Tag Archives: Beach

Quality time

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Yesterday was seriously packed full of STUFF!  It started out like any other Saturday with grocery shopping, exercise, etc.  Hubby’s plans to kayak with his buddy fell through and he went solo in the ocean.  When he got home we decided the girls and I would go with him back to the beach so they could kayak, too.  This would take place after lunch and AFTER our son’s haircut appointment.  Our oldest was skating/filming with friends and our youngest was headed to a friend’s house after his haircut, so off we went…the girls and Daddi-O.

Daddy's girls. Be still my heart!

We were racing the impending rain (which finally came at 3:30 a.m.  and kept me up until 4:30!!  WHATEVER!!)  and we actually WON!  The reality is, often it can rain on the mainland, but the ocean breeze will keep the beach dry far longer.  (Little FYI for ya)

Threatening rain....

Our oldest daughter went first and I played football with our youngest.

Heading back in

Then our youngest went out.  On the way in they actually capsized.  Thank heavens for lifevests.  Though for a brief moment I lost sight of our littlest, to which I am certain my heart actually stopped.  And then there they were, swimming in and our oldest daughter running down the beach until she could wrangle the kayak back to the beach.  As they came to shore, our youngest said, “It’s a good thing Dad was a lifeguard, Mom!”  Hubby said she did real well, she didn’t panic, she followed his instructions and both girls are ready to go AGAIN!!  Praise God for a calm Hubby!!

And then we went home and CLEANED!  Woo hoo!!

Easter time, spring is here. Allelujah!!

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Easter eggs ready for dyeing.  We don’t even hide the eggs anymore.  The dye stains my fingers, and yet….we just can’t seem to drop this tradition.  Something about writing on those eggs in white crayon, adding to color, mixing it up.  Easter fun, here to stay.

Spring time is perfect for strolling together and getting our cardio on.  Quality time with my big girl while our youngest practiced for Easter Mass with the liturgical dancers.  I want the pause button for times like these.

Daylight savings time=time for a walk on the beach after dinner.  Note to self:  check the tide schedule.  Soft sand+bad knee=killing the exercise routine.

Our sweetie pie was either kissing up to the Bunny or just grateful for the probability of her own personal stash of chocolate coming into her possession and wanted to express her gratitude. I like her style.

Pre-Mass.  The boys trying to decide the best location.  At this point is was…away from the ‘rents.

He is Risen, indeed!  Gearing up for the annual outdoor Easter Mass.

A gift from my dear friend.  The “Killer Cake” from Toojays.  She introduced me to this little lovely.  Now I gave up Facebook for Lent and was not lacking in chocolate prior to Easter.  But this.  Oh.  MY.  This will hit that chocolate sweet spot like nothing you’ve ever known.  As I was cutting the cake, the kids were giving me the “why-are -you-cutting-them-so-small” eyes;  by the time our oldest was hitting the mid-way point he changed his mind and asked “Why did you cut them so big?”.  Rich.  If you ate the whole thing, it would live up to its name and kill you.  Seriously.

Glorious Easter and Happy Spring, Y’all!

All in favor of a two-day work week, say “Aye!”

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Since taking three days off of work to spend time with the kids for their Spring Break, my “week” is two days at work and PHEW!, I’m ready for the weekend.

I forgot how HARD being a stay-at-home mom was.  It’s been awhile, forgive me, but OH.  MY.  GOODNESS!!   The chores.  The needs to be met.  Errands to be run.  Sheesh.  Fortunately for me, I decided early on Monday (about half way through errand running) that these days off would be about bon-bons and chillaxin’.  The rest would take care of itself somewhere along the week.  And this is what my week consisted of:

  1. Monday-Wednesday at 9 a.m.  attending our church’s Lenten mission to hear Father Richard Leonard speak on the history of the church and Mary, discernment and God’s will in our lives and forgiveness and faith.  Tremendously uplifting and Living Water for this thirsty soul, right when I needed it.  Very cool how “GOD-planned” to offer this retreat on my EXACT days off.
  2. Monday, Tuesday, and today (Friday), hit the gym with my girlfriend and got our strength training on.  And abs.  And cardio.  You know it’s a good exercise week when you are still feeling it on Friday from Tuesday!
  3. I was able to have our girls’ BFFs over to play each day I was off.  The boys are older and do “their own deal”, but it was nice to be able to get them breakfast and lunch and run them around a bit as well.  Not to mention how great it felt to be able to help out some moms and provide a fun day for their girls.  Having “been there, done that”, it is always a happy feeling when you know your kids are having fun with their friends and not bored at home, coming up with new ways to irritate the you-know-what out of each other.
  4. Dinner was taken care of.  Monday:  chicken and rice for the fam and I went out with the girls to celebrate my girlfriend’s 12th annual 38th birthday!  Tuesday:  crock pot.  Wednesday:  leftovers.  See?  Dinner was taken care of.
  5. We hit the beach.  Every day.  See previous posts from this week…..Sunscreen aplenty, boogie boards, beach toys, snacks and water.  Recharged!
  6. We tried out a scrumptious cupcake bakery in town.  (sorry, no link, no web-based orders, local only)  My youngest daughter and I had a hard time picking out a dozen minis to share with everyone.  Though the price was quite affordable, the calories are simply not a luxury and we will be making a wide berth.  Except for special occasions.  Maybe.
  7. Book 3 of Hunger Games, “Mockingjay” is downloaded to my Kindle.  Which is charged.  I have to work today, however, my lunch hour and free time between football games this weekend will be consumed by Katniss, Gale and Peeta and wrapping up this depressing, yet fascinatingly addictive series.

Things that didn’t get taken care of this week:

  1. Laundry.
  2. Spring cleaning
  3. Reorganizing the pots and pans (a mess, let me assure you!)
  4. Reorganizing the spices and pantry (I want it all in ONE spot)
  5. Purging the girl’s toys
  6. Purging the boy’s clothes
  7. Purging my clothes

No big deal.  It’s still there and it WILL get done.  However, the world will go on regardless, right?

See what other’s weeks looked like @ Conversion Diary’s Friday Quick Takes with Jen Fulwiler!

Have a blessed weekend!

The SALT. The SAND. The WAVES. The BREEZE. AHHHHHhhhhh!

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Spring Break is upon us, and while I don’t have the ENTIRE week off, I DO have these three days off!  So, we will be spending at LEAST a portion of every day soaking up the salt, the sun and the waves.  The girls have new suits (LOVE Walmart $9 suits!), fresh sunscreen, I have a book to read and the back of the truck is already set with chairs and beach toys.  We will vacuum on Wednesday….why bother until then?

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Apparently we aren’t the only ones getting in a post-Mass beach day.  Well….it IS Spring Break AND the end of Bike Week!  not to mention an absolutely GORGEOUS day!!

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one set of “bikes”….

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and another set of “Bikes”…it should be a little quieter around here now.

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You can find me here these next few days.  Text if you need me, I’ll answer when I can….

A weekend away…(but not too far!!)

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For the past four years, some of my girlfriends and I have had the amazing luxury of (ridiculously cheap) access to a phenomenal beach house in St. Augustine.  It is large enough to grant each of us “space”, even if there are 8 or 10 of us (this year 4 of us) and comfortably decorated enough to not feel lost in the enormity of the house.  Generally, we go in November and do some “Christmas shopping” but this year we opted for a post-holiday season retreat (November was booked..) and THAT was a seriously good call!!  And so, enjoy a (mostly) photo essay of the weekend!

Friday evening.  Subs for dinner @ 8:30 p.m. and a chick flick.

Saturday morning.  Peaceful.  Quiet.  Sunshiney.

A walk on the beach.  And surfers, too!  With snow in the Northeast this morning, THIS is the reason “snowbirds” got it goin’ on!!

I did NOT make my bed!!

Antiquing pre-lunch waiting for our name to be called at Osteen’s.  (cash only, baby!  super yum, super reasonable and worth the wait!…..about an hour!)

A one-man band.

Cobblestone streets.

Courtyards.

Graveyards.

The Cathedral.

Cupcakes @ Luli’s!  Yes.  I ate the WHOLE thing.  and I didn’t take a picture.   SO.  FLIPPIN’.  DELICIOUS!

Boots with the fur…the whole club was looking at her….(thanks, Flo-Rida…that’s all the lyrics I know, though, so you’ll have to YouTube it yourself, I’m not sure it’s appropriate to link here….)

Dinner.  Out.  Of course!  Creekside.  Sister restaurant to Saltwater Cowboys.  Both are wonderful!

Sunday morning after Mass.  One more walk on the beach…