Beach Time.

For some reason, we haven't been to the lakes around here for at least 10 years, probably 15.  I can't even remember the last time, but I remember Brian being a baby, so that puts us over 15 years.  Why did we stop going?  I can't remember that, either.

We told the kids we were going to a place with a lake and a beach.  Like the ocean?  No, not that big.  Are there waves?  No.  The sand is pebbly, not grainy.  There are woods, no boardwalk.  Oh, nevermind, just wait and see.  Will we like it?  I hope so...


They liked it.

It was a GREAT day.  Philip was able to toddle in and out of the water at will.  The beach area wasn't too wide so we could see from end to end, and see the kids at all times.  The older kids could swim out to the ropes ,but even there it was only 5 feet deep.  The sandy beach kept them occupied for hours.  There was a shower house, and the water was WARM!  I even got some quiet time to read.  They all thought it was amazing and as I was typing these words and choosing pictures, they drifted through the room and asked when we can go to that place again!

Bucket List.

At the end of June, the girls and I put together a Summer Bucket List, trying to find a bunch of free or low-cost activities that would make for a memorable summer.  Some of the activities we placed on our list are:

- attend the free kids' shows at the mall
- participate in the summer program at the library
- finally use the free passes to Knoebel's pool we won at a Chinese auction three years ago
- attend a minor league baseball game (the kids get free tickets through their kids club)
- sew something with Noelle
- make a batch of homemade soap
- go mini-golfing
- visit each of the closest state parks
- see a drive-in movie

I took a blotter calendar and covered my bedroom door with our bucket list and activities.  Little did I know that by putting this list on my bedroom door. Andy would take it as a personal challenge to check off as many of the boxes as possible.

I put "fix the leaky faucet" on there.  Remember, I put the list on the door at the end of June.  By July 6, after more than a year of dripping, he replaced the kitchen faucet. :)  The baseball game was July 19, and it was a great day, but we didn't think to take a camera along.  We've had quite a run of rainy days so far, but he kept an eye on the forecast, took a vacation day, and on the 17th we hit the beach at a state park.  To be continued. . .

Like Father, Like Son.

Sunday morning, Philip decided to get up and play at 3:00 a.m., so when the sun finally caught up with him, none of us were anywhere near ready to face the day.  

A Picture A Day: Twin Trouble

"We're going down the stairs," they said.  

"Pray for us!" they said.

Strollin' with Phil.

It's about time to update the photo on the wall, and get a nice shot for his birthday.  He's hard to pin down for a good picture.  This was my try for today.