A Full Beach Day

I remember, when I was little, my parents putting us in the motor home first thing in the morning, and heading straight to the beach.  We would stay there all day, get motor home "showers," jammies on, and would fall asleep in the motor home on the way home at night.  I have many memories of days like this, and although I have said for the last few years that I wanted to do this with our kids, we just never did.  I said this year would be different.  We would be picking the nicest day each weekend.  Luckily, DJ is on his summer schedule- every other weekend he gets a 4 day weekend.  Yay! 

There are only 2 spots we can pull our travel trailer into in the day area.  They are first come, first serve.  Meaning, we have to get there right when they open.  It is a half hour drive.  We put the kids in the car, straight from their beds, at 6:30am. 

Kids in jammies at the beach.....there are few things better.

The kids played in the sand dune with DJ while I made breakfast in the trailer.  Sausage, eggs, and banana pancakes on the beach...yes please.  All things are better on the beach. 

I wanted to bring breakfast over to a picnic table by the water, but Karson was so excited about being in the trailer that we ate breakfast in the trailer.

Funny aside: I brought my Keurig with me.  It was only 7am when we got to the beach.  I had every intention of making myself a cup (or 3) of coffee to take down to the beach.  I knew we had to run off battery, since our trailer wasn't plugged in.  I did not, however, know that because of this the plugs wouldn't work.  Basically, I didn't realize until I got there that I couldn't make coffee.  Not cool.  Also, the little cafe beach store opened at 10:00-3 hours later.  Also, we didn't bring cash and there was a $5 minimum...yea I got 2 really expensive cups of coffee....at 10:00. 

We were the first ones on the beach.  Which meant we got the spot right on the water, straight down from the board walk!

New toy.  The kids kinda lucked out with the $5 minimum rule.  Mommy got a cup of coffee.  Kids got a new toy.

The kids played and played and played all morning.  We went back to the trailer at lunch time, and brought our lunch to the channel to eat.  

 After lunch, is exactly why we bring the trailer with us:

While she napped, brother did this:

Another cup of coffee for Mommy.  Another new toy for the kids.

He was so excited to take a nap in the trailer, that he couldn't fall asleep.  Funny.  Luckily, he stayed in a pretty good mood all day.

Sister woke up, to join the fun....

Then back to the beach we went.

We played for a few hours, and then it started pouring. 

Sideways.

We got drenched, and while everyone was scurrying to their cars to leave, we were playing in the trailer.  I was determined to "save" the rest of the day.  Even if it meant playing in the trailer.  We decided to take the kids out for dinner, instead of grilling on the beach, to see if the rain would pass over.  It did, and after dinner, it was beautiful out again.  

Back to the beach we went...

Daddy taught the kids the art of running from the waves....which were freezing.

Nana even joined us for a few hours.

 

Ella tries so hard to keep up with Karson, but she have not so great balance.  Also, she got knocked over by a wave, and was extremely leery of the water.  Bad combination.  Sister spent a lot of time on the ground from trying to run too fast.

 

I am wrong.  

There is something better than babies in jammies at the beach...

Babies in matching stripe jammies at the beach...

...loving on their little sisiter.

Before we left, we caught the sunset.  

The kids fell asleep on the way home, and we put their little sleepy-sandy-sun kissed-bodies in bed. 

It is my favorite way to spend our day.

And I love that my kids are making the same memories I did when I was little.

What we have been up to lately...

An Update

Truth?  Transitioning from one child to two about did me in.  Add in a baby who never sleeps and a big brother who has struggled with his new title, and you have a Mama who has had to let go of some things.  Obviously, my blog has been one of them...cleaning my house and keeping up on the laundry also have made that list.  Yesterday, for the first time in almost 13 months, Ellary took a three hour nap.  A 3 hour nap that she wasn't being held for.  Granted-she was in the stroller...still an accomplishment none the less.  In addition to the fact that she was sleeping in the stroller, Karson was sleeping in his bed.  The first time ever in 13 months that Ellary has slept that long, not in my arms.  The first time ever they have slept that long at the same time.  We parked Ellary in the shade on the front step, turned on Pandora...and cleaned our garage.

I have grown accustomed to the sleep deprivation.  That, and Ellary is sleeping longer than an hour at a time now.  Sometimes she even sleeps for 3 straight hours at night.  I have been told countless times to stick her in her crib and let her cry.  I have even been told this is some...not so nice...ways.   We haven't, and we won't.  Right now she needs her Mama at night, and in the morning, I need my Keurig.

After struggling with his role as a Big Brother, Karson has been blowing me away lately.  I hear him say things like "do this Baby Ella", "good job Baby Ella", "come with me Baby Ella."  A huge improvement from his "Baby Ella go away" request after we brought her home last year.  He loves his Sister, and it thrills me to see their sibling relationship grow!

Sister is fearless, and needs her Big Brother to look out for her.  And of course, teacher her things like how to climb on the couch by herself.  Thanks for that one sweet boy. :)

**********

We have finally had some spring weather here.  Even a few days of summer weather.  An 85 degree day last week prompted a "coffee on the beach?" text.  We like the beach.

 

One of my favorite things to do is watch my kids play on the beach.  The same beach I played on when I was their age.  

 

Aunt TT is one of very few people this girl will go to.  She is starting to come out of her little shell.  Also-if you want to win her over, baby gold fish crackers win every time!

That water...cold...so cold.

While the crazies dipped their feet, I took pictures.  From afar.  Where my warm feet stayed dry.  

************
Hopefully it won't be another month before I update this again.

Karson's 3rd Birthdaay

I am not sure how it happened, but my little boy turned 3 at the beginning of the month.  He was SO excited about his birthday!  We made a birthday count down and each day we counted down how many days were left.  DJ had taken the day off, so we could spend the entire day as a family celebrating Karson.  The morning started with streamers at his door.  He woke up and was yelling from his room "um...Mommy...Daddy...move dis...please."  Then he realized they were fun and spent the entire morning playing with them.

Chocolate Chip waffles for breakfast.  With the "You are Special" plate & special glasses.

(Morning stretching)

Next up...a trip to the mall.  The carousal is always a favorite!

 

Bagger Daves for lunch.

They have a train that goes around the restaurant.

I don't care how their food tastes (it is really good though!!) it is my favorite restaurant.

My kid is occupied.

I am happy!

It is my new favorite restaurant.

We have been there 3 times since his birthday.

So we thought taking Karson ice skating at the outside rink down town was a good idea.

It wasn't.

He was terrified.

terrified.

He sobbed if DJ even tried to put him down.

He begged to go home.

We got in the car and decided we had to make it up to him...so we took him to the Children's Museum.

Much better choice!

 After hours at the Children's Museum, we came home for pizza, cake, and presents.

 

Karson has been asking for a Bumpa Truck cake for months...and months.

I love this grin. The "I'm 3 and am being told I have to smile before I can open these presents" smile.

Playing with his new Bruder Truck! 

A few pictures from his party a few days later...

Bumpa Truck Cake #2

Explaining pin the wheel on the semi truck.

 

He found the game to be absolutely hilarious!

Opening gifts...

Happy Brithday Munchkin!