Beach

Earlier in the summer we went on our annual beach trip to Florida. The day after we arrived a tropical storm decided to make a visit as well.  We arrived Saturday evening and when we woke Sunday morning the beach looked like this.

Not exactly what you want to see on your first day at the beach and really not what you want to see when you have big plans of digging in the sand, swimming in the water and are 6 and 3 years old.

The storm's eye was about 30 miles from us, so things did not seem very promising for the next several days.  We tried to make the best of it inside by playing games, reading books and just enjoying being together. 

I have to tell you that I am actually one that loves a rainy day or two on vacation but I would just prefer it not be on our first day.  Obviously, though, I don't get to choose what day it rains, so we had some fun and tried to enjoy the weather we were given.  When it was safe and the storm slowed down a bit we ventured outside to feel the rain and the wind and to look at all of the sea shells that washed up on the beach.

Finally by late Tuesday we saw glimpses of blue sky and, oh my goodness, we were so excited.

By Wednesday we woke up to the sun shining and it truly felt like summer vacation had arrived.

We had a lot to pack in...snorkeling, canoeing, riding the waves, flying kites, building sandcastles and I am happy to say we accomplished it all.  That is what I love about the vacation...there is nothing to do but play.

Every day there was something new to see, from the lizard who paid us a visit on our porch steps to the crane who stood in front of our beach house to the lost baby turtle my sister Bekah found (and saved).  Lily loved stopping and pointing out every single hole that she came across in the sand and all the little crab prints that surrounded each one.  Hannah was in and out of the water each day searching for little sea creatures that tried to bury themselves in the seaweed or the sand.

I love the beach and look forward each year to our next visit, but for now we are excited about our final summer adventure that will take us north to the mountains.  I am hoping some cooler temperatures are in our future.

{this moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Hosted by soulemama.

Flying by

Summer is quickly passing by (sigh) and in about 2 more weeks it will be back to school for one of my girls.  Too soon we will be back in the morning rush of getting ready for school and the afternoon rush of piano, dance and homework trying to fit it all in and make it to bed on time so we can wake up and start again the next day.  For now though I am so thankful for this time where there is no where to be but right here at home most days.  Our lazy days of summer have been so full of the everyday...the daily work of keeping house with lots of breaks for fun and creativity.  Hannah watches closely as I knit and will soon be ready to give it a go.  In the meantime she practices on her loom making potholders and purses for family and friends.  Most weeks we spend a good deal of time in the kitchen making bread, scones and other baked goodies.  I have to say there is not much better than homemade bread paired with fresh strawberry jam.

Many of our afternoons are spent reading from the big stack of books brought home from the library.  Little House on the Prairie readers and chapter books are our summertime favorite this year along with Amelia Bedelia and Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie who keep the giggles coming from Hannah and Lily as we read.

The heat of the summer keeps us inside more than we would like but when we do venture out in the mornings or late evenings most often there is plenty to see.  The lemons on our lemon tree are beginning to yellow a bit which is exciting, the hibiscus on our front porch brightens my day with it's constant new blooms, and I am happy to say that after 3 years of trying we finally have squash a plenty in our garden.

Our summer has been good and I am going to try to make the next couple of weeks last as long as possible.  Hope you are all enjoying these long hot days too!