as I love the beach, I love watching my kids love it even more. The girls spent the entire day either in the pool or the ocean - they all looked pretty wiped out by the time I dropped Liv home at 5. On days like this, I'm even more appreciative of what I have and where we live. We may never drive a new car, afford that Orlando vacation home rental I've been thinking about, or have many of the luxuries that everyone around us seems to have. But, as long as we can ride our bikes to the beach on a sunny summer day, I think we have more than most.

So the weekend was great...

It went by so quickly, but was a lot of fun. The weather cooperated, and we had a great day at the beach on Saturday. It was really nice because both Eden and Sadie had friends there from their respective daycares, which makes things easier on us. Both of my nieces got their first taste (literally, I think) of the sand, and two of the three babies treated their parents to nice, needed naps at the beach (Eden wanted to part of that silliness, but thankfully, she stayed happy and entertained, in spite of being exhausted). It was a good start to the season, and hopefully, a sign of the great summer we're going to have there.

Yesterday, we went for a long bike ride (I am really stiff and sore today!), then met Evan's family for brunch at a new restaurant on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Afterwards, we all took a nap (heavenly!). It was such a hot day, that it was really nice to spend a couple of hours in the middle of the hottest part, just snoozing in the cool house. it is rare that both girls nap, and at the same time, no less, so it was a nice Father's Day treat for Evan. Afterwards, we went up to my parents' house for a cookout. The kids spent hours in the kiddie pool and were completely worn out by bedtime. So worn out, in fact, that we all overslept this morning. At 8am when they were both still asleep, I asked Evan why they can't ever manage to do that on the weekends, and his response was that it takes us all weekend to wear them out enough.

Anyway, my SIL was kind enough to send some pix she took:

The three 2006 babies (and moms) on the beach.


Cousins


Riding home

You know you're a parent when...(beach edition)

You so very diligently apply sunscreen to every square inch of your child's body and forget to get your own damn self.

You pack enough nutritious snacks and juice boxes to keep the kids eating continuously from the time you get to the beach until the time you leave, and forget to bring a bottle of water for yourself.

You willingly go running into the water, even though you just put your shorts on over your suit, to rescue "my favorite" sand toy from the surf that has just snatched it and is about to send it to Bermuda.

You play endless games of paddle ball with a four year old who, for the life of her, can't manage to hit the damn ball back to you. even. one. stinking. time.

Seeing a pattern here????

Perfect Weekend